Table of contents
North Cairns
North Cairns for us is not a suburb but part of the area. It includes the suburbs of Cairns North, Aeroglen, Stratford and Freshwater. These suburbs lie north of the city, but south of the Barron River.
As Cairns has grown over the years these suburbs have become more connected. They are developing stronger communities of interest.
The Barron River is a useful geographical border to separate these four suburbs from Smithfield and the Northern Beaches, all of which lie north of the Barron River. The Barron River provides a northern boundary to the area.
Far North Queensland
North Cairns is an important part of Far North Queensland. The Far North Queensland (FNQ) region is the northernmost part of Queensland. In the south Far North Queensland starts at Cardwell Division on the Cassowary Coast Council. FNQ also stretches north to include all of the Torres Strait, and west to include the Gulf Country.
North Cairns Area History
The suburbs of Freshwater and Stratford were part of the former Mulgrave Shire and have had a ‘sense of identity’ separate from Cairns city. More broadly, the area has been connected to mining (in the early days) and the sugar industry. Indeed much of Freshwater and Stratford remain under sugar cane.
Two of the most important facilities and employers in the region are the Cairns Hospital and the Cairns Airport.
Barron River Delta
The Barron River is 165 kilometres long and it drains an area of 2,300 square kilometres. The River rises on the Atherton Tablelands and flows north through Mareeba before turning east to enter the lowland delta through the spectacular Barron Gorge below Kuranda. The delta covers about 45 square kilometres with Thomatis Creek/Richards Creek providing a distributary channel at the mouth.
Cairns Airport
The Cairns Airport is located at the end of Airport Avenue in the suburb of Aeroglen in Cairns.
The Hospital is located at 165 The Esplanade in the suburb of Cairns North.
North Cairns things to do
There is so much to do in this area, which includes the suburbs of Cairns North, Aeroglen, Stratford and Freshwater. These include sport, hiking and enjoying a drink and a meal at one of the areas excellent venues.
North Cairns Football Club
North Cairns was a foundation member of the Cairns Australian Football League in 1956, a year after the club was formally established. The 1980s were North Cairns’ heyday, yielding consistent finals participation capped by premierships in 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1988.
North Cairns Tigers Netball Club
North Cairns Tigers Netball is a sporting club affiliated with Tigers AFL.
The club is a not-for-profit, membership-based and community-orientated association promoting participation in Netball.
Other Outdoor Recreational Opportunities
From fishing spots to hiking trails, the area offers a variety of activities that both locals and tourists alike will enjoy. Come explore these world-class outdoor offerings today!
The Barron River is home to some of the best fishing opportunities in the area, with a variety of species available for anglers to catch. Indeed popular catches include barramundi, queenfish and arrowhead.
From beginners to experienced anglers, the wide selection of fishing spots will provide plenty of fun for everyone, especially on the Barron River.