Located along the water’s edge, the Cairns Esplanade is the beating heart and soul of Cairns. It’s vibrant and active from dawn to late at night where people from all walks of life come out to walk, run, socialise and enjoy the sea breezes that blow in from the ocean. No wonder it’s one of the most popular things to do in Cairns for locals and tourists alike. 

“THE cairns esplanade is the heart and soul of cairns.”

If you’re a local you already know what to do along the Cairns Esplanade. However, if you’re a tourist visiting Cairns for the first or second time, you’ll probably want to know what you can do along the Esplanade to make the most of your time at this popular attraction. 

This post lists 25 fun things to do along the Cairns Esplanade with advice, tips and tricks to make sure you have the best time while visiting this attraction. Of course, you can’t do all 25 things mentioned here. So do select a few from the list that sound the most interesting to you. 

Let’s take a look at my list of the 25 fun things to see and do along the Cairns Esplanade. The list runs in chronological order from North to South.

Table of Contents

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1. Play on the Funship / Pirate Ship Playground

2. Watch a sunrise or sunset

3. Go for a run, jog or walk

4. Go fishing

5. Cycle, rollerblade or scooter along

6. Workout on the exercise machines

7. Have a play at Muddy’s Playground

8. Dine at Muddy’s Cafe

9. Go bouldering

10. Have a go at the Skate Plaza

11. Play or watch a game of beach volleyball

12. Play or watch a game of basketball

13. Fly a kite or drone

14. Go bird-watching

15. Admire sculptures, artwork & memorials

16. Play on the mudbanks

17. Learn about Cairns’ history & culture

18. Take a ride on The Reef Eye

19. Swim in the Lagoon

20. Have a BBQ

21. Enjoy an Active Living fitness class

22. Stay at an accommodation overlooking the Esplanade

23. Dine at a restaurant overlooking the Esplanade

24. Watch performers after dark

25. Watch a fireworks display

25 Fun Things to Do on the Cairns Esplanade

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There are a couple of nice childrens’ play areas along the Cairns Esplanade and the Funship or Pirate Ship playground is one of them. 

It’s a popular place for parents to bring their kids to play either in the mornings or evenings. It’s also a popular place for kids’ birthday parties.

Created to look like a pirate ship, the main play area has multiple slides and lots of little nooks and crannies for kids to play in and hide. There’s plenty of space for the kids to run around if they get bored of playing on the equipment. 

Facilities nearby include toilets, water station, BBQ, benches, eating areas and carpark.

TIPS & ADVICE –
The playground is more suited to younger kids due to the limited play equipment. However, there’s a large acacia tree nearby and many of the older kids climb up the tree. 

When there’s little to no clouds in the sky, the sunrise and sunset over the ocean is simply beautiful to watch. I go for runs most mornings along the Esplanade and I get to watch the sunrise over the water and it is one of the best times of the day for me. 

If you’re staying at one of the apartments or hotels overlooking the Esplanade, you will get an even better view of the sunrise and sunset from your balcony window. Make sure to ask for an ocean-facing room upon check-in for best views.

TIPS & ADVICE –
The best time to view a sunrise or sunset is during late autumn and winter when the air is cleaner and less humid. In Cairns, this would fall between May and September.

The most popular activity on the Cairns Esplanade is exercising, particular running and walking. There are a lot of people out walking their dogs or getting their daily exercise in. 

Early mornings and evenings are the busiest times of the day. In the evenings, you can see throngs of people walking up and down the promenade, especially in the summer months. The southern end is always the busiest being close to the Lagoon and shops. 

Most of the running events are held along the Cairns Esplanade because of the nice running surface. Parkruns are held along the Esplanade every Saturday morning at 7am. The Cairns Parkrun website allows you to register your details if you want to participate in the parkrun.

The Cairns Marathon Festival is also held along the Cairns Esplanade which is why this is one of the best places to train or simply go for an easy jog. On the day of the marathon, the road is closed off so participants actually run on the road rather than on the foreshore promenade itself which is quite narrow and can get a bit crowded. 

The run leg of the Cairns Ironman Race is held along the foreshore promenade as the road is used for incoming bike riders. 

From short 5km parkruns to 42.2km marathons, the Cairns Esplanade is where it’s all happening for the running community. 

NOTE –
If you plan to run or walk along the Cairns Esplanade, the entire length is 2.5km. Distance markers are labelled on the footpath for your convenience.

Head over to the Cairns Esplanade at high tide, particularly early in the mornings, and you will see a few fishermen casting their nets near the mangrove swamps at the northern end of the Esplanade. There are also some fishermen who cast their rods a bit further south.

Small bait fish would be the most frequent catch in these waters. 

TIPS & ADVICE –
Be careful of where you walk as there have been crocodiles spotted along the mudflats. There is a sign board at the northern end of the Esplanade warning people of the possibility of crocodiles in the area. The best advice is to stay away from the mangrove swamp area.

There are multiple walkways/pathways along the Cairns Esplanade to allow for easy flow of foot traffic and wheeled traffic. There is a dedicated bike lane that goes for the entire length of the Cairns Esplanade, sometimes weaving out onto the side of the road and sometimes closing in adjacent to the foreshore promenade.

In addition to cycling, people also rollerblade, skateboard and ride electric scooters along the Cairns Esplanade. 

TIPS & ADVICE –
If you’re on wheels, remember to stick to the allocated bike path rather than riding your two-wheeler on the pedestrian footpath which can get quite busy at certain times of the day.

There are a couple of sets of public exercise machines along the Cairns Esplanade. One set is located north of the Cairns Hospital and the other one next to the Cenotaph.

The exercise machines next to the Cenotaph get quite busy in the mornings and evenings with lots of people working out along the Esplanade. However, the one next to the Hospital gets rarely used most days. 

If you’re visiting Cairns and want to get in a free workout, you can use these exercise machines along the Esplanade. They’re also fun for kids who like to play on these machines and try to do the exercises as well.  

Another popular play area on the Cairns Esplanade is Muddy’s Playground. Managed by the Cairns Regional Council, this is a fantastic splash playground and parkland suitable for kids of all ages. It incorporates a lot of different facilities to make it an all-round play experience for the kids. Some of the facilities you can find there include the following.

• Water play areas
• Flying fox
• Sound chimes
• Rope bridge
• Slides
• Mouse wheel
• Play houses
• See-saws
• Trick track
• Climbing frames
• Rope net tower

The icon of Muddy’s Playground is a giant blue tropical fish which the kids love to climb and walk all over as well as hide under. 

There are many amenities inside the playground itself. Apart from the public toilet block and water fountains, you will find Muddy’s Cafe which is a great place to get drinks, snacks and other meals for the kids or yourself while spending some time at the playground.

There is also a BBQ and several picnic areas making it an ideal spot to have a birthday party or lunch / dinner parties with family and friends. 

Nearby, you can find a free public car park and on-street parking as well. 

The iconic Muddy’s Cafe is situated in a lovely spot on the Cairns Esplanade. It’s located inside the Muddy’s Playground; however, it does have some tables near the promenade that face the water’s edge. 

Open from as early as 6am daily, it’s a popular spot to have an early breakfast or coffee when out walking along the Esplanade. It does get very busy during the day when sometimes it can be hard to find a table during the busy lunch period. The cafe is popular in the evenings too when it gets packed with hungry diners.   

During the summer months, it’s a great place to dine for its eclectic menu, lovely, relaxed atmosphere, sea breezes and waterfront views.

TIPS & ADVICE –
Muddy’s Cafe have Taco Tuesdays where you can get a special deal for their tasty tacos. 

Halfway along the Cairns Esplanade next to the Hospital is the Bouldering Park. 

Free to use by the general public, there are a few bouldering walls built around two giant boulders with a slab on top. The footholds are colour-coded and the aim is to climb to the top and back down using a single colour route. There are different grades so people of all abilities can have a go at climbing the walls. There are also a couple of smaller ones for little kiddies to try their hand at. 

TIPS & ADVICE –
If you’re keen to improve your bouldering skills, head to the Bouldering Park on Wednesday between 5 and 6pm where you can get coaching from Topknot Climbing as part of the Cairns Regional Council Active Living Program. It’s free and open to all ages and abilities.

Not quite as popular as some of the other sporting venues along the Cairns Esplanade, the skate plaza is a great place to try out your skills if you enjoy doing tricks on skateboards or scooters. Evenings are clearly the busiest time at the skate park, but for the most part it’s relatively quiet so you’ll probably have the place to yourself. 

There are a couple of different skating rinks at the plaza so you can choose one based on your skill level. There are some easy areas for beginners on the outskirts of the plaza with the main drome for the advanced.

The beach volleyball precinct at the Cairns Esplanade becomes a popular spot when the sun starts to go down in the evenings. Open till 9:30pm at night, it’s quite common to see groups of friends or random people gather to play against each other a fun and exciting game of beach volleyball.   

TIPS & ADVICE –
If you’re keen to try your hand at beach volleyball but never played it before don’t worry. You can join the Active Living fitness program offered by the Cairns Regional Council. Held on Tuesdays between 5:30 and 6:30pm, you can learn to play the sport with the help of elite coaches Joel and Luke who lead the weekly clinics. The session combines skill training and play with groupings for all skill levels. 

Check the Cairns Regional Council website to make sure that the sessions are running before heading down there.

Next to the Skate Plaza and Beach Volleyball courts is the basketball court with a small viewing stadium located on the side of the court.

It’s another popular venue in the evenings when kids and adults alike shoot hoops or play a game of basketball here.

TIPS & ADVICE –
Because it’s such a popular spot, it’s very hard to get a chance to shoot some hoops on the basketball court unless you go there during the day.

There are plenty of green spaces along the Cairns Esplanade which are perfect for flying a kite or a drone. In fact, there is a local man who flies his kite every day on the patch of green next to the Cairns Hospital. He is a very good kite flyer and quite often, he will have an audience of people watching his aerial abilities. 

So next time you have nothing to do and it’s not windy outside, head down to the Cairns Esplanade with your kite or drone and give it a test drive.

TIPS & ADVICE –
The best time to fly your kite or drone is when the winds are slight. Otherwise, you risk damaging or losing your kite or drone as the winds can blow them away towards the ocean or into one of the trees nearby. Also, it’s not fun trying to wrestle with the wind to get your equipment up in the air or to manoeuvre it properly. 

Cairns Esplanade is a shorebird habitat which means that you’ll get to see many bird species as you walk along the foreshore promenade. 

Most of the birds that you’ll see are migratory species so depending on the time you visit you’ll get to see different species of birds. 

Bird enthusiasts would be pleased to know that the birds commonly sighted here are Eastern Curlew, Great Knot, Curlew Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Red Knot and Lesser Sand Plover. 

It’s quite common to see many bird enthusiasts with professional cameras fitted with super-sized lenses taking photos of these birds wading around on the mudflats.  

Another common sight are the resident pelicans that roost on the rocks on the north side of the Esplanade Lagoon next to the Citizens Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef artwork. You can see them mostly in the evenings when they return from feeding to rest on the rocks. Depending on your luck, you can see from one or two to several of them at a time. They are a delight to watch. Sometimes they can be very active; other times, they’re just casually sitting on the rocks or on the mudflats doing nothing. 

Resident Waders

Some birds seen on the Cairns mudflats do not leave Australia to breed. But like their migratory cousins, they depend heavily on the food and sanctuary that the Esplanade area provides. Resident waders include Australian Pelicans, Black-fronted Dotterel, various Egrets and Herons, Black-necked Storks, Royal Spoonbills, Red-capped Plovers, Oystercatchers and non-breeding migratory species. Whether they are fishing the shallows, probing the mud for nutrients, or just resting at high tide. Please do not disturb them. 

Many of our shorebirds travel 25,000km between breeding and non-breeding habitats. They come to the Cairns mudflats to recuperate and to feed undisturbed. All mature shorebirds transition to their breeding plumage before leaving on their long flights north. 

How You Can Help?
– Please enjoy watching the birds but remember to keep your distance
– Your dog must always be kept on a leash within the Esplanade Parklands
– Please keep off the mudflats and do not disturb the birds

As you walk along the Cairns Esplanade you will find many different sculptures and artwork along the promenade. There are also a couple of Memorial sites dedicated to the Cairns residents who lost their lives in combat. The ones that are worth noting are the following. 

• Two metal cutout sculptures – one depicting a person with their hands up in the air and another a person upside down
• RAAF Catalina Squadrons WWII Memorial – in memory of the crew of Number 11 Squadron Catalina A24-25 who died on 28 February 1943
• Memorial to those enlisted from Cairns who lost their lives in the Great War from 1914 to 1918
• Two replica cannons from the Great War
• Citizens Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef – a blue mirror-like circular artwork located next to The Reef Eye

At low tide, the mudbanks along the Cairns Esplanade becomes a playground for some if you like to get your feet dirty. As long as there are no birds around, you can run around and squelch your feet in the mud which can be a lot of fun. Kids will love running around and getting dirty and it’s a great way for them to burn off some energy. 

You can also try your luck looking for things in the mud. You might find some little creatures or some bits and pieces washed up from the sea. Either way, it’s a great place to run and explore in nature. 

As you walk along the boardwalk section of the Cairns Esplanade you will come across some brightly-coloured information boards depicting the history and nature of the area. 

Depending on the time of day, it can be a bit hard to read the information here because of the light from the sun. However, it’s worth having a read to learn about the history and culture of Cairns including the Aboriginal culture associated with the land as well as multicultural Cairns. There is also a lot of information on Australia’s tropical rainforests and the marine habitat that surrounds the city.

Located on the Western Event Lawn at the southern end of the Cairns Esplanade is Cairns’ very own ferris wheel – The Reef Eye. At 35m high, this big and awe-inspiring state-of-the-art structure is not to be missed. 

If you’re visiting Cairns, you have to take a ride in the ferris wheel for incredible 360-degree views of Cairns and beyond. The fully enclosed gondolas means that you’re protected from the elements so you’re very safe when up in the air.  

However, if you’re scared of heights or just don’t want to go up in the ferris wheel, then it’s still worth seeing this monumental structure for its incredible beauty.

The Reef Eye is open from 10am to 10pm daily.

TIPS & ADVICE –
The Reef Eye is best viewed after dark for its amazing LED light display. It is the centrepiece of the Cairns Esplanade and brings the promenade to life after dark. 

Situated at the southern end of the Cairns Esplanade is the hugely popular Esplanade Lagoon that attracts hundreds of locals and visitors alike during the hot summer months. Not only is it free, it’s open from 6am to 10pm daily except for Wednesdays when it is closed for maintenance till midday. 

Because Cairns and the surrounding areas are crocodile habitats, it is not advisable to go swimming in the creeks, rivers or ocean here. For this reason, the Lagoon is a safe and enjoyable swimming area suitable for everyone from young to old. You’ll find many families here with kids of all ages. The Lagoon has many different water depths making it ideal for people of all swimming abilities to enjoy spending time in the water. 

There’s a sandy area perfect for kids to make sandcastles and a grassy lawn for adults to relax and enjoy the shade under the palm trees. There are also lifeguards on duty at all times as well as toilets and shower facilities nearby. 

The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is really the perfect place to take a dip as it’s centrally located right in the heart of the city next to the hotels and shops.

One of the best things I love about the Cairns Esplanade are the many BBQ stations that line the promenade. It’s a great way to socialise and have a meal with family and friends while enjoying being outside next to the waterside. It’s the perfect location for having a BBQ picnic. 

The BBQs are very popular with groups of people having lunch picnics or dinners along the Esplanade. There are tables and benches next to each BBQ so you can either use them for your party or bring your own table and chairs. Each BBQ area has a name so if you’re inviting other people you can let them know which BBQ station you will be at. 

Best of all, they are free to use and they’re cleaned by the Council each morning.

Cairns Regional Council offers eight Active Living fitness classes along the Cairns Esplanade as part of their initiative to engage the community in fitness and activity. Not only are these classes free, it’s a great way to get outdoors, get some exercise and meet some new people while working out. 

Some of these programs have been mentioned in other sections of this post already but here is the comprehensive list of the Active Living Fitness Classes.  

1. Zumba Fitness

When: Tuesdays, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Location: Fogarty Park

If you’ve never done Zumba before, it’s an exercise class held in the format of a dance with high energy Latin and international music. It’s a fun and easy way to get fit. 

2. Aqua Zumba

When: Wednesdays, 5.30pm to 6.30pm & Saturdays 9am to 10am
Location: Lagoon

Aqua Zumba is an invigorating low-impact aquatic exercise that’s conducted in the lagoon. It’s popular most times of the year but I would imagine it would be very nice exercising in the lagoon during the hot summer months. There are 2 Aqua Zumba classes each week. 

3. Beach Volleyball

When: Tuesdays, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Location: Cairns Esplanade Beach Volleyball Court

Suitable for all skill levels, the Beach Volleyball Active Living fitness classes allow you to learn to play beach volleyball, increase your skills, or just to have a fun hour of sport. 

4. Bouldering

When: Wednesdays, 5pm to 6pm
Location: Cairns Esplanade Bouldering Park (across from Cairns Base Hospital)

Learn how to boulder or improve your climbing skills during these Active Living fitness classes with instruction and shoes provided by Topknot Climbing Club. 

5. Pilates

When: Thursdays, 6.30am to 7.30am
Location: Fogarty Park

Learn the basics of Pilates during these Active Living fitness classes at the Fogarty Park soundshell. 

6. Sahaja Yoga Meditation

When: Saturdays, 7.30am to 8.30am
Location: Cairns Esplanade Eastern Event Lawn (next to Lagoon)

If you’ve never done Sahaja Yoga Meditation before, here’s your chance to start with free classes next to the lagoon. 

7. Seniors Exercise

When: Mondays, 9.30am to 10.30am
Location: Fogarty Park

Perfect for senior citizens who are at risk of falling in their home or outside, the Seniors Fitness program is a falls prevention program. The classes help to aid strength, balance, stability and functional movement in older adults. 

There is no better location to stay in Cairns than at one of the apartments or hotels overlooking the Cairns Esplanade. The location is so central right next to everything you’ll need and want – restaurants, shops, the Lagoon, Esplanade and other attractions. 

There are a multitude of accommodation options to choose from so you will be spoilt for choice when deciding which apartment or hotel to choose. The standards are quite good in Cairns so you won’t be disappointed whichever option you go with. The big hotel chains can be quite expensive but you will find many smaller accommodation options with good deals and prices that are equally good and better value.

TIPS & ADVICE –
Choosing a room with a view gives you the best option as the views overlooking the water are stunning especially at sunrise and sunset.

One of the best experiences you can have along the Cairns Esplanade is dining on the waterfront with lovely views over the water. Everyone can and should do this whether you’re a visitor or local to Cairns. 

There are many options and locations to choose from. You can try a few different dining options depending on how long you’re staying in Cairns. 

Muddy’s Cafe is more low key with its cafe-style food and drinks while Crystalbrook Flynn, Salt House, The Pier Bar and Dundees are more upmarket and expensive.

TIPS & ADVICE –
Most restaurants in Cairns have lunch specials during the week so it’s worth dining out at lunch time.

Head to the Cairns Esplanade after dark or around dusk to see the buskers come out to do their thing. Performers can do anything so expect everything from blowing fire to gymnastics, magic tricks and getting the crowd involved in their acts.

Most of them line the promenade west of the Lagoon and you will find a crowd surrounding them if they’re any good.

Throughout the year, the Cairns Regional Council puts on a fireworks display at the Cairns Esplanade. Some popular dates are on New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year Festival and Cairns Festival Grand Parade. On New Year’s Eve, they host two fireworks – one for the kids at 8:30pm and another at midnight. 

The fireworks are a spectacular show of colour and crackle that last for about 5 to 10 minutes. The finale is the best and kept for the last so it ends with a bang and flourish.

TIPS & ADVICE –
There are a few good vantage points from where you can get a good look at the fireworks. The pontoon is placed out on the water west of the lagoon so the best spot would probably be standing in front of the lagoon next to the water’s edge. You can also walk around to the waterfront in front of The Pier Bar to see the fireworks from the other side. 

Conclusion

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There are so many things to do along the Cairns Esplanade that you could spend the entire day exploring this area. It’s worth breaking it up and seeing bits of the Esplanade on different days as it can be quite tiring doing the entire length in a stretch. 

If there’s one thing that you do in Cairns, exploring the Cairns Esplanade should be it. You get to see the best of Cairns. And best of all, most of the things to see and do here are free and maintained by the Cairns Regional Council. 

“all the attractions along the cairns esplanade are free.”

For more things to see and do in Cairns, read my article 101 Things to Do in Cairns. It’s a comprehensive list of everything you can do in Cairns allowing you to create the perfect bucket list for your next holiday to this exciting destination. 

I love to hear from my readers. Have you been to the Cairns Esplanade? What do you like the most about it? Are you a local or just visiting? Please leave your comments below.