Guide to Cairns
Queensland
Cairns At the north east coast of Australia, Cairns has become the gateway to the tropics. It boasts not only lush World Heritage listed tropical rainforests but is also the home to the famous Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is the third most popular tourist destination in Australia, so with this in mind, this city has plenty to offer the traveller. It is often the finishing or starting point of the popular backpacking route of the east coast. This is aided by having a major airport, making it an ideal jumping point when traversing the country.
Public Transport:
Apart from by foot, the cheapest way to get around Cairns and surrounding areas is by public transport. You can plan your journey anywhere in Queensland by visiting www.translink.com.au or by dialling 131230
Tours, activities and places of interest:
The Great Barrier Reef: The world famous Great Barrier Reef is one of the greatest natural phenomena in the world. This massive coral reef is the only living structure visible from space. Consisting of roughly 2900 individual reefs, it stretches over about 2000 kilometers. The reef is teeming with millions of vibrantly coloured fish and equally impressive coral formations. If you come to this part of Australia, you simply must take a visit to the reef. There are many tour operators that offer boat trips, where you can snorkel, dive or even take a helicopter or submersible.
The Esplanade: Unfortunately Cairns does not have a useable beach. The shoreline can be home to jellyfish and even salt water crocodiles. So, to make things safer, the local council have constructed a simulated beach - complete with sand, fountains and excellent lifeguard cover. There are public barbeques for use and toilet facilities. It's an ideal place to chill out if you have been partying too much or are recovering from strenuous tours and activities.
Cape Tribulation & Port Douglas: Although places in their own right, many people choose to visit these areas on tours from Cairns itself. They are more characteristically situated in rainforest surroundings. The Daintree forest, part of Cape Tribulation, is the world's oldest and most primitive rainforest in the world, dated at 135 million years old. Witness the vast array of wildlife and plantlife that this unique region has to offer. There are many tours and jungle adventures which can extend into several days in length.
Museums and Galleries:
* Cairns Museum
* Cairns Regional Gallery
Nightlife
There is a vibrant nightlife scene in Cairns. Many of the hostels issue food vouchers for some of the venues which either get you money off or even free meals. This suggests that there is a highly competitive nightlife, with the venues obviously trying to get people into their doors and then keeping them - which is good news for the backpacker!
Here's a a few of the bars popular with the backpacking scene:
Gilligans: Part of the huge hostel complex of the same name. This is a huge modern venue which seems to be popular with backpackers and locals alike. Very classy in comparison to some of the other backpacker joints.
Woolshed: This is probably the most famous backpacking bar in Cairns. It's a loud, boozy, dancing on the table venue that packs out each and every night of the week. It offers reasonable meals during the daytime and early evening. Some hostels offer free or money off food vouchers for this venue.
Sporties: A bar which tries to be a sports bar and also a backpacker bar at the same time. Offers cheap meals and free meals to backpackers with vouchers. We found, however, on several occasions that staff would try to charge you full price on drinks unless you specified you were aware of the promotions, so beware. Other than that, it pretty quiet until later on into the night.
PJ O'briens:
Part of the large Irish pub chain. Again, has meal offers for backpackers. Also has theme nights including 'Coyote Ugly' night where staff dance on the bar and similar themes.
Mad Cow:
Not really a backpacker venue but more of a young locals joint. Distinctively painted on the outside, you just cant miss it. Friendly and a nice break from the usual backpacker joints and an opportunity to speak to a real Australian! The manager approched us and bought us a drink, so it cant be too bad!
