Cairns, North Queensland, Travel Information

Cairns gets its beach back

For years its beaches were one of the great disappointments for first-time visitors to Cairns, with boggy mudflats instead of stretches of white sand. Until now. The mudflats were created when dredging began to allow large vessels into Trinity Wharf, Cairns’ working harbour. Now a major redevelopment of the waterfront in Cairns has seen the establishment of a beautiful beach for the enjoyment of both Cairns residents and the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit this stepping stone to the Great Barrier Reef.

Unique accommodation Cairns & Far North Queensland

Surrounded by sandy beaches, the 4,000 square metres of water keeps an ambient temperature for year-round swimming, with a massive state-of-the-art salt-water chlorination and filtration plant ensuring crystal-clear swimming water. Surrounding the swimming lagoon are new parklands with tropical gardens and wide vistas that link to both the CBD and the Cairns Foreshore Promenade that, when complete, will have 600 metres of timber boardwalks stretching north from the swimming lagoon, capturing the sweeping views across Trinity Inlet.

The Cairns foreshore is a perfect spot for birdwatching, walking, cycling or simply enjoying a picnic. Educational nodes will provide information about the city’s environmental and cultural history. Perhaps the best-known rainforest area of the Tropical North is the Daintree Rainforest. Here the velvety green mantle of the forest slopes plunge to the aqua waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, where fringing reefs grow almost to the shore.

Over 150 species of trees can be found – which is more than the entire continent of Europe or North America. Some individual trees have even been dated at over 3,000 years old. Nowhere else can one experience these two natural wonders side by side, where World Heritage-listed reef and rainforest meet.

The Skyrail, which sweeps visitors in the longest (seven kilometres) gondola ride in the world between Kuranda Rainforest Station and Smithfield, takes you right through the canopy of pristine forest, with several opportunities to stop, take photographs and learn more about the rainforest.

There are literally hundreds of activities on offer in and around Cairns. Give yourself a few more days – you’ll need them.