Beloved Lagoon's maintenance program

If you ask someone to think about Cairns, they likely think of the iconic Esplanade Lagoon.

The much-loved 3.5 megalitre saltwater landmark totals 4,800 square metres and can accommodate up to 1000 people at once. The Lagoon offers a year-round safe community swimming location for tourists, children and families, with lifeguards on duty during opening hours.

On average, 100,000 to 150,000 people visit the Lagoon each month, with more than 25 million visitors since its opening in March 2003.

Since opening, a biennial maintenance program has been in place for the Cairns Lagoon. Council undertakes the 5-week, all-required maintenance during a planned closure every two years. This is designed to take place at a time of year with low patronage, cooler weather, and avoiding Queensland school holidays and major events.

The maintenance also must be scheduled outside the wet season to ensure the best possible outcome for concrete repairs and grout replacement while the water is drained.

The maintenance program includes:

• Repair and rectification of render defects and concrete damage
• Replenishment of 78 tonnes of sand
• Repainting of the amenities building and renewal of signage
• Cleaning and polishing of the iconic Woven Fish
• Timber decking repairs

Entrance to the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is free. The parklands around the Lagoon provides excellent barbecue facilities, amenities, and great access to popular Cairns restaurants and the beautiful Reef-Eye Ferris Wheel.

The biennial maintenance program is funded through Council's adopted 2026/27 Budget as part of the $4.2 million renewal program for the Cairns Esplanade, Muddy's Playground and Lagoon.