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WORDS: KERRY SHARP PHOTOS: TOURISM QUEENSLAND<br />
FROM DAWN<br />
’TIL DUSK<br />
CHARMING<br />
CAIRNS<br />
Far North Queensland’s vibrant<br />
capital is a kaleidoscope of tropical<br />
colour, with the Great Barrier Reef on<br />
its doorstep<br />
7am: Get an early start from your<br />
luxurious digs at the fi ve-star Sebel<br />
Cairns (17 Abbott St, tel: 1800 079<br />
100) and take a leisurely stroll among<br />
the yachts and cruise boats moored<br />
along the nearby waterfront marina.<br />
8am: Follow your nose towards the<br />
tantalising aromas of freshly brewed<br />
coffee and scrumptious breakfast<br />
delicacies wafting from the Boardwalk<br />
Café (Shop 1B Pier Marketplace,<br />
tel: +61 (7) 4031 5496).<br />
9am: Take a half-day, high-speed<br />
Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruise (Reef<br />
Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St,<br />
tel: +61 (7) 4051 0444) for two hours<br />
of beachcombing or snorkelling<br />
among the marine life in the waters of<br />
this glorious tropical cay.<br />
1pm: Back on the mainland and<br />
famished for a feed? Head for famous<br />
Rusty’s Market (CBD between Grafton<br />
EVENTS /// PROFILES /// GADGETS /// PLACES /// HEALTH /// STYLE<br />
The Skyrail<br />
Rainforest Cableway<br />
viewing platform<br />
and Sheridan Sts, tel: +61 (7) 4051<br />
5100) for a feast of fresh tropical fruit<br />
and exotic dishes. This once-humble<br />
venue is now bursting at the seams<br />
with 180 overfl owing stalls that create<br />
its carnival atmosphere.<br />
2pm: Take a 7.5-km gondola ride<br />
above the tree canopy on the Skyrail<br />
Rainforest Cableway (cnr Captain<br />
Cook Hwy and Cairns Western Arterial<br />
Rd, tel: +61 (7) 4038 1555) to the<br />
charming Kuranda Village. A mustsee<br />
here is the Australian Butterfl y<br />
Sanctuary (8 Rob Veivers Dr, tel: +61<br />
(7) 4093 7575), home to majestic<br />
species like the electric blue<br />
Ulysses Butterfl y.<br />
3.30pm: Ride back to Cairns on the<br />
historic Kuranda Scenic Railway<br />
(Bunda St Cairns, tel: + 61 (7) 4036<br />
SHANE MOLLER,<br />
BAR AND GRILL<br />
PROMOTER<br />
“ Cairns<br />
embraces<br />
you<br />
from the<br />
moment<br />
you arrive.<br />
It’s so<br />
fresh,<br />
green,<br />
vibrant and<br />
stunningly<br />
beautiful,<br />
and has<br />
such a<br />
fun-loving<br />
personality.<br />
It’s packed<br />
with<br />
excitement,<br />
no matter<br />
what time<br />
of the day<br />
or night<br />
”<br />
Enjoy some<br />
snorkelling<br />
The Skyrail<br />
Rainforest Cableway<br />
9333), travelling over bridges and<br />
through tunnels past the rainforests<br />
and waterfalls of Barron Gorge.<br />
4pm: Spend a couple of hours at<br />
the Cairns Lagoon — 4,800 sq m<br />
of spectacular saltwater swimming<br />
space, boardwalks and sandy<br />
foreshores across from the Esplanade.<br />
8pm: For a succulent steak and a<br />
night of rip-roaring entertainment,<br />
grab a table and let your hair down at<br />
The Woolshed Char Grill and Bar (24<br />
Shields St, tel: +61 (7) 4031 6304).<br />
FROM ONLY S$408<br />
Jetstar fl ies to Cairns via Darwin<br />
from Singapore daily, and from<br />
across Australia.<br />
Book online at<br />
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