The gateway city to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is a destination all year round. With temperatures in winter still hitting the high 20's, you could enjoy the sun here at anytime of the year. I'd be hiding inside most of the time so that I could avoid burns on a daily basis if I was here in summer though. If you're looking for a sea side town that you want to wander around and chill in then Cairns is your place. If you also want plenty to do for a week away then Cairns is still the choice to head for!
Most of Cairns central city is within walking distance and easy to get around - the only bus I've had to get whilst here is the bus from the airport. One of the best things about Cairns though is the markets that it has. There are so many to choose from that if you're here at the weekend then you need to put some time aside to make sure you can wander around. There are three main markets in central Cairns - The Night Markets, Rusty's Markets and The Esplanade Market. Each are great for different things so you'll want to make sure you head to each of them.
Night Markets
The Night Markets are found along the long line of restaurants and shops at the Esplanade and are open most of the day everyday. There's a large food court where you can find Vietnamese, Chinese, Ice Cream and Fish and Chips amongst others. The food stalls are mostly open from 10am until 11pm so if you're looking for lunch or dinner then you'll manage to find something here. The shopping generally opens at 5pm and is open until 11pm as well so you have plenty of time to wander in the evening. And if you need a massage then you'll find a whole stretch of the market area dedicated to on the spot massages.
I'll admit that a lot of the stalls that are here are souvenir type stalls, so don't expect anything local and handmade. There are quite a few beauty stalls, souvenirs and some nice jewellery and clothes but as I said not a lot of them are locally handmade products. I bought some soap from one of the stalls that I'm in love. Six bars for $10 and they smell so good that I just want to use them all at once.
If you're looking for some fruit and veg whilst you're up in Cairns then head to Rusty's. Found on Grafton Street just a ten minute walk up from the Esplanade, this is the go to for locals and tourists alike. The market is open Friday and Saturday 5am to 6pm and shuts at 3pm on a Sunday.
There are stalls after stalls of fruit and veg here, some of which I had never seen or head of before. Everything is locally grown and smells amazing. As you wander around a lot of the stalls will have tubs filled with their fruit for you to taste which makes it incredibly hard to resist buying some. For those more adventurous that want to try things you wouldn't normally find at home then there are plenty of options. My brother, being a chef, is one of these exact people and went around searching for new delights. Among these were starfruit, soursop, custard apples and paw paw. After trying these some were delicious and some I'm not sad I've missed out on in my life. If you're here over lunch time then you'll also find a small food court at either ends of the market place which serve a great range of Asian cuisine, samosas, french patisserie, churros and of course coffee (because no country can live without it apparently). There is also a little stall right at the front of the market that sells sugar cane juice. Not only is the fruit and veg here delicious, it's also very cheaply priced which makes this a win win market and a definite must do
whilst in Cairns.
Esplanade Market
Unlike the Night Market, this marketplace has stalls lined up along the Esplanade selling crafts that were made by the people who are selling them. If you are looking for a souvenir that is slightly more unique then the Esplanade Market is for you. Open every Saturday between 8am and 4pm this market is different each week, with the stalls lined up for you to wander against the wonderful backdrop of the coastline. I would say that the Esplanade is the smallest market of the three, however it is still one hundred percent worth the look. From wildlife photography, having tarot cards read, handcrafted jewellery and caricature artists, there is plenty to see as you wander around. And when you're all done at the market, you can head for some ice cream before continuing your wander down the esplanade. A perfect Saturday morning sorted.
No matter what day you're going to be in Cairns, there will be a market open for you to explore. If you're heading further out of the city then there are also more markets to be found in places such as Port Douglas, Kuranda Rainforest, Palm Cove and Mission Beach to name a few. If you're like me and love wandering around then you will not be disappointed with Cairns and it's many chances to wander and explore.
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| Rusty's Marketplace |
Most of Cairns central city is within walking distance and easy to get around - the only bus I've had to get whilst here is the bus from the airport. One of the best things about Cairns though is the markets that it has. There are so many to choose from that if you're here at the weekend then you need to put some time aside to make sure you can wander around. There are three main markets in central Cairns - The Night Markets, Rusty's Markets and The Esplanade Market. Each are great for different things so you'll want to make sure you head to each of them.
Night Markets
The Night Markets are found along the long line of restaurants and shops at the Esplanade and are open most of the day everyday. There's a large food court where you can find Vietnamese, Chinese, Ice Cream and Fish and Chips amongst others. The food stalls are mostly open from 10am until 11pm so if you're looking for lunch or dinner then you'll manage to find something here. The shopping generally opens at 5pm and is open until 11pm as well so you have plenty of time to wander in the evening. And if you need a massage then you'll find a whole stretch of the market area dedicated to on the spot massages.
I'll admit that a lot of the stalls that are here are souvenir type stalls, so don't expect anything local and handmade. There are quite a few beauty stalls, souvenirs and some nice jewellery and clothes but as I said not a lot of them are locally handmade products. I bought some soap from one of the stalls that I'm in love. Six bars for $10 and they smell so good that I just want to use them all at once.
Rusty's Markets
If you're looking for some fruit and veg whilst you're up in Cairns then head to Rusty's. Found on Grafton Street just a ten minute walk up from the Esplanade, this is the go to for locals and tourists alike. The market is open Friday and Saturday 5am to 6pm and shuts at 3pm on a Sunday.
There are stalls after stalls of fruit and veg here, some of which I had never seen or head of before. Everything is locally grown and smells amazing. As you wander around a lot of the stalls will have tubs filled with their fruit for you to taste which makes it incredibly hard to resist buying some. For those more adventurous that want to try things you wouldn't normally find at home then there are plenty of options. My brother, being a chef, is one of these exact people and went around searching for new delights. Among these were starfruit, soursop, custard apples and paw paw. After trying these some were delicious and some I'm not sad I've missed out on in my life. If you're here over lunch time then you'll also find a small food court at either ends of the market place which serve a great range of Asian cuisine, samosas, french patisserie, churros and of course coffee (because no country can live without it apparently). There is also a little stall right at the front of the market that sells sugar cane juice. Not only is the fruit and veg here delicious, it's also very cheaply priced which makes this a win win market and a definite must dowhilst in Cairns.
Esplanade Market
Unlike the Night Market, this marketplace has stalls lined up along the Esplanade selling crafts that were made by the people who are selling them. If you are looking for a souvenir that is slightly more unique then the Esplanade Market is for you. Open every Saturday between 8am and 4pm this market is different each week, with the stalls lined up for you to wander against the wonderful backdrop of the coastline. I would say that the Esplanade is the smallest market of the three, however it is still one hundred percent worth the look. From wildlife photography, having tarot cards read, handcrafted jewellery and caricature artists, there is plenty to see as you wander around. And when you're all done at the market, you can head for some ice cream before continuing your wander down the esplanade. A perfect Saturday morning sorted.
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No matter what day you're going to be in Cairns, there will be a market open for you to explore. If you're heading further out of the city then there are also more markets to be found in places such as Port Douglas, Kuranda Rainforest, Palm Cove and Mission Beach to name a few. If you're like me and love wandering around then you will not be disappointed with Cairns and it's many chances to wander and explore.
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