Cairns, Australia is a small, tropical city that’s located on the Far North Queensland coast. It’s almost 1,700 kilometres north of the state’s capital of Brisbane and only a few hours away by car from the town of Port Douglas.
The city is known as the gateway to the world-heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, as well as the Far North Queensland region more generally. Cairns’ tropical climate of hot, humid summers and warm, dry winters also attracts sun-seekers looking for year-round warmth.
Getting to Cairns
Whether you’re travelling for a holiday in Cairns, Australia or you’re coming to study in Cairns for a prolonged period, it’s super easy to get here. Cairns Airport is conveniently located to make the most of Asia-Pacific travel routes and it offers direct flights to locations across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia and Singapore. The airport is also just a short flight away from Brisbane, where you can hop on a connecting flight to other overseas destinations.
Of course, if you’re already in Australia, you don’t have to travel by plane. If you prefer more leisurely travel, why not take the train? The Spirit of Queensland rail line runs between Brisbane and Cairns five days a week. There are also multiple bus routes you can take advantage of – just be sure to check how long the journey will be before you hop on board! You can learn more about getting around Queensland by bus, train and ferry here.
Getting around Cairns
Cairns is a relatively small city, meaning it’s very easy to get around on foot or by bike. If you want to avoid the heat, Cairns also offers a bus service called Sunbus that runs through the city and out to the southern and northern suburbs. Alternatively, you can use one of the many taxi and rideshare services available, such as Uber, Ola and Shebah.
Education providers in Cairns
Those who study in Cairns will be pleased to know that the city is home to a range of world-renowned education providers.
Students interested in completing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree have the option to study at James Cook University or CQUniversity. Students looking for vocational studies can find courses at TAFE Queensland, International College of Queensland ICQ, EIM International and Cairns College of English and Business (which also offers English language courses).
Why study in Cairns?
When you choose to study in Cairns, Australia you can expect to enjoy a laid-back, outdoorsy lifestyle, especially since you’ll be situated so close to some of Queensland’s best natural attractions. The city’s unique location gives you the chance to study just moments away from one of the seven natural wonders of the world (the Great Barrier Reef) and the world’s oldest tropical rainforest. Here, you’ll benefit from a unique, hands-on learning experience as you explore some of the world’s most diverse natural environments.
Thanks to its tropical climate, Cairns also boasts a vibrant nightlife with plenty of outdoor restaurants, cool bars and live music events to enjoy throughout the year.
Additionally, students hoping to work in Australia during and after their studies will have several employment prospects in Cairns. The region is home to a thriving job market, with booming tourism and hospitality sectors in particular. Education providers in Cairns also offer students a multitude of industry connections, networking opportunities and other employment support services. Learn more about launching your career in Cairns.
Learn more about Cairns
This introduction to Cairns is really just the beginning; there’s so much more to learn about this tropical Australian city and it’s available right here at your fingertips. Click any of the links below to learn more about living and studying in Cairns, Australia.
10 Awesome Reasons to Live in Cairns
A Guide to Launching Your Career in Cairns
The Benefits of Studying (and Working) in Cairns
Photos courtesy of Tourism & Events Queensland.
