QLDPort & river
Cairns
Before reef holidays, it was a goldfield gateway.
1876Town and port established
WHAT STARTED IT
Cairns was established as a coastal port serving the Hodgkinson goldfields and the inland district. Its harbour offered a place to land supplies and export mineral wealth.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
Competition with other ports, railway construction and the growth of agriculture shaped its early years. Later aviation and international tourism transformed its economic role. The redeveloped Cairns Esplanade and its saltwater lagoon officially opened on 29 March 2003.
TURNING POINTS
1876Cairns is founded as a port town.
Late 1800sRail links strengthen its inland connections.
2003The redeveloped Cairns Esplanade and its saltwater lagoon officially opened on 29 March.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A regional service city and international gateway to the reef and rainforest. Tourism is prominent, alongside health, education, transport and trade.