Cairns General Information
As with travelling to any destination there are some basics which you may find helpful. Some of these are for your own personal information and others are for peace of mind.
Banking Hours
Normal banking hours are Monday - Thursday 9:30am-4:00pm and Fridays 9:30-5:00pm, excluding public holidays. 24 Hour Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) can be found throughout the City and Shopping Centres.
There are four major banks in Australia which offer a full range of banking services including currency conversions and sales of travellers cheques.
Major Australian Banks
Australian Currency
Australian currency is comprised of notes and coins and are of decimal currency. Australian notes are made from durable plastic and the coins metallic. In view of the currency, you may occasionally see prices such as $2.98, this figure is rounded up to the nearest five cents, in this case $3.00. Money exchanges can be found all around the city and most major tourist destinations. Banks also offering money exchanging services and cashing of travellers cheques. Throughout Cairns you will find numerous Currency Exchange desks, most accommodation properties also have exchange Rates at reception, however, some hotels have a limit to what you can exchange. All the major banks also offer money exchange services and cashing of travellers cheques. Your passport will be needed for indentification purposes when cashing travellers cheques. |
Australian money |
see Getting around in Cairns
Swimming
Swimming is generally safe in most places. A few things to remember are:
- When swimming at a beach, always swim in the enclosed patrolled area. This area is to protect swimmers from Jellyfish (or commonly known as stingers).
- When swimming in creeks, rivers and streams be cautious of branches and logs beneath the waters surface. Look out for crocodile warning signs.
- When swimming at waterfalls, stay away from the base of the falls as there is a strong undercurrent.
- It is a good idea to wear a water resistant sun cream, as the sun can be very harsh on fairer skins.
Cairns Weather
The "wet season" in Cairns is from about November to April. During this time you can expect torrential rains for several hours and relatively high humidity.
This time is also the "low season" for Cairns and it is a great opportunity to take advantage of the great discounts offered by accommodation houses and tour operators.
| Month | Max Temp (°C) |
Max Temp (°F) |
Min Temp (°C) |
Min Temp (°F) |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
January |
32 | 90 | 24 | 75 |
|
February |
32 | 88 | 23 | 73 |
|
March |
30 | 86 | 22 | 72 |
|
April |
29 | 84 | 21 | 70 |
|
May |
29 | 84 | 19 | 66 |
|
June |
27 | 79 | 17 | 63 |
|
July |
25 | 77 | 16 | 61 |
|
August |
26 | 79 | 17 | 61 |
|
September |
28 | 82 | 17 | 63 |
|
October |
29 | 84 | 20 | 68 |
|
November |
31 | 88 | 21 | 70 |
|
December |
32 | 90 | 23 | 73 |
For the latest forecast on the Cairns Weather
Cairns Medical Services
A 24 hour medical service is available to all the major hotels and there is also a 24 hour medical surgery at the Corner of Florence and Grafton Street, beneath the Cairns Day Surgery building. It is advisable that all visitors have adequate Health Insurance.
Chemists and Pharmacies are usually open to 9pm at night and they are located in the City Place and along Abbott Street.
Cairns Postal Service
Post Offices are open from 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday through to Friday. For more information regarding the Australian Postal Service visit Australia Post . From here you can calculate how much it would cost to send parcels or letters back home and the estimated time it would take. |
Australian Postal Service |
Using Electrical Appliances in Australia
Australia uses 240V mains electricity and use three point power sockets. Universal adapters are available from most gift stores and electrical shops around the city.
Things you cannot bring into Australia
Australia has very strict importation laws and like most countries we place great emphasis on protecting our native fauna and flora from infectious diseases and other hazardous substances. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) provides quarantine inspection services for the arrival of international passengers, cargo, mail, animals and plants or their products into Australia, and inspection and certification for a range of animal and plant products exported from Australia. For more information regarding specifically what you are able to bring into Australia visit the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website.
Cairns Information & Cairns Brochures
Brochures
For more information regarding tours and places to visit, please take a brochure from the Morgan Freeman Promotions board. These are located in the reception of your hotel or motel. There are over 250 outlets all around Cairns and regions including:
|
Morgan Freeman Information Boards |
Information Touch Screens
Information touch screens are located at the Cairns Airport, Cairns Esplanade and throughout several locations and offer visitors direct access to a plethora of information ranging from accommodation, dining, what to do and what to see whilst in Cairns.
Cairns Local Newspaper - The Cairns Post
The Cairns Post is the main local newspaper for Cairns and more information can be found on the The Cairns Post page.
