Cairns Historic Guided Exploration Tour

Cairns may be a pretty face but its history is also rich and deep, going back at least 40,000 years. Explore beyond the rainforest and reef to the ancient and recent history, complete with stories and photographable architecture, art and landmarks.
We look at buildings of significance from the early colony, including architectural styles, as well as indigenous outdoor artworks. You will learn about the importance of the natural features of Cairns (reef and rain forest), the oldest living culture in the world and the pre-colonial lifestyle. We talk about the challenges of colonisation, pirates and opium trade, and the early gold rush, farming, business, and the cultural melting pot that makes Cairns what it is today.

Historic buildings highlighted include Cairns Museum, Cairns Art Gallery, Mulgrave Shire Office, Telegraph Office, Post Office, Chambers, Boland's Department Store, the Adelaide Steamship Company, Central Hotel, Chinatown, and Hides Hotel.

Meeting Point

Cairns Museum

Cairns School of Arts building, Cnr Lake and Shields St, 93/105 Lake St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia

Meet in front of museum near Evoburger on Sheilds Street Side (corner of Shields and Lake Streets)

What's included:

• Tour Guide

What to expect:

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Cairns Museum

Cnr Lake and Shields St, 93/105 Lake St, Cairns School of Arts Building, Cairns, 4870, Queensland

Discuss the historic meeting place for traditional owners and colonial settlers.

10 minutes

Cairns Art Gallery

Cnr Abbott & Shields Streets, , Cairns, 4870, Queensland

Discuss the Shields Street traditional aboriginal shields street art by Paul Bong as well as the gold rush and establishment of the colony. The history of the Public Curators building, now the Cairns Regional Gallery, is explored.

10 minutes

Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

52/54 The Esplanade, Opposite Mantra Esplanade, Cairns, 4870, Queensland

The history of the reef and rainforest as World Heritage Sites is discussed. The history of early settlers, including pirates, is discussed.

10 minutes

Cairns Tourist Information Centre

Cnr Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia

The history of early government in Cairns is discussed in front of Mulgrave Shire building, the original local government headquarters for the colony.

10 minutes

The Reef Hotel Casino

35-41 Wharf St., , Cairns, 4870, Queensland

The war memorial next to the Casino is visited and the role of the wars in Cairns life, especially World War 2, is explored.

10 minutes

The Chambers

21 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia

From this position, the historic Bolands Centre as the first department store in Cairns is discussed. The Adelaide Steamship Company and the Central Hotel are also discussed from this vantage point.

10 minutes

Crystal Ball Bookstore

91 Grafton St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia

The Chinatown exhibit infront of the bookstore is visited to discuss the important role of the Chinese in Cairns history and the history of Grafton Street as the heart of Chinatown.

5 minutes

Hides Hotel Cairns

87 Lake St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia

Return to location of start of tour in front of Cairns Museum. Discuss the role of the School of Arts in the founding colony. Discuss the history of Hides hotel and the role of historic hotels in early colony life. Discuss the Trocadero Dance Hall across the road from Hides and role in World War 2 life for soldiers.

5 minutes