Cairns City Trip Overview
Cairns may be a pretty face but its history is also rich and deep, going back at least 40,000 years. Explore beyond the rainforest and reef to the ancient and recent history, complete with stories and photographable architecture, art and landmarks.
We look at buildings of significance from the early colony, including architectural styles, as well as indigenous outdoor artworks. You will learn about the importance of the natural features of Cairns (reef and rain forest), the oldest living culture in the world and the pre-colonial lifestyle. We talk about the challenges of colonisation, pirates and opium trade, and the early gold rush, farming, business, and the cultural melting pot that makes Cairns what it is today.
Historic buildings highlighted include Cairns Museum, Cairns Art Gallery, Mulgrave Shire Office, Telegraph Office, Post Office, Chambers, Boland’s Department Store, the Adelaide Steamship Company, Central Hotel, Chinatown, and Hides Hotel.
Additional Info
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Starts: Cairns City, Australia
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Cairns City Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Cairns City, Queensland, Australia
Cairns may be a pretty face but its history is also rich and deep, going back at least 40,000 years. Explore beyond the rainforest and reef to the ancient and recent history, complete with stories and photographable architecture, art and landmarks.
We look at buildings of significance from the early colony, including architectural styles, as well as indigenous outdoor artworks. You will learn about the importance of the natural features of Cairns (reef and rain forest), the oldest living culture in the world and the pre-colonial lifestyle. We talk about the challenges of colonisation, pirates and opium trade, and the early gold rush, farming, business, and the cultural melting pot that makes Cairns what it is today.
Historic buildings highlighted include Cairns Museum, Cairns Art Gallery, Mulgrave Shire Office, Telegraph Office, Post Office, Chambers, Boland’s Department Store, the Adelaide Steamship Company, Central Hotel, Chinatown, and Hides Hotel.
Stop At: Cairns Museum, City Pl Shields St School of Arts Building, Cnr Lake and Shields Streets, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
Discuss the historic meeting place for traditional owners and colonial settlers.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Cairns Art Gallery, Cnr Abbott & Shields Streets, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
Discuss the Shields Street traditional aboriginal shields street art by Paul Bong as well as the gold rush and establishment of the colony. The history of the Public Curators building, now the Cairns Regional Gallery, is explored.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, 52 – 54 The Esplanade Opposite Mantra Esplanade, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
The history of the reef and rainforest as World Heritage Sites is discussed. The history of early settlers, including pirates, is discussed.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Cairns Tourist Information Centre, Cnr Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
The history of early government in Cairns is discussed in front of Mulgrave Shire building, the original local government headquarters for the colony.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Reef Hotel Casino, 35-41 Wharf St., Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
The war memorial next to the Casino is visited and the role of the wars in Cairns life, especially World War 2, is explored.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Chambers, 21 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
From this position, the historic Bolands Centre as the first department store in Cairns is discussed. The Adelaide Steamship Company and the Central Hotel are also discussed from this vantage point.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Crystal Ball Bookstore, 91 Grafton St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
The Chinatown exhibit infront of the bookstore is visited to discuss the important role of the Chinese in Cairns history and the history of Grafton Street as the heart of Chinatown.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Hides Hotel Cairns, 87 Lake St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
Return to location of start of tour in front of Cairns Museum. Discuss the role of the School of Arts in the founding colony. Discuss the history of Hides hotel and the role of historic hotels in early colony life. Discuss the Trocadero Dance Hall across the road from Hides and role in World War 2 life for soldiers.
Duration: 5 minutes
