Cairns: Australia’s Premier Destination for Women’s Sport

Council is championing a vision to establish Cairns as Australia’s premier destination for women’s sport. As a Tier 1 advocacy priority, this initiative seeks to position Cairns as a nationally recognised hub for women’s sporting events, athlete development, participation and high-performance pathways, while delivering lasting economic and community benefits for the region.

With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, Cairns is uniquely placed to leverage its world-class lifestyle, tropical climate, growing sporting infrastructure and strong track record of hosting major events. The Cairns Premier Destination for Women’s Sport Action Plan provides the roadmap to capitalise on this opportunity and create a lasting legacy for women and girls across Far North Queensland.

Why this matters

Women’s sport is experiencing unprecedented growth in Australia and internationally. Cairns has a significant opportunity to build on this momentum by attracting elite competitions, increasing participation, supporting athlete pathways and strengthening the region’s reputation as a destination of choice for sporting events and training camps.

The initiative is about more than sport. It is about creating opportunities for women and girls, supporting healthy and connected communities, driving tourism, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth across the region.

By investing in women’s sport, Cairns can deliver outcomes that extend beyond the playing field, including:

• Increased visitation and visitor expenditure
• Greater national and international profile for Cairns
• Improved participation and health outcomes
• Enhanced opportunities for women and girls
• New partnerships and investment opportunities
• Long-term community and economic benefits

Building on strong foundations

Cairns has already established itself as a leading regional sporting destination. Significant investments and partnerships are creating a strong platform for future growth, including:

• The AFLW Northern Nest partnership
• Major upgrades and redevelopment opportunities at Barlow Park
• Support for the North Queensland Cowboys Community Development and High Performance Centre, including facilities that will support the club’s NRLW program
• A proven track record of successfully hosting major national and international sporting events

The Action Plan builds on this momentum and provides a coordinated approach to growing women’s sport across the region.

The 10-Point Action Plan

The Action Plan outlines a strategic program of work to be delivered in partnership with government, sporting organisations, industry and the community.