General News
22 July, 2026
A city embraced by the sea
FOR 150 years, Cairns has been a city with sand between its toes.
Long before the city was founded in 1876, the region’s beaches and islands were part of the sea country of First Nations peoples for fishing, ceremony, travel and cultural connection.
When European settlement began, the coastal landscape looked vastly different from today’s bustling tourist hotspots.
Quickly developing their own bond with the rugged coastline from Machans to Holloways, Yorkeys Knob, Trinity, Clifton, Palm Cove and Ellis Beach, early settlers relied on the stunning landscape more for survival than as a beach escape.
As Cairns flourished, these secluded communities evolved from bushland and farming into thriving residential suburbs, offering an enviable tropical lifestyle for locals and visitors alike.
Offshore, Green, Fitzroy and Double islands built remarkable histories of their own and have deep connections with First Nations peoples.
Green Island became one of Australia’s earliest tourism destinations, welcoming pleasure cruises from the 1890s and pioneering attractions, including glass-bottom boat tours and an underwater observatory.
Fitzroy Island evolved from a place of cultural significance and maritime refuge into a quarantine station, mission settlement and, ultimately, one of the region’s most loved island escapes.
Double Island, a deeply sacred indigenous site, has been home to mining, military and celebrities and today the promise of a multimillion-dollar revitalisation.
The coastline has also played its part in history. During World War II, Trinity Beach became a major amphibious training base for thousands of Australian and American troops before returning to the relaxed coastal character locals cherish today.
Today, Cairns’ coastline is recognised around the world with its beaches and islands attracting millions of visitors while remaining treasured local destinations for sunrise walks, family gatherings, leisure pursuits and weekend escapes.
Environmental education, lifeguard services and conservation programs continue to protect these natural assets as visitation grows, ensuring future generations can enjoy the same spectacular coastline.
Despite 150 years of transformation, one thing has never changed. In Cairns, the beaches and islands are far more than postcard destinations – they remain part of everyday life, defining the tropical lifestyle and the unique identity of the city.
