Located at the Pier, Cairns Koalas & Creatures takes you on a journey through Australia's diverse landscapes. From the vibrant Great Barrier Reef to the tranquil mangroves, lush rainforests, sprawling woodlands, and finally, the rugged outback, learn about the importance of protecting our natural heritage. Create lasting memories with a souvenir photo with the iconic Koala. Last entry 4pm daily. 

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Tickets: From $20

The world class Cairns Convention Centre is everything you would expect from an international purpose-built venue located amidst natures pristine playground. The design of the Cairns Convention Centre expansion is inspired by the views of the Trinity Inlet and engaging with the water, the city and the environment. Home of the Cairns Taipans NBL team. Recently completed $17.6 million refurbishment.

At 3 am Friday morning, the market is a hive of activity as final touches are applied and pricing tickets are written up. And before the sun has risen the first customer makes a tentative appearance. From that point on, Rusty’s Market transforms into an event that goes far beyond the selling of fruit and vegetables. For three tumultuous days, stallholders and customers banter,

barter, are entertained, and meet friends old and new.

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Over the last years 30 years, Rusty’s Market has earned a rightful place as the unofficial cultural heart of Cairns a meeting place where people come together. Tourists from all over Australia and around the world visit the market as part of their Cairns ‘must do’ agenda.

The Esplanade Lagoon covers an area of approximately 4,800 square meters (52,000 square feet).

Capacity: It can accommodate around 700 to 800 people at one time.

Depth: The lagoon varies in depth from 0.3 meters (1 foot) in the shallow areas to 1.5 meters (5 feet) in the deeper sections.

Construction: The lagoon was officially opened in 2003 as part of the Cairns Esplanade redevelopment.

Lifeguard Service: Lifeguards are on duty daily from 6 am to 7 pm to ensure visitor safety.

The Cairns Esplanade stretches for about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) along the waterfront and features a 1.5-kilometer (0.9-mile) boardwalk through the mangroves.

Multiple Playgrounds: The Esplanade includes a large, modern playgrounds and to water parks with facilities for children of all ages.  A Skatepark, Volleyball, Bouldering, Grass Fields plus 3 main fitness stations along the esplanade that are free to use

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Picnic Areas: There are over 40 picnic tables and free BBQ facilities available for public use.

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Public Art: Several public art installations and sculptures are scattered along the Esplanade, celebrating local culture and nature.

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The Sailors` and Soldiers` War Memorial is a clock tower surmounted by a statue of a `digger` which was erected in memory of the 142 fallen of World War One. The names of two women appear on the list of the fallen.

Originally the memorial had a 4-faced electric clock, which served as the town clock however the clock is now missing and clock dials have since been painted to represent 4.28am, the time of the original landing of the ANZAC`s on Gallipoli.

The memorial was the most costly World War One memorial in Queensland.

The monument was erected by the people of Cairns and surviving members of the Catalina Squadrons to commemorate the 320 airmen who failed to return while flying Catalinas in the South West Pacific campaigns during World War Two.  Further plaques were added to the memorial in 1993.

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The Catalina was designed in the 1930s as a long-range reconnaissance flying boat. The Royal Australian Air Force (R.A.A.F.) used them not just for reconnaissance and rescue, but also as bombers in the war against the Japanese. The Catalina`s had the highest loss rate of any R.A.A.F. aircraft in the south-west Pacific area. The Catalinas operated out of Cairns during World War Two.

Offering scenic walking tracks through tropical rainforest and eucalyptus woodlands whichcovers around 300 hectares.

Red Arrow Track - Short & Popular

Length: 1.3 kilometers (loop).

Elevation Gain: About 160 meters.

Duration: 30–45 minutes.

Track Type: Paved and well-maintained, ideal for beginners or a short workout.

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Blue Arrow Track - Long & Challenging

Length: 5.4 kilometers (loop).

Elevation Gain: Over 300 meters.

Duration: 3–4 hours.

Track Type: A rugged natural trail that includes steep sections, making it suitable for experienced hikers.

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Free Entry

The Cairns Botanic Gardens is a tropical paradise, renowned as one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in Australia. Come and explore the beauty of tropical plants, relax in stunning surroundings and learn about tropical flora and horticulture.

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• Rainforest Boardwalk

• Flecker Garden

• Fitzalan Garden 

• Aboriginal Garden

• Bamboo Collection

• Salt Water Lake

• Fresh Water Lake

• Chinese Friendship Garden

• BBQ Area

• Children Playground 

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FREE ENTRY

The Chinese Friendship Garden in Cairns, located at Centenary Lakes in the Cairns Botanic Gardens, is a symbol of the strong relationship between Cairns and its sister city, Zhanjiang in Guangdong Province, China. The garden, known as the Zhanjiang Friendship Garden, was officially opened in 2015 to celebrate 10 years of sister city relations. The garden aims to foster cultural exchange and strengthen ties between the two cities since the signing in August 2004. The estimated cost of the project was $800,000

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FREE ENTRY

The Tobruk Memorial Pool in Cairns is an iconic swimming facility with a rich history. It was built to honor the soldiers who fought in the Siege of Tobruk during World War II, particularly the Australian soldiers known as the Rats of Tobruk. The pool has undergone several upgrades over the years and remains a key community facility for both recreational and competitive swimming.

The Tobruk Memorial Pool was originally opened in 1962 as a tribute to the Australian soldiers who took part in the famous 241-day Siege of Tobruk during World War II in 1941.

 In 2016 a $23.9 million redevelopment took place modernise the facilities with a wave pool, hydrotherapy pool, and the FlowRider, as well as updated amenities.

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ADULT ENTRY $7.3

The Cairns Performing Arts Centre opened on 15 December 2018, providing an extraordinarily enhanced audience experience and a state-of-the-art facility. The Cairns Performing Arts Centre is the beating heart of Tropical North Queensland’s vibrant arts and culture scene. From major theatre shows

and music concerts to more intimate local performances, The Cairns Performing Arts Centre is the venue that connects regional Queensland to national and international touring artists and companies. For example the Nutcracker Ballet will be here in October.

A must-visit attraction for tourists interested in the unique marine and freshwater ecosystems of Tropical North Queensland. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the diverse aquatic life found in the Great Barrier Reef, the Wet Tropics Rainforest, and the surrounding river systems.

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Tickets: From $58

10% Discount Offer

The Cairns City Council Chambers was constructed in 1929–1930 and is a substantial reinforced concrete structure located on a large corner site surrounded by parkland. The building was erected during the third major phase of Cairns' development, between the first and secondWorld Wars, at which time the city's status as the principal port of far north Queensland was consolidated and the city centre virtually re-built.

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In  2012 the building officially became the Cairns City Library

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FREE ENTRY

Cairns Regional Gallery is a public art museum/gallery established in Tropical North Queensland to foster greater understanding of history, heritage and culture through visual arts and crafts. Opened in 1995, the Gallery is housed in a heritage-listed State Government building which also provides an insight

into the history of Cairns. The Gallery is one of Australia’s most innovative regional galleries, with a unique Pacific-Rim identity and a commitment to promoting the visual art of Tropical North Queensland.

Cairns Regional Gallery is open from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday and from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday

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FREE ENTRY

Explores the history, culture, and stories of the traditional owners of the land, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly the local Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people - highlighting their connection to the land, traditional practices, and the impact of European colonization.

World War II History: Cairns played a key role during WWII as a military base. The museum contains displays on the city’s wartime experiences, including bomb shelters, military equipment, and the local civilian response to the war.

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Tickets From $16.50

Cairns Central is the largest shopping centre in Cairns, located in the heart of the city. It offers a wide range of retail, dining, and entertainment options, making it a key destination for both locals and tourists. Cairns Central provides an all-in-one shopping, dining, and entertainment experience, making it a convenient stop for tourists looking for retail therapy, movie outings, or a place to grab a meal.

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Open 9AM - 5:30PM

Gazetted in 1887, the McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery is the oldest surviving cemetery in Cairns, and as such it marks the final burial place of 2,500 of the earliest residents of the Cairns region. Although the cemetery contains over 2500 graves, many of these are yet to be located. Sub-surface graves, identified with the use of a metal detector locating grave number markers, have each been marked with a small concrete plinth. 

Notiable grave here is Edward Albert Koch (1843-1901) was a German-born medical practitioner in Cairns, known for his treatment of malaria and his early recognition of the role played by mosquitoes in transmitting the disease. Dr Koch's fever remedy and preventative measures played a significant role in

controlling endemic malaria in far North Queensland in the late 19th century and first half of the 20th century.