Cairns, Australia 🇦🇺
Nomad Score:
70%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Cairns is a city located on the east coast of Australia, known for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and tropical surroundings. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 150,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is around 80 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 AUD ≈ 0.66 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common banks include Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, and ANZ, with options for online banking services like PayPal and TransferWise. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from hotels to shared houses on platforms like Airbnb and realestate.com.au. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted, and many places offer contactless payment options. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through Airbnb and Stayz, with prices starting at around AUD 70 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like YHA Cairns offer budget options starting at around AUD 30 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Cairns Creative Precinct offers modern facilities with flexible co-working options. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Bean Street Cafe provides a relaxed atmosphere with good coffee and free Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com often hosts events in Cairns, especially for tech and entrepreneurial communities. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Cairns Expats Facebook Group hosts regular meetups and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is widely used in Cairns for convenient on-demand transportation. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bike rental options include Cairns Bike Hire and Cairns Bike Tours. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Palm Cove Beach is a popular spot, approximately 30 minutes from Cairns. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | QantasLink operates several regional flights from Cairns. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia offer international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | The Bruce Highway connects Cairns to other major cities along the coast. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Cairns Central Station is the main transit hub for rail services. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Sunbus offers daily and weekly passes for public transportation. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and tours are available to nearby destinations such as Port Douglas and the Atherton Tablelands. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Cairns Hospital is the primary facility providing comprehensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Cairns Yoga and Wellness Studio offers a variety of classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Anytime Fitness and Funtopia Cairns are popular for fitness enthusiasts. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromat facilities are available across the city, like Cairns Laundry. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Menulog and UberEats are popular options for food delivery in Cairns. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the local seafood BBQ, especially barramundi and prawns. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Wild Heart offers a variety of plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Dulche de Leche serves amazing desserts and coffee. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Cairns Night Markets offer affordable local food and craft shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Sites like Ozsale and Catch.com.au provide online shopping options. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Coles and Woolworths offer grocery delivery in Cairns. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Esplanade is the main nightlife area with numerous bars and pubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cairns Brewing Co. offers locally brewed beers and tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | St. Crispin's Wine Bar features an excellent selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Cairns Night Markets also feature various street food stalls. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Tamarind offer upscale Asian cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Cairns Esplanade and the Great Barrier Reef are major attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Cairns Art Gallery showcases local art and exhibitions. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Cairns Historical Society Museum offers insights into the area's history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Monica’s Cathedral is a notable religious site in Cairns. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Cairns Festival occurs each August and showcases local culture and arts. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Esplanade Cultural Precinct hosts various public art and performances. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Cairns Convention Centre hosts various shows and events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Kuranda Market features local arts, crafts, and food. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music is prevalent at bars along the Esplanade. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Cairns has a growing street art scene in various locations. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | A Taste of the Tropics offers cooking classes focused on local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The KickArts Contemporary Arts Centre showcases contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Cairns Post Building is an example of local historic architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Cairns has a rich indigenous heritage, celebrated at various cultural events. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Daintree Rainforest is a short drive from Cairns, offering lush hiking trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Barron Gorge National Park is accessible for hiking and waterfall viewing. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Cairns Esplanade has numerous walking and cycling paths along the waterfront. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway offers breathtaking views of the rainforest. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Cairns Botanical Gardens is a great spot for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | The beach at Holloways Beach allows bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Australia Post provides reliable parcel delivery services throughout Cairns. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like Cairns IT provide tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Cairns PCYC offers table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Cairns Language School offers various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Cairns City Library is an excellent resource for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Cairns Community Centre hosts various local events and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Arcade cafes like TimeZone Cairns offer gaming options. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Cairns Reef Casino offers gaming and entertainment facilities. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = AUD 160,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = AUD 128,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AUD 228,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AUD 180,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AUD 256,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AUD 200,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 30% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Australia has strict CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, property tax is imposed based on land value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp duty ranges from 1.5% to 5.5% based on property value. |