How is it like to Study in Cairns?

Cairns, the gateway to the north of tropical Queensland, is a laid-back city that is most suitable for outdoor enjoyment.

Cairns is located in the northeastern part of the country precisely in the state of Queensland. The population also counted no more than 130,000 people. Queensland itself covers a very large area in the northeastern part of the Australian continent.

Because of its location further north, the area where Cairns is located is often referred to as “Far North Queensland”. Cairns was originally founded as a buffer for a mine on the Hodgskin River, then evolved into a port city for several industries in the area. Cairns today is a city dedicated to beach / marine tourism.

Climate in Cairns

Cairns, located in Far North Queensland, experiences hot and humid summers and cool, dry winters. The average annual maximum temperature is 29 ° C (84.2 ° F), with an air humidity level of 62 percent.

During the summer in Cairns, the average temperature ranges from 23.6 – 31.4 ° C (74.5 – 88.5 ° F). The rainy season starts around December, and the highest annual rainfall in this area (around 2000 mm / 78.7 inches) occurs in the summer months.

In autumn, the weather still feels very warm, both during the day and night, with an average temperature between 21.5 – 29 ° C (70.7 – 84.2 ° F). Although the rain began to decrease in April, the weather might still be windy until August. Southeast winds usually continue to blow until around October.

Winter in Cairns offers slightly cooler temperatures with low humidity. In this season, Cairns is flooded with tourists. Average temperatures range from 17.5 – 26 ° C (63.5 – 78.8 ° F) with low rainfall.

In spring, the average temperature varies from 20.5 – 29 ° C (68.9 – 84.2 ° F). This is the end of the dry season, which is marked by increased air humidity and the arrival of the rainy season in December. In November, coral reefs were seen alive thanks to the annual process of coral reef breeding.

Transportation in Cairns

Sunbus is TransLink’s public bus service, operates throughout the city. You can go from the northern beaches to the southern suburbs via the Lake Street bus terminal. This is a division of the Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads with responsibility for buses in Cairns.

On the Queensland Rail Travel website you can find fares and timetable of The Spirit of Queensland travels between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week.

Ports North is located on Trinity Inlet and the closest port to the Great Barrier Reef. This regional port is becoming increasingly popular with tourist craft, private craft, and an international cruise ship destination, as well as an R&R destination for visiting Naval ships.

A number of international and domestic flights arrive at Cairns Airport, which is only 10 to 15 minutes away by car from the city center.

Cost of Living in Cairns

The cost of living in Cairns varies depending on location, type of accommodation, and lifestyle. Usually more affordable to live in shared accommodation. Below is a simple guide to the cost of living:

Type of Accommodation Weekly ($AUD)
Hostels and Guesthouses 90 to 150
Shared rentals 85 to 250
On-Campus and Student Apartments 90 to 350
Homestay 165 to 440
Private rentals 165 to 440

Other living expenses:

Expenses Weekly ($AUD)
Groceries and eating out 80 to 300
Gas, electricity and water 35 to 80
Phone and internet 15 to 55
Public transport 15 to 55
Car 150 to 260
Entertainment 80 to 150

Also read: How to Start a Business in Australia while you are studying

What can you do during the study in Cairns?

A trip to Cairns will not be complete without visiting the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the world. The site consists of 3,000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, and 300 sand islands. Book a day cruise with tour operators such as Passions of Paradise or Quicksilver Cruises to snorkel and dive around the park’s bright coral reefs and colorful fish. For longer stays, you can book a dive and snorkel cruise by staying on the boat for three days with ProDive Cairns.

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel combines a full day Great Barrier Reef cruise with authentic cultural stories from traditional owners who have historical links with the seas of the country visited. This excursion offers a rare learning opportunity to explore coral reefs with sea guards. The Queensland Sea in the north of the country extends from the Frankland Islands to Port Douglas. Book a scenic flight tour to see the views of the Great Barrier Reef from the air.

Discover a number of unspoiled coral islands in Cairns. Ride the high-speed ferry for 45 minutes to the beautiful Fitzroy Island. Here, you can explore rainforest footpaths, snorkel on beaches such as Welcome Bay and Nudey Beach, and witness the charm of the Great Barrier Reef by kayaking in the sea.

Book a day trip to Green Island, a sand island surrounded by white sandy beaches with bluish waters only 30 kilometers from the Cairns coast. Visit remote areas of Hinchinbrook Island, Australia’s largest national park island, and explore landscapes dense with mangroves, remote beaches, and hidden bays. To get a truly exclusive experience, book accommodations in the Bedarra or Lizard islands surrounded by coral reefs.

Rows of trendy cafes are mushrooming in Cairns, many of them lining the streets of Grafton and Spence. Start the day by eating breakfast at Caffiend, a cafe in the alley that serves dishes such as chilli eggs and French-style baked cakes, with cold drip coffee and coconut lattes.

Sing Sing Espresso is another famous outlet that serves coffee and vegan snacks. Sample the abundant salad at Silk Caffe and try their homemade Nutella iced coffee. Take advantage of the warm weather of Cairns and dine alfresco at The Esplanade, with simple Greek specialties from Yaya’s Hellenic Kitchen and Asian Modern fusion dishes from The Raw Prawn. Mingle with locals at Rusty’s Markets (Friday to Sunday), where you can buy fresh, local produce such as exotic fruits, dairy products, and seafood at more than 180 stalls.

Located in the only place that has two World Heritage sites, Cairns is a gateway to exploring Aboriginal culture and Torres Strait residents. The nearby Tjapukai Cultural Center and Rainforestation Nature Park offer interactive introductions with weapons, tools, bush-style food, traditional songs, and dances in the region. The Daintree Rainforest, located north of Cairns, is rich in ancient Aboriginal culture. Adventure North Australia will teach you how to spear crabs that will be eaten together, Walkabout Cultural Adventures will help you find wild medicinal plants, and the Flames of the Forest Aboriginal Cultural Experience takes you to the nearby rainforest of Port Douglas for a seven-course dinner where Kuku Yalanji holds musical performances, ceremonies, and fairy tales.

The World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest can be reached from Cairns within a two-hour drive to the north. In addition, this location can be seen by traveling a day or two from the city, by staying overnight at one of the inns in the wilderness. Tropical rainforests are home to the most diverse flora and fauna in the world, including kangaroos which inhabit rare trees and endangered cassowaries.

Universities in Cairns

Read: Universities in Australia Offering Scholarships for International Students

Central Queensland University

With the largest footprints from any university in the country, CQUniversity Australia offers more than 20 national locations; each with its own lively character and various facilities and services and course offerings. CQUniversity has 16 campuses in five Australian states including 11 Queensland regional locations from Cairns to Noosa, along with five CBD campuses in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.

CQUniversity is famous for online education and social justice; ensure that regardless of your background or location, you have access to quality education and training. Other CQUniversity locations, in the form of Study Centers, Study Hubs, Regional University Center Partnerships (RUCPs) and Delivery Sites provide various levels of support, access to facilities, and study options for Australians throughout the country.

Why CQU?

  • One of the best universities in the world under 50 years by Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings
  • 5 stars in graduate & educational experience, The Good Universities Guide 2020
  • 5 QS Stars
  • 94% of students are satisfied or very satisfied with the experience of arrival, 2018 International Student Barometer (ISB)
  • World’s top 400 for Engineering and Technology, 2020 Times Higher Education (THE)
  • The world’s top 500 for Education, 2020 Times Higher Education (THE)
  • The world’s top 500 for Business and Economics, 2020 Times Higher Education (THE)
  • Top 600 of the world for Social Sciences, 2020 Times Higher Education (THE)
  • 92% of students are satisfied or very satisfied with the support services received, 2018 International Student Barometer (ISB)
  • 91% of students satisfied or very satisfied with the learning experience, 2018 International Student Barometer (ISB)
  • 90% of students satisfied or very satisfied with life experiences, 2018 International Student Barometer (ISB)
  • Top 800 world universities, Times Higher Education World Rankings
  • Top 650 world universities, QS World University Rankings

More than 300 courses are available to study from short courses and certificate level to PhD. The following are the study areas to choose from:

  • Digital Media, Communication and Arts
  • Education, Teaching and Childcare
  • Engineering, Built Environment and Aviation
  • Apllied Health
  • Business and Accounting
  • Creative, Performing and Visual Arts
  • English and Study Pathways
  • Information Systems and Technology
  • Science, Environment and Agriculture
  • Service Industries
  • Trades
  • Law, Criminology and Justice
  • Nursing, Paramedicine and Health
  • Psychology, Social Work and Community Services
  • Transport and Safety Sciences

Read: Affordable Universities in Australia

James Cook University

The JCU Cairns campus is precisely in Smithfield surrounded by mountains and is only 20 minutes from the beach by car. There are 4,000 students including 380 international.

JCU is a university of study destination which is favored not only by local students but also by international students from 108 countries. JCU offers 403 programs tailored to the needs of the workforce. JCU has a JCU Orpheus Island Research Station which is certainly not owned by any other university. Revenue from the study reached $ 47.7 million with connections to 124 countries in the world.

Other reasons to choose JCU:

Why JCU?

  • # 1 in Australia for employer satisfaction, the QILT Employer Satisfaction Survey National Report
  • Future investment of up to $ 1.9 billion
  • Top 2% in the world, ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities
  • 5 stars for ability development
  • 5 stars for full-time employment
  • 5 stars for student support
  • 5 stars for graduate work success, 2018 The Good Universities Guide
  • Top 50 modern universities, Times Higher Education 50 under 50 2016

JCU offers study areas:

  • Arts & Social Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business
  • Dentistry
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Environmental management
  • Geoscience
  • Health Studies
  • Information Technology
  • Law
  • Marine Science
  • Medicine
  • Nursing & Midwifery
  • Occupation Therapy
  • Pharmacy                                                                 
  • Physiotherapy
  • Planning
  • Psychology
  • Public Health & Tropical Medicine
  • Science
  • Social Work
  • Speech & Exercise Science
  • Tourism
  • Veterinary & Animal Science

For more information about study in Cairns or choosing universities in Cairns, please contact us: