Cairns Travel Forum

:) i'm currently living in sydney and my flight is booked to cairns on the 13th of november. i'm moving up with 2 of my friends who hitch hiked up there. we're going to be renting our own 3 bdroom place with aircon and hopefully a pool. and getting full time jobs to save up to travel further to other countries and do the same.. my family is HATING this. but not stopping me.
i just wanted to know a few things.
i hear you can't swim due to box jellyfish?
and i'll be 18 shortly..
is the much to do for 18 year olds?
are there community events?
musical events?
i also hear its not safe after night to walk around?

both my friends are boys and they got jobs the first 2 days they got up there, i hear its more difficult for girls? is this true?

anyone wanna point out a few things.. experiences.. anything. would be cool.
TA :D

Hi Lucy,
You are about the same age as my son, so from a mother's point of view, I would like to say, please keep in touch with your parents so that they know you are OK. Even if you have to call them reverse-charge, I'm sure they would accept the charges. It's so hard for parents when their kids spread their wings.
I'll leave it up to the local VTr's to advise you of your Cairns questions.
Keep safe.

Very good point! You are very young to be travelling with just friends. Be safe

Hello there,
To answer some of your questions...
Number one...employment. There is employment here for girls, I really can't see how it is easier for boys, I think that isn't right!!!
There are two large shopping complexes in Cairns, one is at Earlville and the other is Cairns Central. Here there are Cafe's and other eating places that advertise regularly.Also along the Esplanade. Coffee Club is one I see often looking for people, the one in Cairns Central.Cairns Central has a large food area with all the places like Subway etc. Hey, Subway are always advertising for people, they are scattered around Cairns.
Also you can go to the big Coles. Woolworths etc and see if they need night packers or even day people.
Also the warehouse places, like Crazy Joes or whatever they are usually looking for shelve people, or even cashiers.
Mc Donalds and Hungry Jacks etc are there as well.
It is coming up to the Christmas trading time so you should be able to pick up something in retail for the ( they hope!!) Christmas retail rush.
There are jobs advertised in the Cairns Post on Saturdays and also Wednesdays.
Good luck, I am sure if you are really wanting work you shall find some.It won't be great but it is a start:)
Oh, there is also cleaning at Motels and resorts etc, you can usually pick this up quickly, as long as you can clean!!!
Also take one job and then you can leave if it isn't what you want, just don't leave until you have another:)

Accommodation....NOW one thing to remember is that up here you can get 3 month/6 month /12 month leases....go for the 3 month lease for a start as then you can get out of the lease after 3 months, or you can extend.
Most accommodation have pools etc. You are looking at around 300Aus dollars per week for a 2 bedroom resort type complex..these are upmarket stuff. With pool etc. ( big pools) You pay electricity on top of that.
Then you can go down scale to something more affordable. These are everywhere up here. Remember you must be able to pay a bond and some rent in advance.
Rentals are also in the Sat and Wed paper, plus you will see rent signs out at units.Also find something that is easy to access the city or where you find work. Near a bus route.

There are a number of nightclubs ( for when you turn 18:)) and also other venues for music etc.
You will need to work more than go out to survive the first few months.

You are coming up here at the start of the wet season, so yes there are stingers at the beaches from now on, but hey don't worry, you will have your pool and that should be enough between work and palying:)

Yes, it is/can be dangerous of a night. Like any bigger town/city. Just don't walk alone at night. Catch buses, good bus system up here and not expensive.
You will understand more about this when you come here to live.

I don't think 17 is too young to shift states for awhile. I think it is good that you are going to try to make it on your own, sick or swim at least you will have tried. Just remember if you sink a little, your family are always there, don't be too big to admit you need help:)

I wish you luck and hope you have a wonderful adventure in Far North Qld.

If you are looking for relevant tours/experiences around the area please look at the below sites.
http://greatbarrierscubadive.com.au/
http://daytourscairns.com.au/

hey im 17 and just moved to cairns to, was wondering all the same questions u had lol did u find out any answers??

Jazmin,
You haven't put where you were living before moving to Cairns.
If it was a cooler climate, apart from finding out anything else, I bet you have found it can be damn hot up here:) plus what the build up to the wet season is like!!Looks like it's going to be a very hot one.
Hope you are enjoying Cairns.

i was living in london so yeah im finding it very hot haha! the weather is completly different out here but apart from that yeah im liking cairns :)