Why Choose Cairns?
Cairns is a relaxed, tropical city, full of coconut palms and curlews (a quirky, long-legged bird you'll meet when you get here). It's a great place to live if you want a more natural life, if you like to hike, or if you'd like to see your kids out riding bikes or jumping in creeks after school. Cairns is also a great place to live if you'd like to make an impact in your community or career.
Living in Cairns, we're 'away from it all', but connected
Living in Cairns, we’re connected to the world with an international airport and a significant seaport. We're connected digitally with fast internet and great mobile coverage; Cairns-Port Douglas is an NBN Business Fibre zone. We're big on connections here.
We’re connected to family and friends. If you move to Cairns, you will see your friends more than ever - no matter where they live. We get plenty of visitors up here!
We’re connected to each other. Cairns is a welcoming, multicultural city with more 166,000 people. More than one-fifth of Cairns people were born overseas, and some 72 languages are spoken in our homes. You'll most likely know your neighbours in you live in Cairns.
Our most important connection? Our connection to nature.
It's a more natural way to live in Cairns
What's in Cairns? Big nature and so much more!
Cairns is the gateway to two World Heritage areas, The Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Traditional Custodians of this beautiful region have a long and continuing connection to country.
No matter where you live in Cairns, you can walk (or take a short drive) to a creek, rainforest track or beach. Make it a slightly longer drive or a boat trip and you’ll find a waterfall, mountain hike or reef to explore.
Many jobs in the Cairns region
Cairns is a regional city, big enough that you can find senior executive roles, a huge choice of casual work in tourism, hospitality and agriculture, and many interesting and creative positions in the arts, media and marketing. Jobs in Cairns are with high vacancy rates in 2021 include health, social and community services, the trades, tourism and hospitality.
Top five reasons why we Choose Cairns
- We don't have crowds or queues even though Cairns is Australia's 14th largest city. We have the buzz, culture, events, sport and benefits of a capital city, but we don't sit in commuter traffic for hours every day
- We have big community connections; most people feel safe living here most of the time
- We’re a two-university city with 55 schools throughout our city and suburbs
- It's easy to come and go with a busy international airport and great transport connectivity
- A tropical city, our streets, parks and yards are filled with trees and wildlife.
Find out what's in Cairns
Cairns is home to two universities. James Cook University (JCU) and Central Queensland (CQU) Cairns’ campuses provide a range of courses covering many subjects such as science and research, health and medical, education and technology disciplines.
Cairns is home to the Taipans, who compete in the National Basketball League (NBL). The local rugby league club, The Northern Pride, compete in the QRL State and Intrust Super Cup competitions.
Cazaly’s Stadium regularly hosts AFL Premiership matches, as well as AFL Cairns games, whilst Barlow Park is home to the Cairns District Rugby League, FNQ Rugby and Cairns Athletics.
Cairns is home to an eclectic mix of cocktail bars, nightclubs and live entertainment venues. With a steady flow of tourists, backpackers and locals heading into the bright lights of the city at night, there is always a vibrant atmosphere and plenty of options depending on what kind of night you are seeking.
From sipping cocktails at a waterfront bar, to sampling some of the locally produced beers or ales at a microbrewery, or watching your favourite team play at one of the many sports bars, Cairns really has something for everyone. The recently refurbished outdoor dining precinct at the Esplanade makes for an enjoyable place to enjoy drinks, dinner and conversation in a contemporary location.
Cairns Airport is the seventh busiest airport in the country, providing both domestic and international travel to almost five million passengers each year.
Cairns locals and tourists have access to a full range of public and private health services, with modern facilities and experts across many medical disciplines.
The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service has a range of health centres, clinics and nine hospitals throughout the region. Private hospitals and healthcare providers are also available. There are 24-hour medical centres and a range of specialist clinicians and general practitioners.
Dental health and allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, podiatrists, occupational therapists, alongside medical imaging specialists for radiologists and sonographers are also accessible locally.
Find more information about healthcare, disability services and hospitals in Cairns.
If you are looking for your fashion fix or retail retreat, Cairns has four popular shopping centres. Cairns Central is located in the CBD and is home to major brands such as Myer, Kmart, Cotton On, Footlocker, EB Games and JB HiFi.
DFO sits on the city fringe, where visitors can find affordable fashion from TK Maxx, Polo Ralph Lauren, Lorna Jane and much more. Out of town shopping centres such as Smithfield and Stocklands also ensure locals and tourists have access to the latest trends, gadgets and jewellery.
Cairns is also a hub for artists, creators and small businesses which means you will find an array of unique and outstanding arts and crafts, clothing, fresh and delicious local produce, gifts and much more. If you enjoy meandering through market stalls, you’re guaranteed to never be too far away from a bustling market, with more than a dozen beachside, local and country markets
Making a tropical change
If you like what you see, a tropical change might be for you too.
We’ve put together information and stories from people who’ve relocated, made a tropical change, and love living in Cairns.
Please get in touch if you can’t find the answers you need about making a move to Cairns in Far North Queensland.