The Exotic
If you like adrenaline, adventure and partying: Cairns is for you! Best known as a gateway city
The Backpakers have made it more than a place to live, they have made it a must-see destination and there are many reasons for this: it is close to the coral reef, it is also a stone's throw from the Daintree Forest and offers a multitude of activities, all enhanced by nice little cafes, bars and restaurants! It's a holiday atmosphere rather than a city rush, people are cool and more relaxed than in the big cities! Lovers of diving, parachute jumping or rafting and hiking will be served! On the other hand, we warn you: if you want to survive, avoid swimming in anything ... we say it like that ;)
Atmosphere & Dynamics
Weather
With its humid & tropical climate, Cairns is the ultimate exotic city! With the chill and relaxed atmosphere that goes with it ;)
Winter: approx. 20 °C - summer approx. 27 °C
Location
Queensland (QLD)
Ideal time for your arrival
May - October
Things to do in Cairns
The Rain Forest
Cape Tribulations
Mosman Gorge
The coral reef
The swampy mangroves of the south
Trinity Wharf
The Esplanade
Mud Markets at The Pier
The Cairns Museum
Flecker Botanic Gardens
The Tully gorges
Cook Highway and Karunda (for bungee jumping and skydiving)
The Pier Square (bars & pubs)
Michaelmas Cay Island
Barron's Falls
Fitzroy Island
Events Not To Be Missed
Cairns Festival
Great Barrier Reef Masters Games
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
Cairns Cup Carnival
Cost of Living
Cairns, despite its smaller size, is a city of passage rather than of settlement. Mainly focused on tourism activity, notably with the coral reef and the Rain Forest, here is a short overview to give you an idea.
Rent
In a hostel: between $15 and $20 per night
For a roommate: count between $150 and $250 per room per week.
A studio: about $400 per week, outside the city centre.
Transportation
Cairns is mainly served by a bus network called Sunbus.
Tickets cost about $3.40.
Recreation and Outdoor Activities
Cinema: $20
Restaurant: at least $15 - $20
Drinks: $6 a pint.
Labour Market
Cairns is the mythical city of backpackers, but the reason why it attracts so many backpackers is not because of the work, but because of the tourist attractions it has to offer. If you are looking for a job in Cairns it may not be so easy! More of a spending destination than a saving one, we leave you to judge for yourself!
Your pluses: Good English and a rather commercial profile. If you have experience in tourism, you can get by and join the local agencies!
Areas of recruitment: Overall, the tourism, hotel and restaurant industry.
Why we love it:
The coral reef and the rainforest just around the corner
All activities offered (flying, skydiving, diving, snorkeling ...)
The party and holiday atmosphere of the city
Artificial lagoons that allow you to swim
Why we like it a little less:
The price of activities (always more)
Impossible to swim in the sea despite the heat ... unless you want to be near jellyfish and crocodiles!
The sometimes overly "debauched" side of the city invaded by backpackers!
