Portsmith Cairns

Portsmith Cairns: Your 2025 Local Guide

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Portsmith Cairns

Portsmith is a suburb in the Central Cairns area, with a population of less than 500 people. However, the small population is explained by the land use. The suburb is mainly small industrial and port facilities.

Portsmith, Qld

Portsmith also has a significant amount of light industry. There are small manufacturers, carriers, meat and seafood suppliers and businesses relevant to the marine sector.

Indeed, the area is also home to the State Government’s Northern Fisheries Facility and TAFE Queensland’s, Great Barrier Reef International Marine College.

However the industry providing the most employment to residents of the suburb has nothing to do with the port. Indeed the biggest employer of people actually living in Portsmith is ‘Aged Care and Social Assistance’.

Portsmith Cairns Map

Portsmith Cairns FAQs

Are there any schools in Portsmith?

There are no primary or secondary schools in the suburb. However, the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College is located in Portsmith.

Is there a post office in Portsmith?

There is no post office in the suburb.

Portsmith Cairns Things to Do

Portsmith, a suburb in Cairns, Queensland, offers a range of activities, particularly for those interested in maritime and industrial attractions.

Portsmith Cairns Restaurants

There are not many restaurants in the suburb. However, Hot ‘N’ Tastie Portsmith is a Lunch Kiosk that is popular with those who work and study in the area.

The Cairns Cruising Yacht Club has a bar and bistro that caters for members and is available for functions. You can dine and enjoy the view over Smith’s Creek to Admiralty Island in Trinity Inlet.

International Marine College

The Great Barrier Reef International Marine College (GBRIMC), is located at 55-61 Tingira Street in Portsmith. The college provides maritime training to local, national and international clients.

As part of TAFE Queensland, GBRIMC is an industry leader in delivering high quality maritime education and training to seafarers.

International Marine College
International Marine College

Portsmith Dump Cairns

Waste facilities are located at the western end of the suburb, bordered by Chinaman Creek, Ray Jones Drive and Trinity Inlet. These include the old Cairns landfill (which was closed earlier this century), the council waste transfer station and the buyback shop.

The waste transfer station is where residents can drop off items that don’t belong or cannot fit in household rubbish bins. Indeed household recyclables can be dropped off for free along with scrap metal and many other items.

Portsmith Transfer Station
Portsmith Transfer Station

Cairns Portsmith Transfer Station

The Cairns Portsmith Transfer Station is an essential facility for waste management in the Cairns region. It is locate at 38-48 Coogee Street, Portsmith, QLD 4870, Australia.

The transfer station is designed to manage and facilitate the proper disposal, recycling, and treatment of waste materials generated by residents and businesses in the Cairns region.

The facility accepts a variety of waste types, including general household waste, green waste, bulky items, and construction and demolition waste.
It serves as a convenient drop-off point for residents who need to dispose of waste that cannot be collected through regular kerbside services.

The Cairns Portsmith Transfer Station is a key component of the region’s waste management infrastructure, offering essential services for the disposal and recycling of various waste materials. By using the transfer station, residents and businesses contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable environment in Cairns.

Portsmith Cairns Real Estate

It is important to note Portsmith is primarily an industrial and commercial suburb with limited residential properties. Its strategic location and accessibility make it an attractive area for businesses, while its proximity to the Cairns CBD provides essential amenities.

Portsmith continues to see real estate development in its industrial and commercial sectors, with potential for future growth as Cairns expands.

Portsmith Cairns Houses for Sale

There are very few residential properties for sale in Portsmith. Land here is subject to flooding, posing a significant risk for potential investors.

Boat Ramps and Boating

There are two modern boat ramps located in the suburb. Consequently both offer easy access to Trinity Inlet. They are the Fearnley Street boat ramp and the Tingira Street boat ramp, both of which have easy access and lots of room.

The suburb is also home to the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron which offers a range of marine services including a marina with a courtesy berth, secure boat storage area and private boat ramp.  Consequently the club overlooks Smith’s Creek and the mountains behind.  

Climate Change

Cairns Regional Council has produced a map that shows the Portsmith area. This map is of a topographical nature and highlights the risk of storm surge inundation and flooding in this area.

The entire suburb is flat low-lying land. It is less than 10 metres above sea level. Consequently, sea-level rise is impacting the suburb, parts of which are underwater at times of King Tide.

Portsmith Cairns
Portsmith Cairns

Portsmith Postcode

The postcode for Portsmith Cairns is 4870.

Cairns Postcode

The postcode for Cairns city is 4870. For other nearby locations refer to our Cairns postcodes guide.

Portsmith Cairns Government

The suburb lies within Division 5 of the Cairns Regional Council local government area. At the state level it is completely within the Cairns electorate, while at the federal level Portsmith is within the electorate of Leichhardt.

Central Cairns

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3 responses to “Portsmith Cairns: Your 2025 Local Guide”

  1. […] the wet season, people are often aware of flood vulnerability in suburbs such as Portsmith, Bungalow, Cairns North and the Cairns CBD. However, they are not as aware of the possibility of […]

  2. […] Cairns for our purposes includes the Cairns CBD and the nearby suburbs of Portsmith, Bungalow in Parramatta Park […]