General News
15 October, 2026
Forming global connections
CAIRNS has always looked outward, forging international bonds through its sister cities program.
The sister cities program has encouraged language learning, tourism, and economic development while reinforcing Cairns’ status as a globally minded regional centre.
Cairns currently has sister cities relationships with Lae (Papua New Guinea), Minami (Japan), Oyama (Japan), Riga (Latvia), Scottsdale (USA), Sidney (Canada) and Zhanjiang (China).
As part of Cairns Celebrates 150 Years, Cairns hosted delegations from Minami, Oyama and Lae who participated in civic receptions, cultural exchanges and community celebrations including the 2026 Cairns Festival parade.
A key moment of the program was the renewal of the sister city agreement with Oyama City, Japan, reaffirming 20 years of friendship, educational exchange and cultural collaboration between the two cities.
Sister cities ambassador Sim Hayward
Mrs Sim Hayward was appointed as Cairns’ sister cities ambassador at the August 2016 council meeting.
For 40 years Mrs Hayward has been a driving force behind Cairns’ sister cities program, helping build lasting friendships and connections with communities around the world.
During Cairns Celebrates 150 Years, Mrs Sim’s contribution was formally recognised with a commemorative plaque, honouring her outstanding voluntary service and her enduring legacy of strengthening Cairns’ global relationships
