Experience Cairns
Events & festivals
Explore our upcoming and annual events, including markets, community celebrations, festivals and more.
Botanic Gardens
The Cairns Botanic Gardens is a tropical paradise, renowned for having one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in Australia. The Gardens are open daily 7.30am to 5.30pm, and entry is free.
Cairns Esplanade
Featuring the iconic Cairns Lagoon, Muddy's Playground, award-winning skate plaza, and shaded paths and parklands, the Esplanade has something for locals and visitors alike.
Parks, beaches & community venues
With hundreds of parks, reserves and community facilities across the Cairns region, there are many hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered.
Cairns Libraries
Council manages 8 public libraries at Babinda, Cairns City, Earlville, Edmonton, Gordonvale, Manunda, Smithfield and Stratford.
Active Living free fitness classes
Our Active Living program offers free, introductory level fitness classes suitable for all ages.
Go Clubs
Go Clubs is a Cairns Regional Council initiative aimed at guiding you and your community club through a professionally managed development program.
Online maps
Council provides maps to help residents wanting to build, plan for emergencies and find recreational and leisure activities and facilities. Maps are available either through online mapping tools or as easy-to-download PDF documents.
Sister cities
Sister Cities foster meaningful links with communities in other countries, promote international goodwill and share economic, community, cultural and social interaction
Arts & culture
Be creative and see creative. Find a show, exhibition or performance. Or access information about arts opportunities in Cairns, including grants, support and residencies.
Sport and leisure
Cairns Regional Council offers a range of sporting facilities and opportunities for residents and visitors. Our Go Clubs initiative provides valuable resources, advice and collaboration.
Facts, figures & history
Geography & population, First People's history, post-European settlement history, suburb & street names, city symbols.
Living in Cairns
Cairns is a very special part of the world and our residents enjoy a great way of life. Our unparalleled natural attractions, superb climate and tropical lifestyle make this one of Australia’s most desirable places to live, visit and do business.
Last Updated: 5 October 2021
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