Weather

Even though the end of May until the beginning of August is winter in Australia we can say that does not apply to the Tropical North. Our humidity is relatively dry. Day time the temperature sits between 27-28°C and the nights can drop to 11. Our water temperature is around 25°C around this time of year.
August until December it is relatively warm with the day temperature between 29-30°C with 30°C water temperatures, our nights will sit on 21-22°C . This time of the year can be a hot one but a most enjoyable time of the year.

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Swimming

When visiting Tropical Cairns, Cairns Beaches and Port Douglas swimming is generally safe in most locations, however, you must remember a few things before taking a dip into the deep blue.

1. When swimming at any of the Beaches within the Cairns and Port Douglas, always swim in the enclosed areas patrolled by lifeguards, this will protect swimmers from jellyfish (known as stingers).
2. .Do not swim in lakes, rivers and creeks that contain allot of branches and logs, if logs and branches are not visible please be cautious beneath the waters surface. Please also be aware of crocodile signs displayed
3. When swimming at waterfalls, stay away from the base of the falls as there is a strong undercurrent
4. During stinger season, which is from November until, May please wear protected swimming clothing for protection. It is a also a good idea to wear sun screen as the sun in our Summer season is very hot and harsh on fairer skins

Stinger Season Protection and Awareness

The beaches and Oceans of Tropical Queensland are an important part of the natural attraction of the northern Tropics but during our warmer months Marine Stingers may be present in our tropical waters, however, taking a few simple precautions can minimise risks with the two associated types of potentially dangerous jellyfish (stingers).

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Emergency Numbers

Ambulance/Fire/Police		000
Cairns Police Station		40 30 7000
24hr Medical Centre
Hospitals	-Cairns Base	40 50 6333
	-Calvary (after hrs)	40 52 5111
Coastguard		40 51 2192
RACQ	-Road Service	40 13 1111
	-Road Information	1300 130 595

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Recommended Restaurants

WHY DO WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING? BECAUSE WE DINE THERE!

Cairns

Pesci's On the Water-Pier Waterfront Restaurant with Modern Cuisine and Seafood.
Location: Pier Marketing Place, Wharf Street, and Cairns.

Yanni's Greek Tavern- Greek and seafood cuisine, winner of Cairns Restaurant of year 2000.
Location: Cnr Aplin & Grafton Street, Cairns

Verdi's-Italian Cuisine, great food, great service with friendly entertaining staff.
Location: Cnr of Sheridan and Shield Street, Cairns.

Seviche Restauarant (click for more information) - Top Restauarant Winner in FNQLD

Northern Beach

Café De Lama-European Cuisine, Café De Lama introduces you to mouth water food with friendly and attentive service.
Location: Palm Cove Esplanade

Cocky's at the Cove-Licensed Café specialising in Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea with a well priced menu along with ocean views.
Location: Cove Shopping Village, Palm Cove Esplanade

Reef House Restaurant-With a romantic atmosphere and 5 star food the Reef house Restaurant cannot be beaten with an Executive Chef highly regarded throughout in Australia you will certainly enjoy your food and magnificent ocean views.
Location: The Reefhouse & Spa, Palm Cove Esplanade.

Lunico's Trarroria-Fully Licensed Italian Beachfront restaurant with a Cocktail Bar set ON Trinity Beach Esplanade. With mouth watering wood fired pizza's, pasta dishes and seafood selections
Lunico's has it all.
Location: Vasey Esplanade-Trinity Beach

Port Douglas

Sassi's-Italian cuisine with sensational seafood and pasta selections, one of Port Douglas's popular restaurant's voted by international visitors, Sassi will leave you with a memorable taste and memory.
Location: Cnr Macrossan & Wharf Street, Port Douglas

Mango Jam-Pizza, Pasta, Seafood galore, opened for lunch and dinner daily, Mango Jam is world famous for it's gourmet wood fried pizzas an award winning family restaurant.
Location: Macrossan Street, Port Douglas

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Things NOT to bring into Australia

Australia has very strict importation laws and like most countries we place great emphasis on protecting our native fauna and flora from infectious diseases and other hazardous substances. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) provides quarantine inspection services for the arrival of international passengers, Cargo, mail, animals and plants or other products into Australia, and inspections and certification for a range of animals and plant products exported from Australia.
If you don't declare quarantine items you could be fined $220 AUS on the spot or face up to 10 years jail and $66,000 in penalties.

ALWAYS REMEMBER DECLARE OR BEWARE!!!

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What to BRING to Cairns

It is best to consider the climate you are anticipating when packing for your Cairns holiday. Remember to minimise your sun exposure and bring a good sunscreen (30 plus). Pack loose, light comfortable clothing, good walking shoes, hats, swimwear and sunglasses. Dress standard at venues is casual tropical wear, neat and tidy with footwear. You may need a coat for the cooler nights. Remember to pack that all-important tool the video camera or camera because not all do you want memories in your head but you need to let people see it for themselves.

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Currency

Australian currency is comprised of notes and coins and is a decimal currency. The Australian notes are made from durable plastic and coins metallic. In Australia if you see a figure for the amount of $3.98, this amount is rounded up to the nearest five cents, so in this case it becomes $4.00.

Cairns to Port Douglas you will find many Money exchange desk, most accommodation properties also have exchange Rates at reception, however, some hotels have a $ limit to what you can exchange. Banks also offer money exchange services and cashing of travellers cheques.

Banks Hours:

• Monday to Thursday-9.30pm-4.00pm
• Friday 9.30am-5.00pm
• Saturday & Sunday CLOSED

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Churches

Most religious denominations are represented in Cairns, Cairns Beaches and Port Douglas, and services are frequent and accessible. If you require further information do not hesitate to contact your concierge or reception area of your hotel or do not hesitate to email us directly and we will be happy to supply you with the times and locations.

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World Times

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• Rusty's Markets: Sheridan Street-Friday, Saturday & Sunday
• Pier Marketplace: Cairns Pier Marketplace-Daily and Bigger on Saturday's and Sunday
• Kuranda Markets: Kuranda Village-Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sunday
• Cairns Night Markets: Cairns Esplanade-Daily at night from 4:30pm
• Tanks Art Centre: Edge Hill-Last Sunday of every month
• Smithfield Markets: Smithfield Shopping Centre, Captain Cook Hwy-Every 3rd Sunday of the month
• Port Douglas Markets: Port Douglas waterfront-Every Sunday until 2:00pm
• Yungaburra Markets: 4TH Saturday of every month

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Self-Guided Walking Tracks

• Botanical Gardens: Collins Avenue, Edge Hill-Open daily from 08:30am until 5:00pm
• Blue Arrow Tarck: Mt Whitfield, Edge Hill-2.5hrs a 4.5km rainforest walk with steep hills & steps.
• Red Arrow Track: Mt Whitfield, Edge Hill-40minutes a 1.5km rainforest walk also with steps and hills that lead you to a fabulous lookout.
• Cairns Esplanade Walk: Popular for walking, jogging, rollerbladding and riding the cairns esplanade is the perfect 40 minute track to start your day. A good spot for bird watching also.
• Mangrove Boardwalk: Airport Avenue, Cairns-Located off the airport road, 10minutes drive from the city. Pease are aware that this boardwalk has tropical mangroves, which mean plenty of mosquito's so please take repellent.
• Crystal Cascade: Redlynch-20 minutes from the city with a 1.2km walk into along the freshwater creek.
• Mossman Gorge walking track: -105km north of Cairns in Mossman just past Port Douglas. Mossman Gorge is situated in the heart of the world rainforest heritage with flowing water.
  

• Cairns Golf Course: 18holes-Par72-6139 metres
• Paradise Palms Golf Course: 18holes-Par72-6592 metres
• Palm Cove Country Club: 18 holes-Par70-5093 metres
• Mirage Country Club: 18 holes-Par72-6261 metres
• Half Moon Bay Golf Club: 18 holes-Par70-5129 metres
• The Links Port Douglas: 18holes-Par71-6125 metres

• Sugarworld Waterslides-Edmonton Cairns 10 km south of Cairns
• MAZE mania 4 Kids-Cairns Central Shopping Centre in the heart of Cairns city
• Go Karts-Captain Cook Highway-7km north of Cairns
• Cairns Esplanade Swimming Lagoon-Opened daily from 9am

Fishing

Cairns has many options to choose from for a day out at the deep blue. If you are looking to take back a few memories and a few bites fishing charters are available. With highly experienced crews and world class vessels we are able to recommend availability and the best cost for your request, choose from Heavy Tackle Marlin Fishing, Light Tackle Game Fishing, Reef Fishing, Calm Water Sports fishing.
Just send us an email and we will put together the right fishing package to suit your budget.

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Public Holidays in Cairns

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