Cairns Esplanade

Cairns Esplanade is a tropical paradise with swimming, playgrounds, and great food.

The Cairns Esplanade is a vibrant area that offers many kinds of facilities to do in a day. Locals love to spend time at the Esplanade, and so do visitors of Cairns who love to explore parts of the tropical city.

Swim in the Lagoon

The Lagoon is a beautiful swimming area that sits right by the ocean. The Lagoon is open all year round with free entry, making it a great way to spend a few hours on a warm day to cool off and relax. Nearby there is an outdoor gym, beach volleyball, skatepark, and many more activities.

Join a fitness class

Get involved in one of the eight free fitness classes that run along the Cairns Esplanade. Throughout the week there are different activities that suit all fitness levels. Come along and join Zumba, bouldering, seniors exercise, Pilates, beach volleyball or yoga.

Cook a meal on the BBQs

Along the Esplanade there are many BBQ’s and picnic areas to enjoy a delicious lunch with family and friends. Come down and have a casual BBQ outing or bring some light snacks and use the picnic areas and enjoy the views. If you plan to have an event, you can even book a BBQ online to secure it for the day!

See the public art

Along the Esplanade there is free public art you come across. One of the most popular artworks is the Woven Fish in the Lagoon or the six metre high Citizens Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Brings the kids to the playgrounds

The Esplanade has three fun playgrounds that the kids will love playing on by the foreshore. The playgrounds have climbing opportunities, slides, and the Muddy’s Playground with a water play area.

Learn about the memorials and monuments

The memorials and monuments along Cairns Esplanade foreshore highlight Cairns’ history. There are memorials that acknowledge the people who served in World War I and World War II. The Memorial Gardens recognises and remembers those who volunteered, emergency service workers, and military service personnel who contributed to the community.