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.

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.

Cairns celebrates 150 years

Cairns is celebrating 150 years in 2026, with a program of milestones and community events taking place throughout the year.

Last Updated: 1 June 2026

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