About the Location

 

Cairns

Cairns is a city in the state of Queensland, Australia.  It has a population of approximately 158,000 people. Cairns has much cultural diversity with 20% of its people being born overseas. 

The first recorded human occupants of the Cairns area were Australian Aboriginal peoples. Tribal groups to the south are the Gimuy Walubara and to the north are the Yirrganydjii.  The official birth date of Cairns is 1 November 1876. 

The Cairns region is located within a narrow coastal strip between the Great Dividing Range and the Coral Sea, and is part of Australia’s Wet Tropics.  It is the only place in the world where two World Heritage areas meet - the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. 

The gateway to Queensland’s tropical north, Cairns is a stylish city, which is also renowned for its relaxed, tropical climate and laid back ambience.  Visiting Cairns, (in the very heart of the Asia Pacific), is like finding yourself in an adventure wonderland.  There’s so much to do and see, and your every desire is catered for – from the reef to the rain forest.  Cairns City has the very best of everything… great restaurants, excellent accommodation, exciting shopping, a casino and over 600 tour choices.

You can leap from Cairns into the World Heritage wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Relax in the resorts of Port Douglas and Mission Beach or on Lizard Island. Take the old railway to Kuranda, or follow the Great Tropical Drive to white water rivers and the Atherton Tablelands. Head north to Cape Tribulation or take the Savannah Way for an outback journey.

 

Currency

The official currency used in Australia is the Australian dollar (AUS). the rate of exchange will be around:

1 USD = 1.39 AUD
1 AUD = 0.72 USD

 

Electricity

The standard electricity supply is 220/240 volts. American appliances may need a transformer. 

Dress code

The best way to deal with Australia's summers is to dress light, while remaining conservative. Cotton garments are ideal and woollens are not recommended. A light sweater may be needed for the evenings.  Light walking shoes and a hat are absolute necessities. 

Language

English is the official language of Australia. 

Emergencies

Telephone 000 for emergencies.