Cairns Australia is as varied in natural treasures as the cosmopolitan blend of cultures and peoples that call this region home. First to come were the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders… Followed by the Dutch navigators and in the end Captain James Cook, who claimed the coast for Britain and paved the way for European settlement to begin. Gold rushes and foreign wars introduced immigrants from around the planet to enrich the north with their skills, traditions and cultures.
The majestic coral structures that make up the Great Barrier Reef extend over 1, 500 kilometres, and are home to the greatest diversity of fauna species and flora discovered in any one region in the entire world. The scope of the reef is magnificent, encompassing some 21, 900 individual reefs and an area of 348, 000 square kilometres greater than the combined total area of Ireland and the United Kingdom! The Great Barrier Reef, these days a national marine park, features fantastic recreational pursuits which include snorkelling, diving, swimming, semi-submersibles, coral observing and fishing, and offers a precise environment for scientific studies.
The rainforests of the Wet Tropics, a’living museum’ of flora and fauna, were placed on the World Heritage List in 1988 and cover an region of just about 900, 000 hectares of rainforest and tropical plants. Here, pockets of primitive vegetation have remained undisturbed for millions of years, and rare, even previously unidentified species of birds, bugs and mammals have emerged to pleasure biologists and nature lovers.
The warmth of the tropical climate has fostered a vigorous outdoor lifestyle, reflected in the architectural styles of open verandahs and balconies and extending to the most traditional of Australian cuisine- the barbecue. Dining is a high point of any holiday, and the cosmopolitan local restaurants, cafes and eateries offer an eclectic fare of Australian and international cuisine, the highlight of most menus featuring the region’s mouth-watering fresh seafoods and unusual tropical fruits.
Accommodation in the region is diverse too, ranging from luxury resorts and five star hotels to award winning budget style apartments and backpacker lodges.
There are so many specific sights and activities to view when you pay a visit to us… Cruise to the reef or islands, take a 4WD safari to the outback, trek into the rainforest or view it from the rainforest cableway above its green canopy on your way to or from Kuranda. Day touring in this place is so convenient- there are over 600 trips to select from, and our tourism industry and infrastructure is developed to ensure you, the guest, will have a truly memorable vacation.
Cairns, the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, is a 1700 km drive from Queenslands State Capital- Brisbane. It is possible to drive to Cairns from Brisbane on Highway This requires at minimum two days on the other hand is best driven over the course of a week or so to soak up all of the attractions along the way.
Cairns has an International and Domestic airport that is located a ten minute drive from the city. All flights are met by taxis and a taxi ride costs approximately twenty to the city.
An airport shuttle bus also operates and is . 50/person.
Cairns is a 2 hour flight from Brisbane and a 3 hour direct flight from Sydney.