Cairns welcomes you to Tropical North Queensland!
Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest.
The 3 most popular Cairns attractions.
Cairns has alot to explore with beautiful Waterfalls and Rainforests, a Spanish Castle, Crater Lakes, Crystal Caves, Volcanic Lava Tubes and much more.
The Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) gives you 24/7 access to accessible facilities across Australia.
Cairns has MLAK locks at Woree and Smithfield pools' Change-Ability change rooms, Lagoon's accessible toilet, Behana Gorge access gate, and Muddy's Playground Liberty Swing.
Look for signs with contact numbers for access without a key.
The Lagoon is a 4800sqm saltwater swimming area, open year-round and supervised by lifeguards.
It offers public toilets, showers, lockers, and free electric BBQs.
The Lagoon is wheelchair accessible, and an Aquatic Wheelchair is available for visitor use. Opening hours are 6am to 9pm from Thursday to Tuesday, and from noon to 9pm on Wednesdays (closed before noon for cleaning and maintenance).
Entry is free.
The Cairns Foreshore Promenade is the central focus point of the Cairns CBD with most restaurants and hotels within easy walking distance. It's also adjacent to the Cairns Marlin Marina, where the Great Barrier Reef tours leave from.
It features a coastal boardwalk over mudflats, offering birdwatching and enriched by art, culture, and history themes.
Wheelchair accessible, with toilets at five points along the 2.5 km walk.
Accessible toilets use the MLAK national keying system.
Along the path you will often see people jogging and using the "Green Gym" facilities.
Bike riders have their own designated pathway that is separate from the pedestrians.
Families gather on the esplanade to use the free playgrounds, BBQ's and waterpark facilities at Muddy's,
which also features a seaside café.
Cairns leads regional Australia with over 250 Braille and tactile street signs placed in the CBD, schools, and intersections.
Muddy's Playground is a contemporary, engaging, and secure water playground and park area.
Located midway of the Cairns Esplanade walk, majority of the playground is spread amoungst paved surfaces, including the water park.
It offers a mix of interactive and educational amenities, including water play zones, slides, swings, and more.
The all-abilities Liberty Swing requires an MLAK key for access.
Muddy's is open every day from 9 am to 7 pm, including weekends and holidays. Maintenance may briefly close sections on Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings, with at least half the playground usually available.
Palm Cove, Cairns
Postcard perfect and a very popular tourist destination with boutique beachside shops and restuarants.
You can freely borrow a beach wheelchair at Palm Cove anytime the lifeguards are on duty. Just approach the on-duty lifeguard, and they will provide you with the wheelchair and an indemnity book to fill out.
Ellis Beach, Cairns
You can borrow a beach wheelchair for free at Ellis Beach (Queensland Life Saver station)
on Saturdays from noon and all day on Sundays and public holidays between April and November.
Yorkeys Knob, Cairns
Only a short 15-minute drive from Cairns, Yorkeys Knob has accessible BBQ facilities, picnic tables, and toilets.
There is a flat path along the coast and through the park on the Esplanade that is pram and wheelchair friendly.
The Adventure Playground is popular with familes but unfortunately there is not much accessible
playground equipment for all abilities.
Cairns Botanic Gardens, a tropical haven celebrated as one of Australia's finest showcases of exotic plants.
Nestled in the heart of Edge Hill on Collins Avenue, these gardens offer a captivating journey through vibrant tropical flora.
Accessibility Information
Enjoy easy access throughout the gardens. While some paths in Flecker Garden aren't suitable for wheelchairs or prams, the rest of the gardens, including Centenary Lakes, are fully accessible.
The gardens offer on-street parking and Sunbus stops outside Flecker Gardens.
Assistance animals are permitted with proper documentation.
The Visitor Centre operates weekdays 8.30am to 4pm, weekends/public holidays 9.30am to 2pm (closed Christmas Day).
Cattana Wetlands Environmental Park, once a sugarcane farm turned nature reserve hosts over 200 bird species, indicative of the site's well-maintained habitat.
The wetlands attract both resident and migratory birds along with a diversity of insects.
It features BBQs, picnic spots, restrooms, and bird hides.
Open Daily from 5:30am to 7pm | Entry is Free
Located on Dunne Road, Smithfield, about 20km from Cairns CBD.
You can access it via Yorkeys Knob or McGregor Road.
Jabiru Lake Walk
Explore the largest lake, Jabiru Lake, on a 1.25km lap, offering a taste of Cattana Wetlands.
The loop is flat, sealed, and offers a scenic view of the lake, birdlife, and paperbark stands.
The walk features 5 viewing platforms, easy accessibility, and comfortable seating.
Feather Palm Walk
The 400m Feather Palm Forest Boardwalk is a serene detour from Jabiru Lake circuit.
Traverse Cattana Creek and witness the remnant of Cairns' feather palms.
Enjoy the short loop, followed by a grassy reserve with picnic facilities.
Jacana Lake Track (Unsealed Track)
Add 650m to your walk by taking the Jacana Lake Track, a serene path through a tree-covered trail.
It's an ideal choice for nature enthusiasts and reveals Jacana Pool, a tranquil spot.
Cuckoo Lake Circuit (Unsealed Track)
The 800m circuit around Cuckoo Lake and Crake Pond offers beautiful water views and a glimpse of serene areas.
Water lily enthusiasts will find plenty to admire, with opportunities to relax on seats and a viewing platform.
Kingfisher Pool Circuit (Unsealed Track)
The 600m Kingfisher Pool Circuit showcases Jabiru Lake, Crake Pond, and Cuckoo Lake.
The bird hide at Kingfisher Pool invites you to spot various bird species.
Along with BBQ areas and a memorial garden, the walk is a short yet rewarding experience.
