Downtown/CBD

Cairns city center is also known as the CBD (central business district) the suburb located in the center of town and the local government area. The area is laid out in a grid pattern making it easy to navigate; the streets are flat and the area is small making it a great place to walk around and explore. Some of the streets that are known for popular restaurants, bars, and nightclubs include Grafton, Sheridan and Spence Streets; the Cairns Central Shopping Center is situated off Bunda and Spence Street where the main bus and train station can be found with bus stops all around this area. Spence Street leads all the way down to the pier which is the main departure point for all the boat tours, as Cairns is the gateway to The Great Barrier Reef along with Fitzroy Island and Green Island.

The Esplanade

The Esplanade is a 2-mile long promenade along the waterfront of Cairns. The area starts at the north end of Wharf Street by the Marinas and runs all the way down to the start of Lily Street by the North Cairns Reserve. This area is perfect for walking, biking with outdoor recreational areas such as tropical parks, grassy picnic areas, volleyball courts, a skate park and playgrounds with a few spots perfect for bird watching. Cairns is an oceanfront paradise making The Esplanade a very popular attraction and one of the best areas to visit is The Lagoon a 4,800 SQ meter outdoor saltwater swimming pool with wooden decking for sunbathing, the pool can fit a 1,000 people at one time and is a great way to cool off and enjoy the ocean views. On the bustling Esplanade, you will find most of the restaurants that featured here in Cairns, many with an ocean view along with art, markets, shops, cafes, hotels, and apartments.

Kuranda

Kuranda is the `Village in the Rainforest` a picturesque mountain retreat located 15 miles northwest of Cairns in Far North Queensland surrounded by the World Heritage Rainforest. This tiny village is surrounded by stunning natural beauty featuring local markets, alfresco cafes, restaurants, shops, art and many attractions. Two things that make this such a unique destination are the transportation options offered to get to Kuranda including the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the Scenic Kuranda Railway, soar above the rainforest or glide through historic tunnels.