What streets to avoid in Downtown Cairns?
 

Hi there. Any streets my wife and I should avoid walking in downtown Cairns when we go there? I went there 23 years ago and it was fine but I heard it's changed a little since then. Thanks.

Re: What streets to avoid in Downtown Cairns?
 

I was there a few months ago for a conference. I was alone and to be honest I didn't go out after dark. There was a report of 2 female tourists being attacked while I was there.

During the day its OK. You do see some dodgy types but I felt fairly safe.

In a couple, at night I would say you are probably OK in the main areas, but get a taxi back to where you are staying, if it's not very central.

Re: What streets to avoid in Downtown Cairns?
 

Thanks for the reply RenShen! Heard a few stories about women getting attacked in Cairns which seems so unusual for a city with only 150,000 population but I guess it is a sign of the times. I read a story about some tourist who went to the city pier around 10pm and were spooked as well.

Re: What streets to avoid in Downtown Cairns?
 

Yes, but don't let that put you off going, its a nice little place but very tiny. I wouldn't advise more than 2 or 3 nights tops. Its a good base to explore from.

On my last trip I came across the Tanks Arts Centre. This is in old tanks that were used for oil storage during the war. I didn't get to see a concert there but would check it out if I were to visit again.

Re: What streets to avoid in Downtown Cairns?
 

I've had a couple of nights in Cairns on business over the last couple of years - and it seems a fine place to me...

Daytime hanging around the 'lagoon' provides plenty of scenery (in backpacker season) - and at night theres plenty going on with live music, drining and a permanent 'holiday party' atmosphere.

I never felt in the least bit worried staggering around Cairns CBD at perculiar times of the day and night. :D

Re: What streets to avoid in Downtown Cairns?
 

We sort of like tiny in a way :D Sounds like a fun place and we will be moving there soon to give it a go rain or shine lol. Thanks.


I remember loving it back when I visited it so many years ago. Never had the lagoon back then though and it looks like fun.

Re: What streets to avoid in Downtown Cairns?
 

Ive been there recently and felt completely safe at night, there was a bar/reasturant on the outside of town that started looking dodgy as it got late where they were making comments to my wife when I was at the bar but you get that every where I suppose, nice place overall.

Re: What streets to avoid in Downtown Cairns?
 

I live in Cairns. It is lovely, but certainly has some troubles now. To be honest the CBD at night has a rough reputation and the police are trying hard to crack down on it. The demographic has changed rapidly with plenty of people coming in from the outer cape and communities. There are some inner city suburbs that are like ghettos now. Some streets the bus companies have stopped servicing at night as they were being attacked.

I don't know where you are staying but I'd be cautious walking around at night anywhere west of Sheridan St after late evening. Along the Esplanada and around the Casino / Pier area is fine.

Re: What streets to avoid in Downtown Cairns?
 

Actually - come to think of it when I worked for the owners of a well known chicken based fast food company (and all ou can eat salad bar steak house chain) we did have regular problems with he restaurants in Earlville.

Apparently the park just behind the restaurants had become a bit of a centre for the 'vagrant' population, and there were frequent smashed windows, attempted thefts and damages to cars in the car park. Police were on regular patrols to try and keep it under control, but it was a constant problem.

So perhaps late night wanderings around Earliville might be best avoided?

Re: What streets to avoid in Downtown Cairns?
 

But no attempts at stealing the finger lickin' chicken?