I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about Cairns Esplanade Lagoon as it’s a popular place to visit while in Cairns. It should definitely be on your shortlist of things to do in Cairns. If you’re reading this post, you probably want to know more about this attraction other than what you’ve heard along the grapevine. 

“Cairns esplanade lagoon is a favourite with locals and tourists alike.”

Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. As a Cairns local, the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon happens to be my family’s favourite place to hang out in the hot summer months. So I do know a lot about this venue having spent so much time here with my kids.  

In this article, you’ll find out the many reasons to visit Cairns Esplanade Lagoon giving you plenty of ideas of what you can do on a visit here. In addition, there’s detailed information about the venue including facilities available, opening hours, best time to visit, how to get here and parking options. Lastly, check out all my photos of this beautiful attraction. 

Table of Contents

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1. 15 Reasons to Visit Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

2. Interesting Facts about the Lagoon

3. Artwork at the Lagoon

4. Facilities Available 

5. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Rules

6. Opening Hours

7. Best Time to Visit 

8. Address

9. How to Get Here

10. Parking at Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

11. Upcoming Events

12. Frequently Asked Questions

13. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Photos

15 Reasons to Visit Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

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1. It’s free

One of the main reasons I love to visit the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is because it’s free. Unlike other pools in Cairns which are located in hotels and resorts and only accessible to patrons, the lagoon is free for everyone to use. It’s run and managed by the Cairns Regional Council so it’s a free public space for locals and visitors alike. 

Because it’s free, it can get quite busy during the summer months. However, this adds to the ambience and atmosphere at the lagoon. And because it’s free, you can stay for as little or as long as you like. 

2. It’s open most of the day 7 days a week

Another reason why I love visiting the lagoon is because it’s open everyday of the week from morning to night (except Wednesday when it’s closed till 12 pm for cleaning and maintenance).

Visit whenever you like on weekdays or weekends, for a morning, afternoon or evening swim in the lagoon. 

3. It’s a safe, croc-free and stinger-free swimming spot 

You have to be very careful where you swim in Cairns. You cannot swim at the beaches as crocodiles lurk in the water and Irukandji jellyfish stings are deadly. Many creeks are off limits too. 

“the waters around cairns can be dangerous for swimming.”

Before you think of jumping into any watering holes in and around Cairns, look out for signs warning of crocodiles or jellyfish. If there isn’t any, then it’s a safe swimming hole. Also, if you see other people swimming there, then you know it’s safe. 

Luckily for us locals and visitors, the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is a safe saltwater swimming pool that is free of all nasties. It’s easily accessible making it a great place for a swim. 

4. It’s located in the heart of Cairns city

The lagoon is conveniently located in the centre of the city at the southern end of the Cairns Esplanade. It’s next to everything really – shopping centres, restaurants, hotels and even public transport. 

See Address and Parking sections below for details. 

5. It’s patrolled by lifeguards 

Lifeguards are on duty when the lagoon is open to the public. They are there for the safety of the public and to ensure that the rules of the lagoon are being followed. 

You will see them at their viewing platform in front of the change rooms. They are also regularly on patrol and they will pull you up if you’re not following the rules. See guidelines below. 

6. It’s a great place to bring the kids for the day or a few hours

The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is one of the best places in Cairns for families. Whether your kids are babies, toddlers learning to swim or teenagers adept at swimming, you will find plenty of things to keep them entertained. 

“There’s plenty of things to do for the kids at the lagoon.”

In the lagoon, kids can learn to swim in the shallow sections of the pool or swim in the deeper sections elsewhere. There are water fountains for the littles at the southern end of the lagoon and overhead sprinklers for older kids at the northern end. 

When your kids need a break from the water activities, they can head over the beach and play in the sand. Making sand castles and digging in the sand are always fun activities here. 

There is also a cafe next to the change rooms should your kids need some refuelling. Ice-creams are a popular option here. 

As you can see, there are numerous family friendly activities at the lagoon. So you can choose to spend anywhere from an hour or two to the entire day here. It doesn’t matter how long you spend here, you and your kids are bound to have a great time. 

7. It’s a great place to catch up with friends, family or meet other travellers

The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is a social hub. It’s a great place to catch up with family, friends or even make new friends if you’re visiting by yourself. Social gatherings are the norm rather than the exception here. 

“have a picnic or bbq with family AND friends.”

Whether it’s summer or winter in Cairns, the lagoon is a great place to share a meal. People bring picnics to share with family or friends or they use the barbecues on site to cook their lunch or dinner. You can bring a picnic mat and sit on the lawn or you can use the picnic tables nearby. Either way, you’re bound to have a good time with others at the lagoon. 

8. There’s plenty of shade under the trees (if it’s too hot)

It can get pretty hot in Cairns during the summer months. This is when you’ll want some shade even when you’re at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. 

Luckily for us, the developers knew what they were doing and built the lagoon next to some shady palm trees. On the south side of the lagoon there’s a really nice setup where you’ll find a big grassy patch surrounded by palm trees. 

Bring a beach towel or picnic rug and find a spot on the grass to relax in the shade of the trees. Nearby, you’ll also find picnic tables and seats and barbecue facilities making it the perfect spot to camp. 

9. Cool down in the lagoon during the hot summer months

When the temperature goes up during the hot summer months (between November and March), people flock to the lagoon for a refreshing dip and to cool down from the heat and humidity. 

In summer, the water in the lagoon has been warmed up by the hot summer sun. So it’s a pleasant temperature making it ideal to jump into for a refreshing swim or just to cool down.  

“the lagoon can get crowded during the hot summer months.”

The lagoon is big enough that it doesn’t feel too crowded even during the busy summer months. 

However if you’re not a fan of crowds, avoid visiting during the busy summer months as it can get quite crowded especially during the second half of the day. Head down in the morning for a nice, relaxing swim without the crowds. 

10. Read a book on the grassy lawn 

If you’re headed to the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon by yourself, why not take a book with you to read as you relax on the grass by the lagoon. 

If you pitch your towel or picnic rug under the shade of the trees, it’s a perfect spot to relax and enjoy reading a good story. 

The atmosphere at the lagoon is lovely and not too noisy to disturb you from enjoying a good read.  

11. Put a towel down and get a tan (don’t forget that sunscreen!)

Many visitors head to Cairns for the sun and the perfect place to enjoy the sun is at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. 

One of the best things to do here is to put down a beach towel, preferably on the grassy section, and let the sun work its magic on your skin. Enjoy a nap as you warm up in the sun. Or you can read a book or even listen to some music with your earphones on. 

Of course, it’s always wise to slap on some sunscreen as the UV rays are damaging to the skin even in winter. 

12. People watch while lounging in the lagoon 

A great pastime of mine is people watching, especially at a hotspot like the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. 

If you look around, you will see a myriad of people from all different walks of life from all over the world. 

“underwater seats make a great spot for lounging in the lagoon.”

My favourite spot is at the eastern end of the lagoon. Here you will find a seated area in the lagoon where you can sit on a ledge submerged in the water. 

This spot is right next to the walking track overlooking the mudflats and the ocean. From here, you get a good vantage point in both directions, especially overlooking the entire length of the lagoon. 

It’s a great way to spend an afternoon enjoying the sun while relaxing in the water. 

13. Participate in free Active Living Fitness classes – Aqua Zumba

There are several activities that are run at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and nearby. The most popular of these is the free Aqua Zumba classes that are held every Wednesday at 5:30 pm and every Saturday at 9 am. These classes are run by Cairns Regional Council and take place in the lagoon. Each session lasts for about 30 minutes. These classes may not run on Public Holidays so please check ahead. 

“fitness classes are a popular activity at the lagoon.”

In addition, there are also free Sahaja Yoga Meditation classes on Saturday at 7:30 am. These are held near the lagoon at the Cairns Esplanade Eastern Events lawn. 

14. Cook yourself a BBQ lunch or dinner

If you’re at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, why not make a day of it and bring a barbecue lunch or dinner to cook on the free barbecues available near the lagoon. You can even host a party or function for family members and friends here. 

There are several barbecue spots located around the lagoon, each bearing a unique name. So if you’re inviting friends or family members to your function, you can let them know which barbecue station you’ll be at. 

Barbecues are free to use and don’t require a gold coin to operate. You will need to press and hold down the button till the red light comes on. The barbecues function for 30 minutes at a time. So if you still need to use them after the designated time, you will need to restart them when the time is up. 

15. Have a hot or cold shower when you’re ready to leave

There are change rooms located next to the lagoon complete with hot and cold showers, paid lockers and toilets. There are also cold showers outside in front of the change rooms if you just want to have a quick rinse off. 

It’s a great way to finish off your visit to the lagoon as you get ready to move on to your next activity in Cairns.  

Interesting Facts about the Lagoon

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• The Esplanade Lagoon was officially opened on 29 March 2003 by former State Premier Peter Beattie and former Cairns Mayor Kevin Byrne
• Landscape architects, Tract Consultants, designed Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
• The saltwater swimming lagoon is 4,800 square kilometres 
• The Lagoon has both shallow and deep sections – up to 2 metres deep
• The water used to fill the Lagoon comes from the Trinity Inlet and is filtered through a sophisticated filtration system before being pumped into the facility
• The Lagoon received a redevelopment in August 2022 when it was closed for a few weeks

Artwork at the Lagoon

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Art at the northern end of the Lagoon is the signature art of the Woven Fish, designed by Brian Robinson. There are five 2.5-high and 1.5-wide stainless steel woven fish reflecting the Torres Strait’s traditional practice of weaving palm leaves into the shape of a fish.

At the southern end of the Lagoon is The Herd artwork. It mimics a herd moving towards the ocean. The design, meticulously carved from granite, is reminiscent of the mud flats along the Esplanade during mid to low tide. This art is by Hew Chee Fong and Loretta Noonan.

Facilities Available 

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• Lifeguards on duty 
• Change rooms
• Coin-operated lockers
• Showers
• Toilets
• Parents room
• BBQs
• Picnic area
• Drinking water fountains
• Cafe on premise – Aqua Lagoon Cairns
• Public telephone
• Wheelchair accessible
• Carpark and coach parking

Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Rules

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For everyone’s protection and enjoyment, there are a few guidelines to follow when using the Lagoon.

• No eating or drinking in the Lagoon, and there is no alcohol within the park                                
• No diving or jumping allowed
• No running allowed                                                     
• Adults need to supervise their children                                                     
• No inflatables are permitted in the Lagoon (they block the view of the lifeguards)     
• Smoking is not permitted                                                                                           
• No glass
• Dogs are not permitted in the Lagoon

Opening Hours

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One of the best things about visiting Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the opening hours. You can pretty much come here anytime of the day and it will be open. 

The lagoon is open from 6am to 9pm daily except for Wednesday when it’s closed till 12pm for cleaning and maintenance. 

Best Time to Visit 

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Cairns Esplanade Lagoon can be visited anytime of the day or year. However, it gets really busy during the hot summer months (November to March) when the weather is hot and humid and the water is lovely and warm. The atmosphere is the best during this time as there is a lot of activity and buzz all around. Expect the lagoon to be packed and many people in the water. 

During the winter months (June to August), it can be a bit cold to get into the lagoon. The water is cool and the sea breeze can make it feel cold too. However, people who are used to living in cold climates will find the lagoon perfectly fine for a dip or swim. On the plus side, it’s not as busy as it gets during the summer months. So if you don’t like the crowds then the winter months might be more suitable for you.   

Address

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52/54 Esplanade
Cairns City 
Queensland 4870
Australia

How to Get Here

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Walking – 

If you’re staying nearby at one of the hotels along the Esplanade, the best way to get to the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is to walk there. 

It’s a short stroll past the shops and restaurants or a lovely walk along the walking track on the Esplanade itself. 

Cycling – 

Cycling is a great way to get to the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. There’s a dedicated bike track along the Esplanade all the way to the lagoon. You will find a bike rack for locking your bike under the big fig tree north of the lagoon. 

Cycling is a great way to explore the Esplanade and you get a good workout as well. Plus it’s free and you don’t need to search for a car park or walk very far.  

By Car – 

If you’re driving, the best place to find a paid car park is the one located south of the lagoon near Pier Point Road. 

If you’re after a free car park, head over to Alpin Street where you can find free car spaces in the middle of the street during the week and Saturdays until 2pm or anywhere outside these times. 

By Bus – 

Not as ideal as some of the other options above, but if you have no other mode of transport you can always take the bus to the lagoon. 

Enter Cairns Esplanade Lagoon into Google Maps to see the best public transport option for your location.   

Parking Available

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Parking at the Lagoon is at the Southern Esplanade Carpark. Entry is from Pier Point Road and is located behind the change rooms. 

Charges are $1.80 an hour from 6 am to 10 pm, seven days a week and free after 10 pm and on Public Holidays.

Upcoming Events

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For all upcoming events at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, visit Cairns Regional Council. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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How much does it cost to go to the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon?

The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is free of charge. The space is run by the Cairns Regional Council and is free for everyone to use. 

Can you drink alcohol at Cairns Esplanade Lagoon?

No. Drinking is strictly prohibited at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and elsewhere on the Esplanade. This is one of the rules to be followed when visiting the lagoon. Lifeguards patrol the area and they will ask you to leave if they find anyone drinking. 

How deep is Cairns Esplanade Lagoon?

The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon has different water depths that gradually increase to a maximum depth of 2 metres. There are shallow sections perfect for little kids learning to swim and deeper sections where you can swim a lap if you choose. 

How big is Cairns Esplanade Lagoon?

The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is 4,800 square kilometres in size. It’s probably about 100 metres in length and 48 metres across. 

Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Photos

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See my collection of Cairns Esplanade Lagoon photos.

In Conclusion 

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I hope you’ve enjoyed reading all about the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. It certainly is a fantastic place to spend a few hours or even a whole day as there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Best of all, it’s free so you can spend as little time or as long as you like here. 

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 in Cairns. 

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