Munro Martin Parklands
Opening hours
- Open 6.30am to 6.30pm, seven days a week except ticketed event days.
- The gates are locked when the park is closed.
- Please check our MMP Facebook page for the most recent status.
As Munro Martin Parklands is an outdoor venue shows will proceed rain or shine. Read our full weather advice.
If you are interested in hiring the venue more information can be found here or send a request to mmp@cairnsperformingartscentre.com.au
Frequently asked questions
Further information about getting here, parking and more is provided on the visiting page.
Questions about events
General information
Cairns' premier outdoor events space
Nestled in the heart of Cairns, Munro Martin Parklands is one of Far North Queensland's most distinctive outdoor venues. This vibrant green space seamlessly blends culture, community and nature.
Following a major redevelopment and reopening in 2016, the Parklands have become the city's premier outdoor performance and event destination, welcoming tens of thousands of residents and visitors to concerts, festivals, community celebrations, film screenings, dance, theatre and cultural experiences. Throughout the year, the venue also serves as an open, accessible public park, providing a peaceful place for relaxation, recreation, and everyday enjoyment.
A decade of memorable moments
Over the past ten years, Munro Martin Parklands has hosted an extraordinary range of events, attracting internationally acclaimed artists, leading Australian performers and some of Queensland's most celebrated cultural organisations.
The stage has welcomed major music acts including Jimmy Barnes, Missy Higgins, Angus & Julia Stone, John Butler, Vance Joy, Matt Corby, Tones And I, Passenger, Xavier Rudd, Ziggy Alberts, The Jungle Giants, Kate Miller-Heidke, Washington, Neil and Liam Finn, Boy & Bear and Midnight Oil.
The Parklands has also become a premier destination for orchestral and theatrical performances, hosting Queensland Symphony Orchestra concerts, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Opera Queensland productions including The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and Ruddigore, or The Witch's Curse!, alongside performances from The Australian Ballet, Queensland Ballet and even The Royal Ballet.
Audiences have also experienced world-class contemporary performance through productions by Circa, Djuki Mala and other leading Australian arts organisations.
A home for festivals and community events
Munro Martin Parklands has established itself as a gathering place for Cairns, regularly hosting some of the region's most popular festivals and community events.
The venue has proudly supported:
- Cairns Festival
- Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF)
- EcoFiesta
- Cairns Food & Wine Festival
- Understory Film Festival
- Queensland Ballet Regional Tours
- Queensland Symphony Orchestra performances
- CPAC Open Days and Music in the Parklands events
- Dream Aloud
- Jazz Under the Jade Vines
- Jazz Picnic
- Big Talk One Fire
From large-scale cultural celebrations and outdoor cinema experiences to family-friendly activities and environmental festivals, the Parklands continues to provide a welcoming space for community connection and shared experiences.
An everyday park for everyone
While Munro Martin Parklands has earned a reputation as one of regional Australia's leading outdoor event venues, it remains much more than a performance space. For most of the year, the Parklands functions as a beautifully landscaped urban oasis, featuring expansive lawns, lush tropical gardens and a network of vine-covered arbours and pergolas that create shaded, inviting spaces for everyday enjoyment. The venue's iconic trellises support hundreds of climbing plants, including spectacular flame-of-the-forest vines and the striking turquoise blooms of the rare jade vine, which have become one of the Parklands' most photographed natural features.
Whether enjoying lunch beneath the leafy canopy, wandering through the flowering walkways, meeting friends in the open-air plaza or attending a major event under the tropical night sky, Munro Martin Parklands offers a unique place where community, culture and nature come together. Designed to encourage both large-scale gatherings and everyday use, the Parklands remains a beloved green heart of the city.
Looking ahead
As Munro Martin Parklands celebrates its tenth anniversary as an event-capable venue, it continues to evolve as a cultural cornerstone for Cairns. With an impressive history of performances, festivals and community celebrations behind it, the Parklands remains committed to creating memorable experiences and bringing people together through arts, culture and community for years to come.
History
Read more about this venue's long history.