Cairns

The city itself was named after William Wellington Cairns (the then Governor of Queensland). Cairns was formed to serve miners heading for the Hodgkinson River goldfields, but experienced a decline when an easier route was discovered from Port Douglas. It later developed into a railhead and major port for exporting sugar cane, gold, metals, minerals and agricultural products from surrounding coastal areas and the Atherton Tableland region.

The city is now rapidly expanding, with a population of 135,856 (as of 2008). Tourism is the largest income producer for the region, followed closely by the sugar industry.

Cairns is located about 1,701 km (1,057 m) from Brisbane, and about 2,420 km (1,504 m) from Sydney by road. It is a popular travel destination for foreign tourists because of its tropical climate and proximity to many attractions. The Great Barrier Reef can be reached in less than an hour by boat. The Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation are popular areas for experiencing a tropical rainforest. It is also a starting point for people wanting to explore Cooktown, Cape York Peninsula, and the Atherton Tableland.

History

In 1770, James Cook first mapped the future site of Cairns, naming it Trinity Bay. Closer investigation by several official expeditions 100 years later established its potential for development into a port.

The land belonged to the Walubarra Yidinji people who still recognise local indigenous property rights and interests in the area.

Cairns was founded in 1876, hastened by the need to export gold discovered on the tablelands to the west of the inlet. The site was predominantly mangrove swamps and sand ridges. The swamps were gradually cleared by labourers, and the sand ridges were filled in with dried mud, sawdust from local sawmills, and ballast from a quarry at Edge Hill. Debris collected from the construction of a railway to Herberton on the Atherton Tableland, a project which started in 1886, was also used. The railway opened up land that was later used for agriculture on the lowlands (sugar cane, corn, rice, bananas, pineapples), and for fruit and dairy production on the Tablelands. The success of local agriculture helped Cairns to establish itself as a port, and the creation of a harbour board in 1906 helped to assure its economic future.

During World War II, Cairns was used by the Allied Forces as a staging base for operations in the Pacific. After World War II, Cairns slowly reinvented itself as a centre for tourism. The opening of the Cairns International Airport in 1984, and the building of the Cairns Convention Centre established the city's overseas reputation as a desirable destination for the tourism and business conference markets.

It is often said Cairns tourism started when the first 1000lb Black Marlin was caught here, that may be true but these days many more people come to look at the fish than catch them.

Tourism, along with farming are now Cairns main industries.

Climate

Located in the Wet Tropics, the region’s climate is hot and humid during summer months with mild, dry winters. The rainy season generally occurs during summer between January and March. The average rainfall is 1992mm on an average of 154 days of the year.

From December to March, the monsoon trough is close to Cairns and brings with it hot, humid conditions and possible thunderstorms and tropical cyclones. The tropical cyclone season is normally from December to April but exceptions do occur.

From May to October, there are evening and overnight showers that generally dry off by the afternoon. The temperature in the Cairns region is fairly uniform, ranging from 23-31°C in mid-summer and 18-28°C in mid-winter. A perfect time to get into your own bath tub and relax.

Cairns will a great spot for vaction where restaurants, bars and cafes are using Bathroom hand basins due to the heat understanding that people would like to cool down and wash their hands often.