Toilets, showers & parking

You can find public toilets:

• Next to the Lagoon
• Near the Fun Ship playground (northern end of the Esplanade)
• In the McKenzie Street Parkland
• Near the beach volleyball courts
• At Muddy's playground – two locations, one at the northern end near the cafe and one at the southern end
• Fogarty Park, near the bus bays alongside the Southern Esplanade Carpark

Please note that the accessible toilets use the MLAK ( PDF, 0.9 MB ) national keying system. Council staff and lifeguards can provide assistance with access if required.

Showers and changing rooms are located next to the Lagoon.

There are also outdoor showers at the Lagoon and near the beach volleyball courts.

Coin-operated lockers are available for a small fee at the Lagoon and near the bus bays alongside the Southern Esplanade Car Park.

For more information or to report a fault, contact Council's customer service team on 1300 69 22 47.

There is on-street parking along the length of the Esplanade, as well as off-street car parks, listed below.

Hospital Esplanade Car Park

Location: opposite the Cairns Hospital (on the Esplanade), between Kerwin and Charlies streets
Available space: 100
Fee: $2.10 an hour
Paid parking hours: 8.30am to 5pm, weekdays
Free parking hours: after 5pm weekdays, all weekend and public holidays
Disability parking: no

McKenzie Street Car Park

Location: Esplanade parkland, near McKenzie Street intersection
Available spaces: 65 spaces
Paid parking hours: no fee
Free parking hours: parking is always free
Disability parking: yes

Skate Park Car Park

Location: Esplanade parkland, near Upward Street / Esplanade intersection
Available spaces: 96 spaces
Paid parking hours: no fee
Free parking hours: parking is always free, time limited to 3 hours between 8.30am and 5pm weekdays, and 8.30am to 11.30am Saturday.
Disability parking: yes

Southern Esplanade (Lagoon) Car Park

Location: next to the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, accessed from Pier Point Road
Available spaces: 290
Fee: $2.10 an hour
Paid parking hours: 6am to 10pm, 7 days
Free parking hours: after 10pm every day and all day public holidays
Disability parking: yes

If you've lost an item on the Esplanade, please check with the lifeguards at the Lagoon.