The cosmopolitan, colourful city of Cairns in far north
Queensland is a tourist-orientated centre because it is the gateway
to two of the world's most awesome World Heritage Sites, the Great
Barrier Reef and the 110-million year old Daintree rainforest.
Cairns started life as a small fishing encampment, which
received an injection of prosperity in the 19th century when gold
was discovered to the north and tin and timber began to be
exploited in the nearby Atherton Tablelands. The harbour and
fishing operations increased in importance, and tourism arrived in
the early 20th century when marlin fishing became popular, and the
world discovered the delights of exploring the Great Barrier
Reef.
Aided by its pleasant, warm climate the relaxed tropical town
has now become a frenzied international tourism centre, flooded
with visitors most of the year, its streets lined with souvenir
stores, eateries and some first class hotels. The harbour is
clogged with streamlined pleasure boats, and the offshore islands
bristle with resorts. To cater for tourists the city fathers have
even created a man-made salt-water lagoon and sandy beach on the
Esplanade to replace the original muddy swamp that crowned Trinity
Bay.
The international airport keeps the visitors coming in, as the
city, with its festive air, expands to accommodate them.
