Known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns has a reputation for being one of the world’s best outdoor adventure destinations, where the rainforest literally meets the sea. But dig a little deeper, and the cultural side of this laid-back city in Tropical North Queensland is well worth considering for your itinerary. Uncover galleries, museums, live performances, and immersive experiences that are as educational as they are unexpected. Here's where to get your fix of culture, arts, and history the next time you’re in Cairns.

Explore world-class art & create some of your own

One of Australia's leading public galleries, Cairns Art Gallery might just be the city's best-kept secret. It’s often celebrated for its collections and programs rooted in the unique culture and heritage of Tropical North Queensland. Spanning three buildings; the Public Curators Building, Mulgrave Building and Court House Building, the gallery features a range of regional, national and international art exhibitions, with a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art from Far North Queensland. Plus, it’s free to enter, air-conditioned, and has a great café next door, Perrotta’s.

People entering Tank 4 at Tanks Arts Centre in Cairns. — *Credit: Tanks Arts Centre*

2. Discover unconventional art in repurposed OIL TANKS

It’s not everyday you come across a multi-purpose arts venue built inside converted WWII naval oil storage tanks, set within a lush rainforest. Located inside the Cairns Botanic Gardens, Tanks Arts Centre is a one-of-a-kind live music venue and home to Tank 4 Gallery, which is anything but your conventional white-walled art space. Open most days (outside of exhibition turnovers), it hosts a rotating mix of local and touring exhibitions, artist residencies, and studio activity. You'll also find art workshops on offer, plus the popular Tanks Markets on the last Sunday of every month, celebrating local makers, and entertainment.

Exterior signage of Japanese Art Museum, Samurai Gallery Australia in Cairns. — *Credit: Samurai Gallery Australia*

3. Step into the world of the samurai

One of the more unexpected galleries you’ll find here is Australia’s only gallery dedicated to the arts, armour, and weaponry of the Japanese Samurai Warrior - the Cairns Samurai Museum. Owner John Grasso has devoted years to collecting and expanding the private collection, opening the gallery to share these special items with the public. Inside the gallery, you’ll find everything from swords like Katana, Wakizashi, and Tanto, to armour, and even Japanese artwork.

Visitors enjoying a clownfish installation hanging overhead inside Cairns Museum. — *Credit: Cairns Museum*

4. Get hands on with history

To learn more about Cairns' history, past and present (and escape the heat), head to the Cairns Museum. Operated by the Cairns Historical Society, it's packed with photographs, objects, and personal stories showcasing life in the tropics, from cane to railways, rainforests, and reefs. Unlike many museums, this one is a hit with kids. Hands-on activities, discovery trails, and playful exhibits make learning fun for all ages, with visitors actively encouraged to interact with the displays.

5. Catch a show (or two)

Did you know Cairns is home to the largest arts centre in Queensland, outside of Brisbane? Opened in 2018, the Cairns Performing Arts Centre has quickly become the go-to venue for live performance, from ballet and opera to musicals, comedy, children's shows, and headline Australian acts. Check what's on during your visit and make a night of it. While you're there, take a moment to explore the collection of public artworks by significant Indigenous Queensland artists displayed in and around the centre, a fitting addition to Cairns' growing reputation as the state's capital of Indigenous art.

*Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts. CIAF 2025 Art Fair Showcase Booth. Photograph Credit: Blueclick Photography.*

6. Celebrate Queensland’s First Nations artists

If you're visiting Cairns during July, you're in for a treat. Australia’s premier First Nations-led art fair and cultural celebration Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is held annually here, and attracts over 30,000 visitors each year. More than a typical art fair, it's a celebration of cultural exchange, truth-telling, and expression across visual art, performance, music, fashion, and storytelling. It's the perfect place to engage with First Nations artists and take home a unique piece. Across 2024 and 2025, the fair generated more than $15 million in economic impact for Queensland, and created opportunities for thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. Safe to say, it's a pretty big deal and definitely worth experiencing.

Cairns Chinese Friendship Garden red Pavilion standing atop the water with a sunset and lush gardens in the background. — *Credit: Ashton Southall*

7. Visit a LITTLE piece of China IN CAIRNS

Here's an unexpected cultural gem. Cairns and Zhanjiang, located in China's Guangdong Province, officially became Sister Cities in August 2004, linked by their shared tropical climate, seaside settings, tourism industries, and substantial sugar trade. To celebrate this friendship, the Cairns Chinese Friendship Garden (also known as the Zhanjiang Friendship Garden) was created. Located within the Cairns Botanic Gardens and free to visit, the garden features plants of both Chinese and Australian origin, with a particular focus on the colour red. Chinese architecture and sensory gardens round out the experience, with beautiful sights to enjoy for all ages. It also makes for a great pit stop on the way to Tanks Arts Centre and the broader Botanic Gardens.

Group of tour participants led by tour guide in standing on the street during a Cairns Urban Walking Tour. — *Credit: Cairns Urban Walking Tours*

8. Uncover the hidden stories & history ON FOOT

Walking tours have a way of revealing the layers of a destination, the history, the hidden spots, the stories you'd never stumble on alone. That’s where Peter Schleifer, owner and guide behind Cairns Urban Walking Tours comes in. Whether you’re looking to dive deeper into Cairn’s rich history, discover local street art, or eat your way through Rusty’s Market, Cairns Urban Walking Tours offers three unique experiences to pick from. The 1.5 hour tours are easy to slot into any itinerary.

WHAT’S NEARBY

Discover art and culture in Cairns just minutes away from our conveniently located hotel on Cairns Esplanade.

Cairns Performing Arts Centre (1.7km) - 5 minute drive
Cairns Night Markets (2km) - 5 minute drive
Cairns Museum (2km) - 5 minute drive
Cairns Art Gallery (2km) - 6 minute drive
Samurai Gallery Australia (2.1km) - 6 minute drive
Rusty’s Markets (2.2km) - 6 minute drive
Cairns Central (2.3km) - 6 minute drive
Tanks Arts Centre (2.3km) - 6 minute drive
Cairns Chinese Friendship Garden (2.3km) - 6 minute
Cairns Convention Centre (2.7km) - 7 minute drive

150 Years OF CAIRNS

In 2026, Cairns celebrates a very special milestone of 150 years since being founded in 1876. From a small port serving goldfields, to a world-renowned and much-loved tropical destination, Cairns has so many fascinating stories to tell and historical moments to behold.

Our hotel has been a iconic landmark since the 1980s, later expanding across two towers in 1993 to maximise the expansive views of Trinity Bay and tropical gardens. Today, our beloved waterfront hotel stands tall on the Esplanade - the gateway to all the exciting events in the CBD and the best place to stay with Cairns' best attractions just a minutes away.