Where to eat, drink, play & stay in Cairns
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Known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, but the heart of Tropical North Queensland also has plenty of urban attributes to explore.
Smack bang in the heart of Tropical North Queensland, Cairns is
known more for its convenience than cool: it’s the gateway to
the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Heritage Area, as
well as the luxurious holiday enclaves of Port Douglas and Palm
Cove to its north. But if you linger a little longer you’ll
discover that Cairns is more than just a ‘Point A’ with its hip
and happening culinary scene and a host of activities to keep
the whole fam bam interested. Here are our picks of the city’s
best places to eat, drink, play and stay.
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1
Salt HouseSalt House, Pier Point Road, Cairns City, Cairns,
Queensland, 4870, Australia
Sun-dappled deck, bobbing yachts, mountains in the not-too-distant distance.
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The expansive Salt House waterfront restaurant is a great place to
while away an afternoon. With a menu designed around local and
seasonal produce, it features brick-fired pizzas, tapas to share,
and a number of meats cooked on the custom-built Argentinian
wood-fired grill.
2
Caffiend72 Grafton Street
Hightail it to Caffiend for your morning caffeine hit.
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Using coffee from local roasters The Tattooed Sailor and produce
from local farmers for their menu, this homely cafe serves up a
mean brekkie (chilli eggs, bacon and egg brioche, seasonal
smoothie bowls and the like) while supporting local artists with a
rotating display of art and regular exhibitions.
3
Ochre
Ochre Restaurant is a no-brainer when it comes to dining out.
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This highly awarded Cairns institution is renowned for
incorporating unique native foods throughout its menu and
establishing what you could call a Native Australian cuisine. You
can try inventive dishes such as salt and native pepper leaf
crocodile, Daintree tea smoked duck breast, or an Australian
antipasto platter that comprises emu wonton and salmon green ant
gravlax.
4
Jafflehead39 Lake Street
Remember when jaffles were a thing? THEY STILL ARE.
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Jafflehead serves the simple toasty favourite with some pretty
unique fillings. Try the El Chapo (Mexican spiced chicken, red
beans, corn, jalapeños, sour cream and cheese), the Reuben (corned
beef, sauerkraut, Russian mayo and cheese) or a sweet option such
as The Floyd (Nutella, marshmallows, banana and puff pastry). But
we can’t go past this basic option: Can O’ Worms (tinned spaghetti
and cheese). It will have you dusting off that jaffle maker at
home.
5
The Conservatory BarLake Street
It may be small in size but its chilled-out vibes, impressive wine list and charming design has garnered it a big following.
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Come for a tipple, enjoy the live music and order one of its
impressive grazing boards to share with friends.
6
Hemingway's Brewery
I’ve got 99 problems but beer ain’t one.
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With 20 varieties on tap, including at least 10 of its own brews
and ciders, Hemingway’s Brewery has the beer lovers among us
covered. Housed in a heritage-listed building at Cairns wharf with
historical images above the bar and incredible views across
Trinity Inlet, it’s a really cool space to enjoy a frothy and some
great pub grub.
7
Flamingos Tiki Bar
This place is kitsch cool to a tee.
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Hidden beneath street level, Flamingos Tiki Bar is all about neon,
palm trees, tropical prints, hula girls and creative drinks
flourished with fruit. Order a signature cocktail, such as a
Daintree Daiquiri, a Flamingo Sling, a Shark Bait Hoo Ha Ha (go
on, chant it…) or browse the extensive spirits list for your
poison of choice.
8
Esplanade LagoonLagoon
Crocs and stingers – not the kind of marine life you want to bump into while leisurely swimming.
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Avoid them both at the city’s manmade saltwater lagoon with views
out to Trinity Inlet (open year round, free entry). It’s the
perfect spot to cool off with kids; there’s a nearby playground
and water play area, a heap of open space for picnics as well as
public barbecues to use, and a scenic boardwalk that takes you
along the waterfront.
9
Rusty's Farmers MarketsRusty's Markets
Boasting more than 180 stalls, Rusty’s Markets is the best place to come to browse the region’s local produce.
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Exotic fruit, artisan bread, organic meats and the like – as well
as international foods, jewellery, clothing and more. Open Friday
to Sunday, this iconic market is worth visiting for the lively
atmosphere alone.
10
Oceana Walk ShoppingGrafton Street
If you’re a lover of quirky things then you’ll probably lose yourself down the little laneway that is Oceana Walk.
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This retail arcade is home to a collection of eclectic stores
selling everything from boho-chic clothing to eco toys to vintage
books and vinyl records. Be sure to stop by Blackbird Laneway
espresso bar for a pick-me-up of fresh, locally roasted coffee.
11
Cairns Art Gallery40 Abbott Street
Get cultured at Cairns Art Gallery, the city’s only visual art museum.
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Housed in a heritage building, the gallery holds around 30
exhibitions throughout the year ranging from sculpture to
photography to installation, with a strong focus on local and
Indigenous artworks.
12
Cairns Botanic Gardens
Green thumbs rejoice.
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Just a short drive north of the CBD, Cairns Botanic Gardens is
known as one of the best exhibits of tropical plants in the
country. It also has an Aboriginal plant-use garden, a rainforest
boardwalk, a freshwater lake and a nature playground. It’s a great
spot to take the kids to stretch their legs and the best bit, it’s
free.
13
The Riley
Cairns’ newest hotel, Riley is part of the luxurious Crystalbrook Collection.
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Understated luxury is the name of the game here in its spacious,
elegantly appointed rooms, most of which have balconies. When it
comes to food and drink, there are three options: a rooftop bar
and restaurant serving a Mediterranean cuisine, a more casual
modern Asian kitchen, and a clean eats cafe. Guests can bliss out
at the onsite day spa, swim in the huge lagoon-style pool or
manmade beach, or hire some of the eco bikes to explore the city.
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