Showing 1-9 of 9 results
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Cairns Foreshore Promenade
The undisputed highlight of the Cairns Foreshore Promenade is the 4800-sq-m saltwater swimming lagoon, a feat in landscape architecture bringing the beach-cum-swimming experience to the heart of the city. Fitness enthusiasts blade, cycle or just walk the 3km Esplanade Walking Trail, and travellers meander lazily up and down the Esplanade, popping into restaurants and shops until the wee hours.
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Cairns Museum
Cairns Museum has some interesting historical displays on life in the Far North. Run by the Cairns Historical Society, it's housed in the beautiful School of Arts building, which dates back to 1907 and features a lovely wide verandah typical of local architecture. While it won't blow you away, there are some interesting historical displays of Cairns and its surrounds.
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Cairns Regional Gallery
Cairns Regional Gallery, in a gorgeous heritage building, is worth a wander. Exhibitions reflect the consciousness of the region, with an emphasis on indigenous art. The permanent collection includes works by Brett Whiteley, Russell Drysdale and Donald Friend.
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Crystal Cascades
About 20km from Cairns, the Crystal Cascades are a series of beautiful waterfalls and pools. You will need a friendly local or a cab to get you there but it is worth the effort. The area is accessed by a 1.2km pathway (suitable for wheelchairs) and is a great spot for a dip, particularly in the summer months when the stingers make the beaches unsafe.
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Flecker Botanic Gardens
Flecker Botanic Gardens northwest of the city centre, are dominated by the magnificent rainforest, but there are also plots of bush-tucker plants and the Gondwanan Evolutionary Trail, which begins the 415-million-year heritage of tropical plants from blue-green algae (Quaternary) and reaches its standing ovation in the Age of Angiosperms (now).
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Mt Whitfield
Opposite the gardens the Rainforest Boardwalk leads to Saltwater Creek and Centenary Lakes. For more serious walkers, the trails throughout Mt Whitfield Conservation Park have several lookouts offering views of Cairns and Trinity Inlet, and there is a terrific mangrove boardwalk on Airport Ave, 200m before the airport.
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Mt Whitfield Conservation Park
Near the botanical gardens is the entrance to the Mt Whitfield Conservation Park, the last remnant of Cairns rainforest and once home to a small cassowary population. The Red Arrow Trail (one hour) and the Blue Arrow Trail (3.5 hours) both offer good views over the city and coast.
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Reef Teach
Take your knowledge of the reef to greater depths at Reef Teach. The madcap lecturer is passionate about the reef and talks fast but he will explain how to identify specific types of coral and fish, and how to treat the reef with respect.
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Tjapukai Cultural Park
Owned and run by indigenous Australians, the terrific Tjapukai Cultural Park combines interesting aspects of indigenous culture with show biz. It includes the Creation Theatre, which tells the story of creation using giant holograms and actors; there's also a Dance Theatre, as well as boomerang- and spear-throwing demonstrations (have a go!). The shop has authentic work from across the country.
Showing 1-9 of 9 results
