Days 404-406: November 8-10, 2025 – Cairns, Queensland, Australia
What a lovely city Cairns is. I’ve been to lots of places that were in the “would love to return here for a visit” category. But this is the first one where I thought: “I could live here.” Everything about this city felt right to me. A gorgeous, spotless esplanade boardwalk runs for miles along the Coral Sea, with inviting restaurants, boutiques and artwork. The city is flat and walkable, with inexpensive public transportation available.
In the middle of the city center is a ginormous public pool, the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, that looks like it could fit 1,000 people and not feel crowded. It uses saltwater from the Coral Sea, but provides a swimming space that is safe from the crocodiles and stingers that inhabit the sea.
Entertainment and dance classes provided for swimmers. Hats in the pool seem to be an odd de rigueur in this town!
Not far from the city are numerous nature options — botanical gardens, wetlands, forests, lakes. And for divers and snorkelers, the Great Barrier Reef is nearby.
Cairns gets bonus points for the 20 lifers I picked up here (birds I had not seen before), without ever having to leave the city!
We are heading to Papua New Guinea tonight but will be back to explore the rest of Australia in February.
15 responses to “I Could Live Here”
I can totally picture you moving there after your worldwide exploring. It sounds perfect for you!!
It’s a possibility for my future, you never know!
Did you go to the city zoo? It was fabulous. The birds fly right up to you as they are not afraid….guessing they want food. A kangaroo did the same thing and I felt awful as I had nothing to give him and he was so cute, just 6 feet away.
Hey Paul! Happy to see you on here. When are you coming aboard? No I didn’t go to the zoo. We’ll be back in Cairns in February, maybe I can check it out then.
Yup. And, you can almost understand the locals!
Yes, that’s definitely a benefit!
Some unique bird finds, for sure. The pool is a great concept, using the sea water and setting, yet staying safe from the sea’s bounty!
I love the concept. Especially since I almost never go in the water at beaches.
Sweet
I’ve been wanting to get back to Australia to see Perth, because we’ve only done Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania. I think you’ve just re-ordered my priorities! Cairns sound great.
I highly recommend it. I’ve been to Sydney, although very briefly for work, so I don’t remember much about it. We’ll be in Melbourne and Tasmania in a few months, curious to see how it compares.
sounds great Basia. How do you remember which birds you have on your list and which you don’t. What number are you up to and how many left to find? I’ve only been to New South Wales – twice. but I’m just an airhead and can’t remember much except that we drove by crocodile dundee, the actor’s estate.
It’s all done online! eBird is a marvelous thing, it keeps track of all my bird sightings and shows my life list. I’m at #1,428 right now on my life list. That’s just 8,600 more birds to go!
What a great city!
It does look very inviting and comfortable.