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Cairns, Australia 🇦🇺
#90 ,

Nomad Score: 64%

Essentials

🏙️ City Cairns is a vibrant city located in Far North Queensland, Australia, known for its tropical climate and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef.
👥 Population Approximately 150,000 residents.
💻 Internet Speed Average internet speed is around 50 Mbps, with many cafes and coworking spaces offering free Wi-Fi.
💸 Currency & Banking Currency is Australian Dollar (AUD) with current exchange rate approx. 1 AUD = 0.67 USD.
🚰 Tap Water Drinkable and safe.
🔌 Power 230V, 50Hz, with Type I plugs.
📶 SIM Card Major providers include Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone, with prepaid cards available from various convenience stores.
💳 Banking for Expats Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, and online options like Revolut are commonly used.
🛌 Accommodation Options include Airbnb, hostels, and serviced apartments recommended for digital nomads.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, cards are widely accepted, and mobile payment options like Apple Pay are available.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and Stayz have numerous listings for short-term stays.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Budget options include Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort and Cairns City Backpackers.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists Cairns Esplanade offers stunning views and easy access to tourist attractions.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Cairns CBD for its vibrant atmosphere, accessibility to coworking spaces, and amenities.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Cairns Collective offers a vibrant environment and networking opportunities for remote workers.
Best Cafe for Work Coffee Club on the Esplanade provides a good atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi.
💼 Networking Events Meetups and networking events can be found on platforms like Meetup.com, focusing on tech and entrepreneurship.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Cairns Expat Facebook Group organizes regular meetups and social events.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Uber is widely used, along with local taxi services.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Cairns has several bike rental shops, including Cairns Bike Tours & Rentals.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby The closest beach is Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, located within the city.
✈️ Top Regional Airline QantasLink operates regional flights to and from major cities in Australia.
✈️ Top International Airline Virgin Australia and Qantas provide international services.
🛣️ Highway Access Captain Cook Highway provides access along the coast to nearby regions.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub Cairns Central Station is the main hub for rail services.
🚍 Public Transport Passes TransLink offers various public transport passes for bus and train services.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses and trains connect Cairns to nearby areas including Port Douglas and Kuranda.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Cairns Base Hospital provides comprehensive medical care.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Yoga Cairns offers various classes and wellness programs.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Youfit and Anytime Fitness have multiple locations in Cairns.
🧺 Laundry Services Cairns Laundry offers self-service and drop-off laundry services.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Menulog and UberEats are popular for food deliveries.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Barramundi is a must-try local fish dish.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Cairns Diner and Spice's Kitchen offer superb plant-based menus.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Devine Gelato is a local favorite for tasty treats.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Cairns Night Markets feature various food stalls and affordable shopping options.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Catch.com.au and eBay are widely used in Australia.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Coles and Woolworths offer grocery delivery services through their apps.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Cairns nightlife is vibrant along the Esplanade with many bars and clubs.
🍻 Local Brewery Cairns Brewery offers locally produced beers.
🍷 Wine Bars The Wine Emporium has a great selection of local and international wines.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Cairns Night Markets also provide a variety of street food options.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Cairns hosts a range of international restaurants, including Thai and Italian.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks The Cairns Esplanade and the Cairns Botanic Gardens are essential spots.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues The Cairns Cultural Precinct includes the Cairns Art Gallery.
🏰 Historical Sites The Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome show the history of the area.
🕍 Religious Sites St. Monica's Cathedral is a notable Gothic-style church in Cairns.
🎉 Annual Events The Cairns Festival in August is a major annual celebration.
🎨 Cultural Districts The CBD is rich in culture and local galleries.
🎭 Theater Venues The Tanks Arts Centre offers various performing arts events.
🛍️ Local Markets Cairns Esplanade Markets happen every Sunday.
🎼 Music Scene The local music scene can be enjoyed at venues like The Courty.
🎨 Street Art Cairns has numerous murals along its streets, showcasing local talent.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Tropical Cuisine offers cooking classes focused on local flavors.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries The Two Fish Gallery presents works by local artists.
🕰️ Historic Buildings The Cairns Post Building showcases historical architecture.
🏴 Local Heritage Cairns is known for its Indigenous heritage and celebrates it in local culture.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Kuranda National Park and the Great Barrier Reef offer stunning natural experiences.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Daintree National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and easily accessible from Cairns.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths The Cairns Esplanade Boardwalk provides beautiful paths for walking and cycling.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints The view from the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is breathtaking.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Kuranda and Barron Gorge National Park are popular for birdwatching.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Certain areas of Palm Cove allow bonfires, check local regulations.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service Australia Post and Toll are reliable delivery services.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Cairns Computers offers device repairs and IT services.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots The Cairns Table Tennis Club hosts regular play sessions.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Cairns Language Centre offers classes in various languages.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Cairns City Library provides quiet study areas.
🏘️ Community Centers The Cairns Regional Council Community Centre hosts various activities and events.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Cairns has several gaming shops and cafes offering gaming setups.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Cairns Casino is a popular destination for entertainment and gaming.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. AUD 4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = AUD 180,000)
🏢 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 4,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AUD 240,000)
🏠 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 3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AUD 280,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. AUD 2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AUD 224,000)
💼 Corporate Tax 30% standard corporate tax rate.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax 30% on dividends.
🏦 Tax System Tax is based on worldwide income for residents.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket 45% for the highest earners.
🧾 VAT Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 10%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, strict rules apply for tax purposes.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property taxes are according to property value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Stamp duty ranges from 1.5% to 5%, depending on the purchase price.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Residents can enjoy tax benefits like low tax rates on foreign income under certain conditions.

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