The Pier Marketplace

The Pier Marketplace is a wonderful place to shop or just stroll and take in the atmosphere.  Numerous stalls offer souvenirs, food, fashion and anything else you can imagine.   Here you will also find Undersea World, where you can enjoy all the creatures of the Great Barrier Reef without getting your feet wet.  The art gallery on the lower level has some superb paintings and prints of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.  All these can be safely packed for overseas transport.

Upstairs on the second level you will find restaurants and eateries offering a choice of Italian, Chinese, Seafood  cuisines whilst overlooking beautiful Trinity Inlet. 

The Pier Marketplace also offers free undercover parking to shoppers and is open seven days a week.

Orchid Plaza

Orchid Plaza provides a range retail stores and eateries.  Fashion, Jewellery, Gifts & Souvenirs all can be found here.  The Post Office is also located upstairs and is very convenient for visitors to send home letters and postcards. Also the home of the very popular and unique restuarant "Sushi Express". 

Cairns Central Shopping Centre

Situated just passed Shields Street, this is another new addition to Cairns.  Hundreds of speciality stores offers locals and visitors a large selection of goods and services.  Souvenirs and gift shops can be found throughout the complex.   Live Entertainment can sometimes be found, especially during the school vacation periods.   National and International brands can be found at Myers, the national chain of department stores. 

A cinema complex is next to the food court on the upstairs level if you want to catch a quick movie.  The food court offers a wide selection of meals from Kebabs, Chinese, Japanese, Crepes and of course McDonalds. The design of the food court is very interesting with trees and ponds throughout to highlight the tropical climate in which we are in.

There is plenty of undercover and off street parking.

Cairns Business District "City Heart"

The Heart of Cairns has a lot to offer locals and visitors, duty free shops, Opal & Jewellery Stores, Supermarkets and many, many more retail outlets offering fashion and great gift ideas.  Most of the Duty Free stores can be found on Abbott Street, if your looking for souvenirs and gifts try along Lake Street, you will find beautifully handcrafted artifacts such as didgeridoo's and boomerangs.

Across the road you will find plenty of shops selling T-shirts, these make great inexpensive gifts.

If you are looking for something special, then try some of the Jewellers and see the splendid colours of their Opals.  Everything from earrings and necklaces to rings are available.  The Opals, by themselves are also available for sale these are ideal if you have unique in mind or just to keep as a special gift.

Amidst all this shopping you will also find many eateries and coffee shops offering shoppers that refreshing cool drink or the long awaited coffee.  The eateries all along Lake Street are reasonably priced and offer outdoor dining to ensure you don't miss all the activity and you can plan where you next.

Woolworths, the national supermarket chain is also found along Lake Street.   All the items you would expect from a  supermarket can be found, including fresh fruit and vegetables.  Ideal if you are staying longer or in  self contained accommodation.  Basic items such as hats and sunscreens can be purchased at relatively cheap prices.