Shopping & Nightlife

Shopping

The Cairns Esplanade (www.cairnsesplanade.com) has numerous boutiques, stores and souvenir shops. It also features the Night Markets (www.nightmarkets.com.au), open daily until 11pm. You’ll find everything from surf wear to Australian arts and crafts.

To shop till you drop, head to Cairns Central (www.cairnscentral.com.au), the largest shopping complex in Cairns, complete with department stores, boutiques and specialty shops.

Located by the waterfront, The Pier MarketPlace (www.thepier.com.au) is another good shopping venue, particularly as it stays open until 9pm nightly.

Nightlife

Cairns offers plenty of tours and activities in the day, but it is also bustling with life at night. The city is popular with young people and backpackers, who crowd its bars and clubs after dark.

Hip clubs where you can dance the night away include Soho Nightclub and Lounge, Tropos Nightclub and The Woolshed, all located in the heart of the city.

Gilligan’s Backpackers Hotel & Resort (www.gilligansbackpackers.com.au), which has a trendy bar, beer hall and nightclub, is also a popular spot for drinks and people-watching.

The Reef Hotel Casino (www.reefcasino.com.au) is another great after-dark hangout. Besides trying your luck at the gaming tables and machines, you can check out Velvet Underground, a funky dance club that has played host to numerous international DJs.