Sightseeing OverviewCairns’ main sightseeing attractions are the
two World Heritage listed sites to its north and east. The
Great Barrier Reef is one of the most diverse marine habitats on earth, home to millions of fish and other creatures, and the section of the reef off the Cairns coast is easier to access than anywhere else because the outer reef is so shallow and close to the shore. The
Daintree Rainforest is one of the best preserved in the world, and some of the plant species still living here have been around since the time of the dinosaurs.
Tourist attractions
such as the
Skyway Rainforest Cableway make the rainforest accessible to everyone, whilst the
Flecker Botanic Gardens and
Cairns Rainforest Dome bring the plants and animals of the rainforest to the city. The history of human habitation in this unique area has also produced some interesting attractions such as the
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, the
Cairns Museum and the
Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Center.
Tourist InformationTourism Tropical North Queensland Gateway Discovery Center 51 The Esplanade
Tel: (07) 4051 3588.
Website:
www.tropicalaustralia.com.au The center is open seven days a week.
The Tropical North’s tourism magazine,
Passport to Cairns, provides valuable information for visitors and is available free of charge from the tourist office. It is published monthly.
PassesThere are no combined tourism passes available in Cairns at present.
Key Attractions:Cairns Rainforest Dome This quite extraordinary zoo, located in the domed roof of a hotel in central Cairns, allows visitors to get up close to fascinating Australian fauna, such as koalas, snakes and kookaburras, but the star exhibit is the truly immense 4m (13ft) long saltwater crocodile, nicknamed Goliath, which can be viewed underwater through its glass tank.
Top level, Reef Hotel Casino, 35-41 Wharf Street
Tel: (07) 4031 7250.
Website:
www.cairnsdome.com.au
Cairns Regional Gallery Cairns Regional Gallery, housed within the majestic old Public Offices Building, displays a wide variety of work by many of Far North Queensland’s finest contemporary artists and also houses touring exhibitions of work by some of Australia’s most significant artists.
Corner of Abbott and Shields Streets
Tel: (07) 4046 4800.
Website:
www.cairnsregionalgallery.com.au Skyway Rainforest Cableway The
Skyway Rainforest Cableway begins 15km (9 miles) north of Cairns and carries visitors over 7.5km (4.5 miles) of pristine rainforest to the beautiful rainforest village of Kuranda. It provides riders with unique views of the lush canopy of the ancient rainforest, as well as breathtaking views of the Barron Gorge and Falls.
Corner Kamerunga Road and Cook Highway, Smithfield
Tel: (07) 4038 1555.
Website: www.skyrail.com.au
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
Australia’s first Aboriginal cultural attraction, opened in 1987 (and still the one with the most awards to its name),
Tjapukai, is located in a 25-acre park just 15 minutes north of central Cairns. Visitors can watch traditional song and dance, learn about aboriginal beliefs and history and even try their hand at boomerang and spear throwing, didgeridoo playing or boomerang painting.
Kamerunga Road, Smithfield
Tel: (07) 4042 9900.
Website:
www.tjapukai.com.au Flecker Botanic Gardens A walk through the
Flecker Botanic Gardens, much wilder than most of Australia’s botanic gardens, feels almost like a walk through the rainforest. The gardens are located only 5km (3 miles) from the city center, and attractions include the Fernery, Orchid House and Aboriginal Plant Use section.
Collins Avenue, Edge Hill
Tel: (07) 4044 3398.
Website:
www.cairns.qld.gov.au Further Distractions:Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Center This quirky little museum, from which all proceeds go to the
Royal Flying Doctor service, includes a fascinating video presentation about the history and continued importance of this innovative way of bringing medical care to remote outback communities. The star exhibit is a real Flying Doctors aircraft, parked in the garden, which visitors can explore at their leisure.
1 Junction Street, Edge Hill
Tel: (07) 4053 5687.
Website:
www.flyingdoctorqueensland.net
The Cairns Museum This somewhat old-fashioned local museum, run by volunteers from the
Cairns Historical Society, is packed with interesting exhibits, showcasing various elements of Cairns’ history. Star artifacts include an extensive collection of weapons and hunting implements made by Aboriginal rainforest dwellers and the contents of a demolished Chinese Temple formerly located in the city center. Recent additions include exhibits on tourism and mining in the area.
Corner of Shields and Lake Streets
Tel: (07) 4051 5582.
Website:
www.cairnsmuseum.org.au/museum.html
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The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
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