Cairns
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Pick a Topic of interest from those below and explore this Destination!

Anchorages

  • The first anchorage you will come to is in Trinity Inlet across from Marlin Marina and The Pier shopping complex.  The anchorage is very large, but also can be very crowded during the cruising season.  Holding is good.  You can dinghy over to Marlin Marina, but be very careful coming through the the breakwater entrance as tour boats and fishing boats are constantly coming and going and the breakwater is too high for them to see you coming in.

  • Next anchorage is further upstream opposite the entrance of  Smith Creek.

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Marinas

Marlin Marina This marina is located on the east side or Trinity Inlet and is the first one you will see upon entering the harbor.  It is part of the Pier Shopping complex.

Facilities:

Floating docks Self-service Laundry Yacht Maintenance Yard
Toilets Internet Access Travel Lift
Showers Receive & Hold Mail Chandlery on premises
Power and Water at berth Fuel Dock Pump Out Facility

The marina is reluctant to receive mail, so it is best make other arrangements.

Mailing Address:
Marlin Marina
Marina Office
Wharf St.
Cairns, QLD  4870

Marina Office: (61) 7 4052 3888

Advantages

  • Located very close to the town center and all cruising amenities
  • Located at the Pier shopping complex which has restaurants, cafes, and gift shops.

Disadvantages

  • Most of the tour boats for the Great Barrier Reef are located within the breakwater of the marina, so it is a bit noisy and boat wakes sometimes rock the boat.

  • No Laundry facilities

  • The showers and toilet are somewhat far from the marina berths.

Other Marinas in the Area:

Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron - This marina is located on Smith Creek and has a large haulout facility and yacht maintenance yard.  The disadvantage is that it is located far from most cruising amenities such as grocery stores, banks and such.

Half Moon Bay Marina - Yorkey's Knob.  This marina is new, and very sheltered although it is somewhat far from Cairns CBD.  We believe there is bus service to the city.

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Cruising Amenities

Grocery Stores - Woolworth's located in the center of town on Grafton St. 

Self-Service Laundry - The only self service laundry is a broken down place located at the Mobil petrol station about a 5-minute walk along the waterfront past the Marina.

Internet Access -   Esplanade and Grafton Sts. near the backpacker places

Shopping Centers - The Pier is the closest shopping area to Marlin Marina.  This has mostly tourist and clothing shops, a few restaurants, but no grocery store. 

Banks/ATMs

  • The Pier Shopping complex
  • All over the town center.

Postal Services - Town center

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Transport

Buses - The bus system services most of the area.  Ask at the Tourist Information Centre at the Pier complex for schedules. Taxis - Taxi service is plentiful

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Yacht Services

Chandleries -
  • BNP Marine 128 Lyon St., Cairns
  • Above Board Marine  64 Reservoir Rd., Cairns
  • Farfor Marine, 26 Aumuller St., Cairns
  • Quay Marine, 134 Buchan St., Cairns
  • Swinton Marine Electronics, Shop 5, 193 Hartley St., Cairns

 

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Miscellaneous

 The following are services or places visited and recommended by Bob and Judi. We can only say that our experience was a good one and we hope that you will also have a favorable experience.
Restaurants -
  • Night Markets - Abott St.  This is a food court where the vendors prepare your food fresh while you wait.  Very good and inexpensive.  Licensed so you can get beer and wine.
  • Many others around town and at the Pier

 More Information

  • Lonely Planet Guide - Australia
  • Cruising the Coral Coast, Lucas, Alan
Liquor Store - Town center, also next to Woolworths.

Things to See and Do -

  • Sea Quest -Take a dive/snorkel boat to the outer reef on the Great Barrier Reef.  This boat is small and fast and the people were terrific.
  • Visit Tjabukai Aboriginal Culture Centre - well worth it for the music, souvenirs and theaters.
  • Take cable car and/or train up the escarpment to Karanda. 
  • Visit Daintree Rainforest

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This Page Last Updated: 02 May 2006

 

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