Cairns is a regional city located in far north Queensland, Australia. Originally settled to serve as a port for exporting gold and other precious metals from mines west of the city, it later became a center for the crushing and exporting of sugar. The city is rapidly expanding and is reliant on the tourism industry. It is the world's safest tropical city.

Cairns is a popular travel destination for foreign tourists because of its closeness to many attractions. The Great Barrier Reef is only one and a half hours away by boat. The Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation are popular areas for experiencing a true tropical rainforest. The city has used its natural surrounds to its full advantage with the construction of many small theme parks for tourists. Among them is the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, and Skyrail, a Gondola Cableway that extends for 7.5km over World Heritage rainforest.

Climate

Cairns experiences a warm tropical climate in summer with monsoonal rains occurring between November and March. Mild temperatures occur in winter. Cairns is also subject to possible cyclone activity during the wet season.

Approximate Population: 130,000

Airport

In terms of international and domestic passenger movements, Cairns International Airport is Australia's sixth busiest. In excess of three million international and domestic passenger movements were recorded during 2003_2004. After Sydney and Brisbane, Cairns is the most popular tourist destination in Australia.

Cairns Internatioal Airport connects directly to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Singapore, and the USA.

Schools

Notable schools in Cairns include: St Anthony's Primary, Dimbulah ,St Mary's Catholic College, Woree State School, Cairns West State School, Parramatta State School, Edge Hill State School, Trinity Anglican School and Cairns State High School.

External links

• City of Cairns Official Website (http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/)
• Cairns City Guide (http://www.withincooee.com/cairns/default.htm)