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The White Hat Guide to

Cairns

Cairns

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Overview
Places to visit
Things to do
Markets
Places to stay

Cairns

Cairns

Overview


Ellis Beach, Cairns
Ellis Beach, Cairns
Casey Smith

 

What's on in Cairns

Cairns Markets - all markets

Markets by date
Some popular markets
Markets by day of week

Places of interest

Fireworks in Cairns

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You can find a comprehensive guide to markets around Australia at The White Hat Guide to Markets in Australia.

Places to visit

Cairns

Places to visit


Cairns Skyrail & Kuranda Train

Cairns Skyrail - cable car and train

Glide above the canopy of the ancient rainforest in purpose built gondolas that offer a sustainable birds-eye view of North Queensland’s living natural wonder whose prehistoric ancestry is some 60 million years older than the Amazon. Alternatively take the railway journey through the same landscape. You may choose to mix and match the two for a round trip. This tourism experience has won and continues to win numerous international awards. Details at Skyrail


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Things to do

Cairns

Things to do


Some forthcoming events in Cairns:

Greek Festival Cairns

The Greek festival is about sharing culture and community where people feel a sense of belonging through music, tradition, and the sharing of Greek food. The festival has become an exciting community event in the Cairns Community in Redlynch since 2012.

The cultural performances showcase a wide array of performances and local talent.
The centre stage will include the Cypriot dance group, belly dancing, Latin American Folklore, Japanese dancers, and inspiring drumming just to name a few.

The festival’s activity program boasts Zorba dancing, Honey Puff Eating and Olive Spitting competitions, Greek cooking demonstrations, informative church tours, traditional plate smashing and interactive traditional dancing opportunities throughout the day.

The Greek Festival is a vibrant family affair that also caters to children with an alluring jumping castle, children’s performances, popular treasure hunts, lucky dip prizes, day care stall, clown entertainment and ‘zoo to you’ performances with a delicious variety of hot and cold foods to suit the younger palate.

A woodworking stall that has been developed through the “Hammertime” disability program.
There will be delicious Greek sweets and market stalls, raffle tickets tables, and an information and craft stall.



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Cairns Show

Cairns Show

The Cairns Show is one of the largest regional shows in Australia and is always a highlight on on the Tropical North Queensland calendar. Many events at the show are free once you have purchased an entry ticket. Animals on show include Cattle, Horses, Poultry, Birds, Goats, Guinea Pigs and Goats. In the main arena are many equestrian events together with entertainment into the night. Headlining this year's music is Justice Crew who will be performing twice a day. There are showbags, sideshow alley, carnival rides and fireworks. However what White Hat most looks forward to is just wandering around and watching and chatting to the various people of the region relaxing and celebrating. Full details on the Cairns Show website.



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Cairns Festival - Grand Parade & Fireworks

Watch the Grand Parade and be entertained by roving performers, then catch the spectacular fireworks display and free family concert.

Afternoon entertainment starts from 3pm, Grand Parade starts at 5pm and then Fireworks and free music from 7.30pm.



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Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

Australia's Premier Indigenous Art Fair. Full details at CIAF.

Our rating - 5 Hats

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Carnival on Collins

White Hat suggests that if you are looking for a way to celebrate Father's Day in Cairns, you should seek out the Carnival on Collins.

It is hard to miss because it regularly attracts 25,000 to the City's Botanic Gardens and Tanks Arts Centre precinct for a big day of family activities There is free entertainment and a market with 200+ stalls offering local art and craft, produce, plants, food and refreshments.



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City Lights

As part of the Cairns Festival, the Cairns City Library will be illuminated with detailed projections. This year's offering transforms the paintings of local artist Hayley Gillespie and weaves them into an animated story.

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Free Guided Bird Tour

Volunteers from Friends of the Botanic Gardens Cairns conduct a free guided bird tour on Tuesdays at 7.30am. Details at Friends of the Botanic Gardens

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Free Guided Walk In the Botanic Gardens

Volunteers from Friends of the Botanic Gardens Cairns conduct free guided walks, Monday to Friday, most weeks of the year. These walks commence at 10am from Friends’ House, near the Gardens Café, and are designed to meet the needs of casual visitors to the Gardens.

The walks last for about 60 to 90 minutes and showcase a number of different areas of the Gardens including the Conservatory, the Aboriginal Plant Use section and any plants that are putting on a particularly good display at the time. Details at Friends of the Botanic Gardens

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Markets

Cairns

Markets


Rusty's Market

A bustling produce market that also offers a variety clothing, jewellery and bric-a-brac. Anyone inteersted in tropical fruits and vegetables is likely to be delighted with this market and White Hat particularly suggests you search out the PNG stalls and talk to the stallholders about how they use the food they have on offer.



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Cairns Men's Shed Garage / Car Boot Sale

Bargains for all at the huge Garage / Car Boot Sale. Doors open at 7.30 AM. 38 Stall holders, sausage sizzle, money wheel, toys, books, lots of tools, kitchen ware, plants, seedlings and even a wheel chair. Plenty of parking next door at Roos. Music by the "Bad Boys OF UKE" who are returning by popular demand.



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Palm Cove Markets

This large waterfront market is about half an hour's drive from Cairns and White Hat suggests it is well worth the trip if you want to experience a busy community market in a tropical atmosphere. There are local handmade goods including jewelry, clothing, pottery, plants, food and skincare products together with family entertainment.



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Gordonvale Cottage Markets

A general market in a pleasant parkland setting.



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Mount Sheridan Plaza Community Markets

The Community Markets is a celebration of the community and local producers, growers and artists all under the one roof. Peruse the stalls to find a diverse and unique range of quality handmade artworks, antiques, plants, pottery, hats, bric’n’brac, clothing, books, bags, toys, jewellery, candles, soaps, beauty, alternative products and so much more.

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Redlynch Community Markets

A a lazy Sunday morning with great people, coffee, food, market stalls and conversations in gorgeous parklands. The bi-monthly markets which are alternated between the Redlynch Valley along Freshwater Creek on Gamburra Drive and Regis Aged Care Facility, in Short Street Redlynch.

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Holloways Beach Markets

Currently the Holloways Beach Market is being held in the Syd & Jane Granville Park in Cassia Street while the upgrade to the Esplanade is under way. White Hat suggests that these community markets, about 15 minutes drive from central Cairns, make for a pleasant Sunday outing where you can combine a visit to the market with a barbecue and a swim or a stroll along the beach



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Cairns Night Markets

With over 70 stalls and a range of food court options, the Cairns Night Markets are a major tourist shopping hub in Cairns. The market is under cover and operates every day of the year.



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Tanks Markets

Showcasing locally created arts and crafts, the markets are a relaxing way to spend a Sunday morning.
This market lines Tanks promenade on Collins Avenue, with live entertainment provided by local musicians. Stalls feature a blend of local art, craft, produce, vintage clothing, collectibles and local natural health products. White Hat suggests this venue as a pleasant way to spend a Sunday morning. You may then want to wander on to relax in the nearby Botanic Gardens.



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Cairns Cruise Liner Markets

This market is primarily provided for visitors arriving on cruise liners but locals and other visitors are welcome. The market has tourism items, local produce and gifts such as jewelry, leather goods and souvenirs.

Market dates depend on the cruise ship schedule. White Hat suggests that the following are possible 2019 dates since cruise ships will be in port on those days:

9th, 14th, 25th, 27th & 28th January
8th, 11th, 20th, 23rd, 24th & 28th February
7th, 9th, 10th, 17th, 18th & 21st March
2nd, 3rd & 14th April
12th & 24th May
21st & 26th July
2nd & 11th September
10th, 15th, 22nd, 28th & 30th October
19th, 21st, 24th, 27th & 29th November
2nd, 3rd, 11th, 16th & 20th December



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Places to stay

Cairns

Places to stay


Place to stay in Cairns on Booking

Selected places to stay in Cairns:

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You can find a comprehensive guide to markets around Australia at The White Hat Guide to Markets in Australia.

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