Venue & Surrounds

Venue

Hilton Cairns Hotel
34 Esplanade Cairns
Queensland, Australia 4870
Tel: 61-7-4050-2000
Fax: 61-7-4050-2001

Set overlooking Trinity Inlet and the Marina, with Cairns shopping on the doorstep, the hotel is in a great location for the OSSANZ Conference with easy access to Cairns attractions like the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest, or to try local golf courses and beach watersports.

The hotel boasts a pool, well-equipped health club and spa, and 3 restaurants and bars. Spoil the family at Mondo Café Bar and Grill or dine at Breezes Restaurant with spectacular views over the hotel’s tropical gardens and Trinity Inlet.

Ten minutes from the airport, the hotel has an Executive Lounge, a 24-hour business center and 7 meeting rooms for 2-300. From Hilton Rooms up, all Hilton Cairns hotel rooms boast high-speed internet access and a private balcony. Executive Rooms offer Executive Lounge access.

Special accommodation rates have been secured for OSSANZ Conference delegates who book and register through the Conference Office. Please see accommodation page for details.

Surrounds

Tropical North Queensland in Australia is a holiday maker's paradise, bursting at the seams with attractions and tours that showcase this remarkable part of the world.

Cairns attractions rank as some of the most original and exciting in Australia. Another bonus is that attractions in this area are within very close proximity to each other. Golden sunny beaches flanked by pristine rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef make Cairns a region that literally has it all! Friendly locals provide a setting for exploration and fun that very few other places in the world can offer.

The city of Cairns has recently been renovated to enhance its image and provide a relaxing place for tourists and Cairns locals to congregate and have fun. Cairns Esplanade, once a huge grassy park, now features a world-class facility incorporating an outdoor amphitheatre, a large sandy swimming lagoon, grassy picnic areas, walking tracks, free public barbecues, children's playground, shops and restaurants, an environmental interpretation centre and a Great Barrier Reef Cruise departure terminal.

You'll never be bored in Tropical North Queensland. Here are just some of the exciting things to see and do:

  • See the Northern Beaches
  • Ride on the Skyrail Rainforest Cable car
  • Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef
  • sail to the tropical islands
  • Browsing for crafts at night markets
  • fish for Barramundi
  • skydive from 14,000 feet
  • enjoy tropical Daintree Rainforest tours
  • Shop in the city center
  • Golf at Cairns Golf Course

How about some other Cairns activities to keep you occupied!

Please note: Dengue fever is present in Cairns, so sensible preventative measures should be taken, including the use of strong insect repellants.

Family Based Activities/Tours

  • Great Barrier Reef Tours - With so many Great Barrier Reef touring options, we have decifered the best ones for families.
  • Wildlife Parks - Kids love animals and Cairns has many parks with exotic tropical animals. Check out our discounts for entry to a few parks!
  • Fun for Older Kids - Teenagers sometimes don't want to hang out with the family, so here's some options for the big kids.
  • Almost Free Attractions - These are the places we beg our parents to take us during school holidays! Special places for fun, all under $50 for the family.
  • Free Attractions - This are the places Cairns locals go on the weekends! Relaxing and beautiful spots to take your children for walks, swims, fun and BBQs.

Adrenalin Tours & Extreme Sports

Cairns has an abundance of extreme sports and adrenalin tours... while it's hard to categorise this theme, it's generally accepted these are the tours and activities that are life-long memorable experiences, the type you brag to your mates about, and your grand-children won't believe you did. So, make sure you buy the videos and the photos to prove your courage and bravery.

  • Skydiving - The thrill of jumping out of a plane from 14,000ft is second to none! Not for the faint hearted, obviously.
  • White Water Rafting - One of the world's best white water rafting rivers is right here in Far North Queensland!
  • Bungy Jumping - Direct from AJ Hackett's tower in the rainforest, bungy with the best here in Cairns.
  • Sea Kayaking - The ultimate adventure for the keen rower, sea kayaking is an awesome day adventure on the ocean.
  • Scuba Diving - Now for under the sea... the Cairns experience not to be missed!

Wildlife Parks

Far North Queensland has a number of exciting boutique wildlife zoos and theme parks scattered throughout the region, all with a distinct tropical flavour.

You'll see the exotic animals of Cairns; Cassowary, Tree Kangaroo and Ulysses Butterfly as well as many more.
All of the parks have an entry fee, however some can be have combination tickets which will get you into a number of the parks at a discounted price. All the theme parks are family friendly and will be adored by children and adults alike.

Flights of Fantasy — Birds & Butterflies

Cold Blooded Bities — Reptiles

Cute, Furry Creatures — Mammals

One Day Travel Itineraries

Explore Cairns City

If you've got a spare day in the Cairns city this is an ideal suggested itinerary for you. A specifically designed itinerary for travellers who do not have a rental car and love a relaxing stroll. Cairns is brimming full of interesting shops, exquisite restaurants and fun things to do. Most of the things on this itinerary are free or inexpensive.

  • Go up the the Cairns Wildlife Dome on top of the Cairns Reef Casino
  • Take a quick dip in the Lagoon at the Cairns Esplanade
  • Inspect the work of FNQ artists at the Regional Art Gallery
  • Walk through the Pier Shopping Centre
  • Watch the sunset at the Marlin Marina as the reef boats returning from the Great Barrier Reef
  • Enjoy a sunmptuous seafood dinner at one Cairns Esplanade restaurants
  • Buy up a storm at the famous Cairns Night Markets (every night is market night)

Cairns to Port Douglas

You will need a rental car for this itinerary - and an early start - but it's well worth it! People love Port Douglas for its superstar qualities, award-winning restaurants and designer shopping.

  • Have Breakfast with the Birds at Rainforest Habitat
  • Visit Cotters Markets (on Sundays only)
  • Stroll through the shops at Marina Mirage
  • Enjoy lunch at the Marina overlooking and many boats and Dickson Inlet
  • Take a drive up to Mossman Gorge and walk through the rainforest or have a swim
  • Walk through the township of Mossman - don't miss the tropical fruit shop
  • Have dinner on Macrossan Street, Port Douglas' eat street

Cairns to Cape Tribulation (incl. Daintree Rainforest)

You will need a rental car for this itinerary, an adventurous spirit and a love of nature. Crossing the Daintree River ferry, this suggested itinerary takes in the best aspects of the Daintree Rainforest and the scenic beauty of Cape Tribultion. Make sure you pick up a map along the way at the Daintree Information Centre.

  • Take a wildlife spotting cruise on the Daintree River, well known for its crocodiles and bird life
  • Cross the Daintree Ferry
  • Enjoy the cool tropical delights at the Daintree Ice Cream Company
  • Spend some time at the Daintree Discovery Centre
  • Have lunch at the acclaimed Dragonfly Cafe
  • Walk around the Mardja Botanical Walk
  • Stroll along the beach at Cape Tribulation
  • Taste exotic fruit at the Cape Trib Fruit Farm
  • Inspect the birdlife at Dubiji Boardwalk
  • Take in the gorgeous view at Alexander Point

For further information on Cairns, please visit: www.cairnsvisitorcentre.com