Road and traffic changes for Cairns Festival

Cairns Festival Grand Parade is set to take over the Esplanade on Saturday 29 August, bringing colour, music, and thousands of cheering spectators together for one of the biggest community celebrations of the year.

Council advises of the following changed traffic conditions and road closures associated with this year’s event:

Friday 28 August – Cairns Festival opening night

• Esplanade Dining Precinct closed 5pm-10pm

Saturday 29 August – Grand Parade

• Lake St (from Minnie St to Florence St) 5am-10pm
• Minnie St (from Lake St to The Esplanade) 2pm-10pm
• The Esplanade (from Minnie to Spence St) 5am-10pm
• Pier Point Rd (half road closure) – No access to bus stops – 5am-10pm
• The Pier Carpark (total closure) 5am-10pm

Sunday 6 September – Carnival on Collins from 5AM-5PM

• Part Collins Ave (between McLean St and Mayers St)
• McCormack St (between Collins Ave and Walsh St)
• Goodwin St (between McCormack St and Macdonnell St)
• Walsh St (between McCormack St and Macdonnell St)
• Friend St (between Collins Ave and Walsh St)

Changes to Esplanade Lagoon – Thursday 27 August to Sunday 6 September

The Esplanade lagoon will be closed to the public from 6.30pm every evening from Thursday 27 August to Sunday 6 September (inclusive) to allow for the Canvas of Cairns show.

Assess to the Lagoon and surrounding areas of the Esplanade will also temporarily change due to Cairns Festival events.

Some sections may be restricted or closed to allow for the show equipment to remain set and to keep public safe.