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Cairns Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Cairns
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Cairns Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Cairns - The cosmopolitan, colourful city of Cairns in
far north Queensland is a tourist-orientated centre because it is
the gateway to two of the world's most awesome World Heritage
Sites, the Great Barrier Reef and the 110-million year old Daintree
rainforest.
Cairns started life as a small
fishing encampment, which received an injection of prosperity in
the 19th century when gold was discovered to the north and tin and
timber began to be exploited in the nearby Atherton Tablelands. The
harbour and fishing operations increased in importance, and tourism
arrived in the early 20th century when marlin fishing became
popular, and the world discovered the delights of exploring the
Great Barrier Reef. Aided by its pleasant, warm
climate the relaxed tropical town has now become a frenzied
international tourism centre, flooded with visitors most of the
year, its streets lined with souvenir stores, eateries and some
first class hotels. The harbour is clogged with streamlined
pleasure boats, and the offshore islands bristle with resorts. To
cater for tourists the city fathers have even created a man-made
salt-water lagoon and sandy beach on the Esplanade to replace the
original muddy swamp that crowned Trinity Bay.
The international airport keeps the visitors coming in, as
the city, with its festive air, expands to accommodate
them.
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Cairns
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Bowling Green Bay National Park
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What is it? Covering 55,300 hectares, this is the largest
National Park in the region, and the area was once home to the
Wulgurukaba Aboriginal people who have left their mark in beautiful
rock paintings. It is sited between Townsville and Bowen and
includes the Mount Elliot area and adjacent coastal wetlands,
saltpans and mangrove swamps. Alligator Creek meanders through the
park, with beautiful waterfalls and cascades crashing into deep
pools, surrounded by tropical rainforest.
Hours of Operation: The Park is open from 6.30am to 6.30pm and caters for
campers and day visitors
Phone:(0)7 4722 5224 (QPWS Reef and National Parks Information
Centre) |
2. Magnetic Island
www.magnetic-island.com.au |
What is it? Magnetic Island was named by Captain James
Cook in 1770 when he believed that the landmass of the island
affected the magnetic compass on his ship, 'Endeavour'. More than
half of the island, which is about five miles (8km) from
Townsville, is a National Park known for its rugged landscape with
granite boulders, hoop pines and eucalyptus trees. The island has
23 beaches and bays, some of which can only be reached on foot.
There are more than 12 miles (20km) of walking trails marked out on
the island. Part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park fringes the
island, which is also home to the most northerly colony of
free-ranging koala bears in Australia. The island offers a wide
range of accommodation. Local transport is available on the
island.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
3. Hartley's Creek
www.crocodileadventures.com |
What is it? This working crocodile farm is to be found on
the magnificent coastal drive 25 miles (40km) north of Cairns.
'Hartley's Crocodile Adventures' is reputedly the best crocodile
show in Australia, but the farm, sited under a lush rainforest
canopy, hosts other wildlife too such as cassowaries, dingoes,
snakes, koalas and lizards. It is the 'Crocodile Attack Show'
however that draws the crowds who are enthralled as keepers hand
feed the creatures and relate fascinating facts. High quality
crocodile leather goods are also on sale.
Hours of Operation: The farm is open daily 8.30am to 5pm; regular
conducted tours are offered
Phone:(0)7 4055 3576 |
Cairns
holidays - Top Events
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