Cairns

Cairns

Cairns is a coastal city in Far North Queensland, Australia. The area is known by the traditional owners, in the local Yidinji language as Gimuy. However, in colonial history, the city was discovered by the English in 1876 and named after Sir William Wellington Cairns. The city is the 5th biggest in Queensland, and 14th in Australia.

Arts and Recreation

The city has many tropical gardens and parks. However, it also has a vibrant arts scene, with a regional gallery and the Tanks Arts Centre.

Cairns is a great city to enjoy. While public transport remains a ‘work in progress’, the region has a developed pedestrian and cycle network and is popular with mountain bike trail lovers.

Cairns Environment

As a tropical city, Cairns experiences torrential downpours and high humidity during the summer. Consequently, part of the city is flood prone and highly vulnerable to sea-level rise from climate change.

The city is a popular base for tourists to visit the region. Indeed the region is home to the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
Wildlife in the area include taipans (a deadly snake) and crocodiles, so be careful where you wander. After all, you would not like to to come into contact with either of these nasty customers.

Tropical Gardens

Located in the heat of the tropics, the area has many beautiful gardens. The Cairns botanical Gardens is certainly worth a visit as is the nearby Centenary Lakes precinct.

It is possible to grow many tropical fruits and vegetables in Cairns. Indeed, the city is the tropical gardening capital of Northern Australia. Some European vegetables will only grow during the winter or dry season, but there are many interesting tropical fruits and tropical vegetables that thrive all year around.

History

On this page we link to a number of pages and posts concerning our history. Consequently this includes a history of white settlement or invasion, class struggle and the politics of the town. Indeed, looked at collectively, the images on this we have posted constitute a pictorial history. Hence, these images that create feelings of warmness and nostalgia amongst many.

Diversity

Cairns or Gimuy is the home of the Yidinji people. Indeed, the Yidinji are the traditional owners of the land from the Barron River to the south, including the southern suburbs. Today the city is home to not just the Yidinji, but many people from Australia’s two oldest cultures (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.).

Cairns is also home to many new arrivals from overseas. Indeed most recently this includes members of refugee communities from around the world, including Bhutan and Africa.

Geography

As with most cities, there are a number of areas in Cairns. These include South, West, North and central Cairns. There are a number of suburbs within these areas and we have attempted to cover them all extensively. You will see links below.

In terms of geographical features, we have also covered some of the creeks and waterways. In addition, we look at other local parks and precincts and we hope you find our coverage of interest.

Rob Pyne

The city is home to Champion of the Underdog founder, Australian socialist, Rob Pyne . In addition, Rob writes on savings tips, tropical gardening, disability, climate change and people and locations in Far North Queensland. Rob Pyne The former MP and Councillor continues to pump out content, despite limitations imposed by his disability.

Champion of the Underdog