Cairns
Car Hire Touring Information
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Cairns
is a great black-marlin fishing location and offers access
to the Great Barrier Reef for anglers, snorkellers, scuba-divers
and visitors wishing to see the coral from glass-bottomed
boats. The Reef Hotel Casino complex, Wharf St. Wetland areas
mci. The Esplanade; opportunities for birdwatching. Rainforest
walk to top of Mt Whitfield, in park opposite airport. Royal
Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre, Junction St, Edge Hill.
Bulk sugar terminal, Cook St, Portsmith, south Of city centre,
has guided tours during crushing season (June—Dec.).
Dive schools. Markets: Rusty’s Bazaar, Grafton and Sheridan
sts, Fri. p.m., Sat. and Sun. a.m.; at the Pier, Sat. and
Sun. July: Agricultural Show. Oct.: Reef Festival and Hook,
Wine and Sinker Festival. In the area: Skyrail Rainforest
Cableway, gondola ride with boardwalk stops through rainforest
to Kuranda; departs Caravonica Lakes Station, SmithGeld, 11
km NE (return via Scenic Railway, or vice versa). Award-winning
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, adjacent to Caravonica
Lakes Station, performances daily Cairns beaches, 26 km of
spectacular coastline, extend from Machans Beach (10
km N) north to Ellis Beach. Holloways Beach, 11 km N, popular
seaside spot. Australian Woolshed at SmithGeld, 13 km N: daily
ram shows, spinning, shearing, working sheepdog demonstrations.
Wild World and Outback Opal Mine, 22 km NW. Freshwater Connection
historical complex, 34 km NW, departure point for 100-year-old
Kuranda Scenic Railway trip through Barron Gorge to rainforest
village of Kuranda. Rushwalking, hiking, whitewater rafting
and camping in Barron and Freshwater valleys, north and south
of Cairns; attractions mci. Crystal Cascades, Barron Gorge
hydro-electric power station and Copperlode Dam (Lake Morris).
Reef and islands can be explored by private charters, daily
cruises and by air (seaplane and helicopter). Longer
cruises to resort islands and reef on Coral Princess and Kangaroo
Explorer. Sea access to Green and Fitzroy islands and Frankland
Islands. Air access to Green, Orpheus, Dunk and Lizard islands.
Access to wilderness areas of Atherton Tableland, Daintree,
Cape Tribulation, Cape York and Gulf Savannah regions. Safaris
(4WD) to Cape York and Gulf Savannah. Visitor information:
Tourism Tropical North Queensland, 51 The Esplanade; (07)
4051 3588. Web site www.tnq.org.au
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