What’s Cairns Got For The Tourist? Australia is a continent of stunning natural beauty and geographic diversity, and the state of Queensland, where the city of Cairns lies in the far north, is illustrative of that fact. A city of approximately 143,000, Cairns is sited on the east coast of
What’s Cairns Got For The Tourist?
Australia is a continent of stunning natural beauty and geographic diversity, and the state of Queensland, where the city of Cairns lies in the far north, is illustrative of that fact. A city of approximately 143,000, Cairns is sited on the east coast of Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula and was founded in 1876. The city itself is located about 1,700 kilometres from Brisbane and more than 2,700 kilometres from Sydney. Cairns enjoys a tropical climate and is a very popular tourist destination. Those visiting the city have their pick of car, motorhome and campervan hire companies, too. In fact, a camper van rented for a Cairns adventure may provide the perfect opportunity to visit sites in and around the city.
The Frankland Islands
Cairns lays along a seashore or, better yet, a seascape and the Cairns Reef, easily accessible by rental car, a hire campervan or a motorhome. The Frankland Islands make up a part of theCairns Reef Area and collectively the island themselves make up the Frankland Group National Park. Five isles make up the Franklands: High, Normanby, Mabel, Round and Russel. The islands themselves lie about 45 kilometres south of Cairns and about 10 kilometres offshore, though many reef tour operators await to transport visitors to them. The Frankland Islands are just a short drive south from Cairns.
Trinity Beach
Lying less than 20 kilometres from the Cairns city centre, Trinity Beach stretches for about 1.4 kilometres along the shoreline. Widely recognized as Cairns’ favourite beach, Trinity Beach is distinguished by its palm-fringed shore nestled between two headlands, providing a calmer water-going experience for adventurous snorkelers, divers and swimmers. There are also several world-class golf courses in and around Trinity Beach, including the Paradise Palms Golf & Country Club. Play on the Paradise Palms course is recognized as challenging, so be prepared to engage in a fair bit of rigorous golfing. Many dining opportunities are also on offer at Trinity Beach, ranging from fine dining to very casual. The world’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest can also be found in the Trinity Beach area.
Michaelmas and Upolu Cays National Park
Cairns visitors with a their own vehicle should try to make their way to Michaelmas and Upolu Cays National Park, about 21 kilometres east of the city. Two small cays along the Michaelmas Reef are a part of the much larger Great Barrier Reef and feature all the wild natural beauty offered by Australia. Michaelmas Cay is world famous for its migratory birds, including several species of terns, and the cay itself offers one of the few opportunities in all the continent to snorkel and dive in protected, calm waters. A quick drive from Cairns quickly brings one to the national park.
There are only a limited number of permits allowing visitors access to the Michaelmas Cay beach and only a few tour companies possess them, so planning ahead of time before visiting the Cay is a must. The national park, however, can accommodate many more day visitors and sightseers. Campervans and motorhomes can find plenty of welcoming camping grounds and caravan parks in and Cairns, as well, including Fitzroy Island and Babinda.