Cairns Travel Forum

Hi.

I wish to know if its common to see drunken aborgines during the day and/or night in Cairns CBD. And also if they pose much of a threat to travellers or the public.

The reason why I ask is I have heard stories of people being mugged by them, and this does have a bearing on whether I would go there with some elderly folks who have been victims of indigenous crims already.

Especially for those living in Cairns, what is the safety record of the city compared to other cities you have been to?

Thanx

OH and don't forget to ask about the drunk European Australians.

You do hear alot about drunk aborigines around different areas. I have travelled extensively in Australia and yes, they do congregate around particular places. I don't believe you need be in fear of them. They usually argue amongst themselves. As an Australian I am ashamed that our original people have come to this but that is another issue. You will see them sitting in a circle in parks etc. They have always done this I guess it was a way of connecting with the land however since white man arrived they have another companion to sit with, alcohol. They are a beautiful people but as with white man alcohol changes people. Don't be in fear of them, just mind your own business and they will mind theirs'. As always ask what places you should avoid as you do in any city, even your own. Enjoy.

QuirkyM, can you see the racism in your question or line of thinking, or do I need to point it out?

Is it crime in general that you are afraid of, or is it indigenous people that you are afraid of?

There are people of ALL nationalities and ethnicities who behave badly, violently, and dangerously under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and when in company of others.

Kiwi's point is valid! Do not steryotype our Indigenous Australians. I have worked in bars on and off for many years, mostly in the Northern Territory where there is a relatively large number of Aboriginal Australians. I have seen many more violent incidents between 'white' drinkers than Aboriginal, and in fact, it has often been the case that the Aboriginals have been the victims. Perhaps you might spend some time learning a little about Indigenous Australian culture rather than automatically assuming the worst. A little understanding might allay your fears and broaden your horizons. Having said that, if you see a group of people and you are concerned, simply avoid them as you would any other apparent danger. Relax and enjoy your holiday in Cairns...it is a beautiful destination..for the record, while we were there we never saw drunks on the street of any colour! Tracey

Her question is valid and not racist at all. She had asked based upon information (right or wrong) she had received and wanted to know if it was accurate or not. A comment "you should have researched ..." well she is researching it. If someone were to ask if is safe to go to South Central LA because they had heard there were gangbangers on every corner that is not racist. It may not be accurate, but it is a legitimate question. Karl

I do agree that asking here is researching.

drunks are drunks, regardless of race/ethnicity.

Likewise, gangbangers are gangbangers regardless of their race/ethnicity. Is it necessary to highlight race/ethnicity of the individual?

People committing crimes --whether under the influence of substances or not -- ought to be the issue, not their race/ethnicity.

Race/ethnicity is irrelevant to the behaviour if it is the behaviour a person wishes to talk about.

Well I found the initial question and title a bit offensive. But I do understand that it's also silly to get wishy washy about a specific group . If they had heard about aboriginals they should be able to ask about them.

Years back, when I lived near Cairns and went out a lot I never had nor saw any problems. Since then I've only ever visited for short periods. My friends there don't voice any concerns. Where I live now Aborigines form a sizeable proportion of most communities and are the majority in some. Yet I get around day and night without any problems. And if you look at my PPP you'd reckon I should be the one to be really afraid. ;O)

Don't make the mistake of carefully avoiding Aborigines and fall victim to danger from others. A while back we had an Irish tourist who hacked the brains out of another tourist with a small hatchet for his money. Took the wallet and then continued on his holiday. Maybe you should avoid places with Irish tourists, statistically it's far more dangerous. Then there was the infamous case of the German tourist who shot about 6 people in a few localities. Better keep away from German tourists. Then there was the European Australian who killed Peter Falconio (not to mention Bryant in Tasmania. Sorry, now I've mentioned it), so I'd advise against going anywhere where there are European Australians. Now, let's see. Where does that leave us for suitable destinations?

I think the member who asked the question now has their answer :-)
LOL @ Zig :-))

Now don't you start looking longingly at my drumsticks ...err... I mean legs, during the trip Pam. ;O)

I was eyeing up your wings actually ;-)

Hi Roadquil, did not suggest that she should not have asked the question about drunken Aborigines in the street, in fact, i believe i answered that to the best of my knowledge at the end of my post. What i suggested was learning a little more about the culture( which I thought would be helpful) rather than purely focusing on the bad stories. Tracey

HI Tracey, yeah it's hard to know what the member has already found out. (or not found out LOL). But I guess this was a specific question prompted by "stories". We all know some stories are correct and some are incorrect but mostly they didn't start for no reason.
This is a difficult topic, as what to do. I mean should it have read: "I've heard that there are certain groups of people who, due to drunkedness, cause trouble in the CDB is that correct?" where by the response could be "certain people (mustn't mention race at all) have been known to do stuff that gives them this reputation but really it's not a huge problem if you use basic common sense to keep you and your folks safe.."

NZ has been known to be a safe country but is increasingly getting a record of more and more tourists coming to grief in some nasty ways.

No you don't see very many alcholioc fuelled Aborigine/Torrens Straight Islanders in Cairns CBD ,of an evening/late night you see more drunk backpackers from all over the world than any other group.
We have thousands of backpackers here at one time, especially in the high season. They love to party. Having said that, I don't care, as they work hard and are allowed to play hard.
Also these young people rarely cause any harm, just ot themselves:)

We have crime in Cairns as do all other cities and towns. These are committed by white man and Aborigine/Torren Straight Islanders.
The reason that you hear about the Aboriginal/Torrens Straight Islanders is because we live in there yard as such, there is a large population of this culture here. There are many, many Aboriginal communities from Cairns to Cape York, plus further afield to the Islands off Cape York.

Police here are continually telling locals and visitors alike to be careful, lock doors, windows and do not walk alone late at night. Trouble is a lot don't listen and set themselves up for crime to happen.

I don't see this as a racist question, it is a question asked in this area a lot, usually the media fuel this situation.
There are good and bad in any community.

PS We haven't got many Emus here, but hell, the place is being taken over by NZer's...:)

:-) Nice informative response thanks Anne :-)

Thankyou Pam:)

The question was not meant to incite any form of discussions on racism. I am here to do research about something that I find important at this time. I can either go there myself and find out or post online. The latter being the cheaper and most convenient. I am dissapointed that some people would even bring it up. If you feel the need to put your 2 cents worth in, you can take that up with the government of australia or amnesty international. For those of you who have lived in Sydney several years ago, Redfern had a bad name for a reason, and the people I am travelling with happened to live in that area. I made no suggestions about ONLY ABORIGINES CAUSE TROUBLE. I simply asked a specific question that will help me re-assure and/or inform an elderly group of people.

QuirkyM, if I may offer my 2-cents (not being Australian might disqualify me?). You will not have a problem with your elderly group in Cairns. I've been there a dozen or more times, brought groups in there, and frankly, from my good knowledge of Sydney, your people are much more likely to have problems in Redfern than in Cairns. Cities can have drunkards/druggies anywhere -- for example, here in Seattle in our downtown parks or at times of big sporting events, Amsterdam for its open drug-tolerance culture, the same with Vancouver, B.C. You just try to keep your group in the good areas, which is very simple in Cairns. This should be a non-issue with race, as any racial/ethnic/particulary sporting group seems to have the same problems with disorderly and possibly dangerous conduct when they party. It's a pity, but truly I have never experienced anything adverse in Cairns, day or night, so put your worries aside and have your group enjoy.

Instead of fearing the Aboriginals, take some of the trips to the aboriginal places near Cairns..Its a facinating culture, and once you talk to some of these people, you will see that they have much to offer.
there are good and bad everywhere. I was offended by the question, but agree, you probably have been misinformed.
I have worked with aboriginals when I was teaching, and they taught me more than what I could ever teach them...Everyone can learn from others cultures...and they are the true Aussies!

Great advice Deb and Marianne. Quirky are you actually going on this trip or just advising the group?

thanks Pam:-)

WOW! This thing has grown legs! I wish it would walk away! Quirky,let me apologise for my response. It was written from atop my high horse...I have since climbed down (although I reserve the right to go for a good gallop every now and then), and I am genuinely sorry if I have caused you any ill feelings.

In my defense...I found the question to be culturally insensitive, and I guess I was not expecting to find cultural insensitivity in pages specifically for travellers. I sincerely hope that you and your friends have a wonderful and safe holiday. Tracey

Quirky is thinking of a trip Pam, not here doing a stir:)
I really think it was an OK question. If you read all the reports about the communties here anyone that hasn't visited or lived in this area would be wondering what it is really like.There are always two sides to a story.
It's very interesting living here and talking to all different people from all sides of the fence. I for one have learnt an amazing amount on the politics of all areas.

Yesterday we had Citizanship ceremonies around Aus, something like 14,000 people from 56 different countries. ( I will be corrected on these numbers, but they are close:))
I think this is amazing, so many different cultures living together.

OH I never for a moment thought it was a stir. Just wondered if they were just asking on behalf of the group. I was intrigued also at the fact this group had "been victims of indigenous crims already". That would make them "gun shy" for sure. But here is not the place to go into that. I wish them well and hope they have a great visit to Cairns :-)

I dont see how its any different for a non- european to be asking about travel to romania, and be totally aware of what gypsies are like. I mean, everyone who is in romania knows not to give the drunk gypsies any money and basically to keep away from them. some die hard civil libertarians may call it racism, but if you look at it from a travellers point of view, its common sense and smart travelling.

now it is drunk Gypsies?

(and for what it's worth, I have been to Romania, and I grew up in a part of Sydney that has the largest urban Aboriginal population).

Is it the drunken behaviour, or the race/ethnicity of the people that concerns you/the group?

Because drunks come in all nationalities. And some people behave very obscenely and dangerously when they are drunk.

Some people just get upset about generalisation. That's all.

OK well since you accuse me of generalising, then i may as well live up to it. i generalise that you are either part aborginal hence why u seem offended, or you live in some middle/upperclass area where you dont really get to see much stuff other than what you want to see.

if you have been to romania, you have probably been to somewhere touristy like brasov or a little country town. because when i got to bucharest station .. oh.. i wont bother telling you as you will just accuse me of more generalisation.

im sure most would agree here that as a traveller, you would know when to feel safe and when not. you trust your instincts based on what you have been told, and what you experienced. you dont just feel unsafe randomly.. there certain triggers.

but we are really getting off topic, i asked a specific question. i wasnt asking for a moral opinions. most would agree here that my posting was objective. like i said, if you have issues with why aborigines are disadvantaged, you can take it up with your local MP.