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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. 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. 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 wonder. After all, you would not like to to come into contact with either of these nasty customers.
History and 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 Cairns 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. Most recently this includes members of refugee communities from around the world, including Bhutan and Africa.
Rob Pyne
The city is home to Champion of the Underdog founder, Australian socialist, Rob Pyne who 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.
Old Pictures of Cairns
Old Pictures of Cairns links to a number of pictures that have captured the city’s built history.
Cairns Flooding
Cairns flooding should surprise no-one. After all, it is a tropical city in Far North Queensland.
South Cairns
I was born and raised in the South Cairns townships of Gordonvale and Edmonton in Far North Queensland.
Edmonton
Edmonton Queensland is a town in tropical Far North Queensland. Once a small sugar town, this Edmonton is fast becoming a city suburb.
Bentley Park
Bentley Park is a suburb in Far North Queensland. With a population of around 10,000 people, it is an important part of the region.
Gordonvale
Gordonvale is located 23 kilometres south of the CBD. This once proud sugar milling town is fast becoming a large urban suburb.
Woree
Woree is a suburb located in the southern area of Cairns (Gimuy) in tropical Far North Queensland. This south Cairns suburb lies in the traditional lands of the Yidinji people.
White Rock
White Rock is a suburb in Far North Queensland. Located in South Cairns, it draws its name from a large white rock in the mountain range opposite the suburb.
Mount Sheridan
Mount Sheridan is situated in the southern suburbs of Cairns (Gimuy). The aboriginal Yidinji people are the traditional owners of that country.