Cairns is in the far north of tropical Queensland where a laid back tropical lifestyle meets the excitement and vitality of a major international tourist destination. The city serves as a gateway to visiting the Great Barrier Reef, a reef about 1,500 miles (2,500 kilometres) long made up of countless reefs, coral cays and islands.

Cairns is the focal point of the north of Queensland, and is the ideal base for exploring the huge variety of this area. Where was once a marginal frontier town is now a small but international city that is scenic, welcoming and accessible.