Cairns History Walking Tour | 1 hour 30 minutes

50 Reviews | Cairns & the Tropical North
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Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: German, English
  • Tour Guide

Overview

Cairns may be a pretty face but its history is also rich and deep, going back at least 40,000 years. Explore beyond the rainforest and reef to the ancient and recent history, complete with stories and photographable architecture, art and landmarks. We look at buildings of significance from the early colony, including architectural styles, as well as indigenous outdoor artworks. You will learn about the importance of the natural features of Cairns (reef and rain forest), the oldest living culture in the world and the pre-colonial lifestyle. We talk about the challenges of colonisation, pirates and opium trade, and the early gold rush, farming, business, and the cultural melting pot that makes Cairns what it is today. Historic buildings highlighted include Cairns Museum, Cairns Art Gallery, Mulgrave Shire Office, Telegraph Office, Post Office, Chambers, Boland's Department Store, the Adelaide Steamship Company, Central Hotel, Chinatown, and Hides Hotel.

Itinerary

  • Cairns Museum

    Discuss the historic meeting place for traditional owners and colonial settlers.

    10 minutes

  • Cairns Art Gallery

    Discuss the Shields Street traditional aboriginal shields street art by Paul Bong as well as the gold rush and establishment of the colony. The history of the Public Curators building, now the Cairns Regional Gallery, is explored.

    10 minutes

  • Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

    The history of the reef and rainforest as World Heritage Sites is discussed. The history of early settlers, including pirates, is discussed.

    10 minutes

  • N/A

    The history of early government in Cairns is discussed in front of Mulgrave Shire building, the original local government headquarters for the colony.

    10 minutes

  • The Reef Hotel Casino

    The war memorial next to the Casino is visited and the role of the wars in Cairns life, especially World War 2, is explored.

    10 minutes

  • N/A

    From this position, the historic Bolands Centre as the first department store in Cairns is discussed. The Adelaide Steamship Company and the Central Hotel are also discussed from this vantage point.

    10 minutes

  • N/A

    The Chinatown exhibit infront of the bookstore is visited to discuss the important role of the Chinese in Cairns history and the history of Grafton Street as the heart of Chinatown.

    5 minutes

  • N/A

    Return to location of start of tour in front of Cairns Museum. Discuss the role of the School of Arts in the founding colony. Discuss the history of Hides hotel and the role of historic hotels in early colony life. Discuss the Trocadero Dance Hall across the road from Hides and role in World War 2 life for soldiers.

    5 minutes

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Free Cancellation

June 23100% refund
June 24No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.9

50 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    48
  • 4 stars
    1
  • 3 stars
    0
  • 2 stars
    0
  • 1 star
    1

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 48 reviews with 5 stars

Early beginnings in Cairns

Published on Jul, 2024

Joining together for an evening stroll around CAIRNS learning about the history of the area. Also good places to eat and shop.

Start here first!

Published on Apr, 2024

A great tour to take at the start of your visit to Cairns. Great overview of the history of the town and many informative additional details about where to find good food! Book it for your first day and you will have a good base for a great visit.

Best way to learn the history of Cairns

Published on Feb, 2024

Excellent walking tour of Cairns. Guide exceptionally knowledgeable about the area and its history. Would highly recommend.

An exceptional walking tour for an incite into Cairns history, architecture and folklore

Published on Jan, 2024

I rate this 90 minute walking tour of Cairns inner city very highly and would put it as a must do. Our guide Peter is able to convey an immense knowledge of history, architecture styles and local foke lore over the course of an easy walk. The style is very much like a conversation in delivery with added “old photos’ to view from his tablet. Peter opened our eyes to Cairns. We commenced a 5pm walk on a 35deg 75% humidity afternoon, but the pace ensured no hardship at all - due mostly to the fascination of the sites and stories. My wife and I did this on our last day - hindsight says do this on day 1 or 2 (our guide will smile at this - he says 90% say this). I have no hesitation in recommending Cairns Urban Walking Tours at all. (Jan30, 2024)

Cairns history walking tour

Published on Sep, 2023

Good general interest tour. Gave a lot of background history. The guide was very friendly and informative

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