History

Recent History

Tourists continue to flock to Cairns. Its status as an international and domestic player in both tourism and business is firmly entrenched. In 2003 Cairns' foreshore was completely revamped. Cairns Port Authority and Cairns City Council created a 'New Cairns' with a multi-million project. With the Pier Marketplace at its heart, the surrounding mudflats were replaced with a glorious swimming lagoon, thick grassy parkland and a boardwalk. The port's marinas were substantially upgraded and the glossy Reef Fleet terminal is now the main departure point for tours to the Reef and islands off Cairns. There's also a five-year plan to upgrade Cairns' airport to an international standard. Groaning under the weight of tourism, Cairns now has the infrastructure to support the industry.

Modern Day History

In 1947 Cairns had a population of just 16,000, but it grew rapidly through the 1950s and 1960s, fuelled by a booming sugar industry. The tourist floodgates opened in 1984 when the airport was built, and Cairns has never looked back.

Pre 20th Century History

Cairns began life in 1876 among the mangroves as an intended port for the Hodgkinson River goldfield, 100km (62mi) inland. Initially it struggled under rivalry from northern neighbours Smithfield and Port Douglas, but a flood blithely washed Smithfield away in 1879 and Cairns was chosen as the starting point for the railway line to the Atherton Tableland during the 1880 'tin rush'.