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Wheelchair friendly Accommodation in Cairns – this is part of Cairns Regional Council's services. Most accommodation venues provide a free downloadable PDF document outlining the details of their rooms, facilities and other relevant information including photographs of the accessible facilities.
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Cairns should be on every wheelchair user's bucket list. Here are ten "wheelie good" reasons why - and they are all in the heart of Cairns:
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1. Stroll along the Cairns Esplanade - take in the scenery, watch the many birds that visit or live on the Esplanade, visit the Markets, go for a swim, have a picnic or relax and enjoy the entertainment provided on weekends.
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2. See the region’s native animals at Cairns Wildlife Dome on top of the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino in Wharf Street.
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3. Visit Cairns' own brewery with heaps of entertainment.
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4. Be amazed at the artistic talent of North Queenslanders. Visit the Cairns Regional Art Gallery corner Abbott and Shields Streets, not far from the Esplanade.
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5. Learn about the Reef and all its wonders on dry land at Reef Teach, located at 85 Lake Street. It’s upstairs, but there is a lift.
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6. Don't miss Rusty's Market – open Fri, Sat, Sun mornings – for a plethora of colour, sounds, smells and flavours, located next to Gilligan's Backpackers between Grafton Street and Sheridan Streets.
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7. The Centre of Contemporary Arts in Cairns (CoCA) can be found on the corner of Abbott and Florence Streets. Even if you don't like contemporary art, you'll love the giant Jelly Babies at the front of this building.
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8. Explore the Outer Great Barrier Reef with Reef Magic which departs from the Reef Fleet Terminal at the end of Spence Street.
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9. Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway train to Kuranda for a great day out (note: you'll need someone strong to help push you up the hills in Kuranda).
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10. Cairns Central is the main shopping centre and boasts 180 stores including Myer, Target, Coles, BI-LO and a Birch, Carroll and Coyle movie theatre complex
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Going outside the Cairns CBD, we suggest the following itinerary options:
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Day 1
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10am: Immerse yourself in the local rainforest Aboriginal culture at Tjapukai located 13km from Cairns CBD. Allow at least 3 hours for this experience. Note: toilets not to Standard – assistance may be required.
Lunch at Smithfield Shopping Centre
After lunch: explore Cairns' Northern Beaches – Trinity Beach and Palm Cove both have lifeguard services and a wheelchair friendly foreshore and toilet block.
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Day 2
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Visit Cairns Botanical Gardens but be sure to ask for a wheelchair access map from their visitor centre before you explore the gardens as not every path is wheelchair accessible.
Lunch either at the Gardens, or find an al fresco eatery nearby along Collins Street.
After lunch drop in to the Royal Flying Doctor Service museum in Edge Hill. NB no wheelchair accessible toilet there, but worth a look.
Before heading back to your accommodation, why not check out the latest art exhibitions at the Tanks Arts Centre. You can check out Facebook for the latest musical attractions there.
From May to November, once a month, enjoy an open air movie show at the Botanic Gardens in the evening. Make sure you bring some insect repellent with you and bring a picnic or some snacks. Check the calendar published on the Endcredits website.
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Day 3
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Spend the morning exploring Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, located 38 km north of Cairns CBD along the Captain Cook Highway. It's an excellent venue for viewing crocodiles and other native wildlife. After lunch, continue along Capt Cook Highway to Port Douglas and enjoy the antics of the many birds on display at the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Day 4
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Kuranda Village
Self-drive to Kuranda – 30km from the city centre or catch the Kuranda Scenic Railway. (please ensure they know you're a wheelchair user as ramps need to be organised at either end of the journey), or take Skyrail at the Caravonica Terminal. Another option is to take the train up, and Skyrail down to take in the views over Cairns on the way back. NOTE that Kuranda is very hilly, and a wheelchair user will have trouble getting around without help. Kuranda does have a wheelchair accessible taxi Ph (07) 4093 7119.There are a number of wheelchair accessible tourist attractions in Kuranda:
Birdworld Kuranda
Kuranda Koala Gardens
Australian Venom Zoo
Kuranda also has a range of alfresco dining options.
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