Culture - Cairns Great Barrier Reef Official Tourism Site
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CULTURE

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Cairns and Great Barrier Reef is where adventure, world-class art and entertainment facilities, ancient indigenous culture and the tropical climate mingle to provide an ideal lifestyle.

There are numerous chances for you to share our unique tropical culture during your stay. Enjoy the privilege of an experience with indigenous Aborigines and Torres Straight Islanders, and be uplifted by the spirit of one of the world’s oldest surviving cultures or visit the renowned Cairns Regional Art Gallery.

Enjoy free live music and street theatre performances on the Cairns lagoon, concerts at Kuranda Amphitheatre and Tanks Art Centre, as well as exciting National Basketball League games inside the most environmentally friendly convention centre in Australia - the Cairns Convention Centre.

Regular markets, including the famous Rusty’s and Port Douglas Sunday Markets, the Esplanade Markets in Cairns, and Yungaburra and Kuranda Rainforest Village Markets on the Tropical Atherton Tablelands, are another exciting part of our cultural tapestry and great places to sample the local atmosphere, art, food, music and lifestyle.

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As well as our markets, regular events and annual celebrations such as Festival Cairns, Port Douglas Carnivale, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Coral Coast Triathlon and Cairns Amateurs Racing Carnival bring added life and colour to the city throughout the year.

Indigenous Culture

There are numerous options for you to learn, experience and take a magical adventure back in time with indigenous Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders as they share their creation stories, dances, traditions and way of life.

Delve into the world of Aboriginal art, bush medicine and bush tucker, then watch and sometimes join in on traditional dances, hunting and hear carefully preserved indigenous languages on a private or group tour experience in Cairns, Mossman, Kuranda, the Daintree rainforest or Cape York.

You can fly or drive from Cairns to the northern most tip of Australia and experience the pristine natural beauty of 122 islands and the tropical culture of indigenous Australian islanders in the Torres Strait.

Each island has its own unique character, cultural traditions and some have accommodation so you can stay and experience the landscape and culture of the region’s people first-hand.

The waters of the Torres Strait are home to some of the best fishing in Australia and offer a unique chance to see and perhaps try traditional indigenous fishing. But if you don’t manage to master the spear or land a catch with your bare hands, there are numerous charter fishing operators around the region ready to take you out to cast a line.

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The Bama-Way
The best way to experience a culture is to get in amongst it and on the Bama Way Aboriginal journey through coastal mangroves, rich rainforest, and hilltop savannah to Cape York, you can do just that!

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Live Band & Sunday Sesh @ Bungy
Soak up some Sunday culture with a bungy jump, a few bevvies and free live bands at AJ Hackett Bungy.

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Be part of one of Australia’s largest NBL crowds
Feeling the snakepit atmosphere at a Taipans home game is a must do Cairns experience.

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The Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival
Held on sacred, traditional land, the Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival is a place where Aboriginal people meet new and old family members, make new acquaintances, and pass on family histories. Experience this bi-annual festival to witness and gain insight into the uniqueness of Aboriginal culture through storytelling, dance, language and art.

 

 

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Attractions – Culture

Diving, Snorkelling, Rafting, Spa, Sightseeing, Shopping, Scenic Flight, Ballooning, Fishing, Off Road/4WD Safari , Wilderness, Bush walking, Birding, Golf, Nature Park, Guided Tour, Water Sports, Produce , Drive, Wildlife spotting, Overnight dive trip, Cruise, World Heritage, Unique Experiences,

Learn a new trick on the Esplanade
From live street theatre performers or a talented local or visitor playing on the Cairns Esplanade lagoon.

Rainforestation
Follow your guide along the Rainbow Serpent walkway and experience the magic of dreamtime at Rainforestation Nature Park.

Kuranda Dreamtime Trail
Kuranda to Cairns and see World Heritage-listed rainforest, birds and colourful butterflies, then enjoy an afternoon picnic and swimming in the crystal clear rock pools of Stoney Creek.


Rock Art
Guide yourself or join renowned story-teller and Nugal-Warra elder Willie Gordon on a truly amazing tour of sacred, ancestral rock art sites.

Tjapukai
By day or by night, experience indigenous culture hands-on at Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park.

Traditional Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony

Add some culture and spirituality to your special day with a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony.