CLIFTON BEACH
It's true, Cairns city wasn't blessed with a sandy beach, just tidal mudflats. The City Council has made up for this with the recent construction of a sparkling man made lagoon on the Cairns esplanade. But if you want a 'real' beach experience, you'll have to head a wee ways north, to the string of peaceful, leafy, beachside suburbs called -not surprisingly- the 'Northern Beaches'. C'mon in, the water's perfect!
THE BEACHFRONT COMMUNITIES MAKING UP THE 20 KILOMETRE STRETCH OF COASTLINE KNOWN AS THE 'NORTHERN BEACHES' ARE EACH QUITE UNIQUE IN ATMOSPHERE. USE THE LINKS IN THE SIDE COLUMN TO GO TO YOUR CHOSEN DESTINATION.
The Northern Beaches are pleasant, laid back little villages lined with palm trees and plenty of shaded, grassy areas for picnics and BBQs. The tourism boom in the Cairns region hasn't spoilt the authentic Tropical North Queensland charm of these communities, and although the areas are well served by public transport, with local bus company Sunbus running regular services to and from the centre of Cairns, the Northern Beaches are largely overlooked by the masses. In fact, you can still often find a stretch of beach completely to yourself, especially during the week, when many of the residents are at work.

The Northern Beaches have always been a popular getaway for Cairns locals, but in recent years the has area seen the development of a range of tourist accommodation and restaurants, particularly popular with families on vacation. The communities that make up the Cairns Northern Beaches are: Machan's Beach, Holloway's Beach, Yorkey's Knob, Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach, Clifton Beach, Palm Cove and Ellis Beach.

Swimmers at the Northern Beaches of Holloway's Beach, Yorkey's Knob, Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach, Clifton Beach, Palm Cove and Ellis Beach can swim in stinger resistant enclosures during the summer 'stinger season'The Cairns City Council installs stinger resistant nets at Clifton Beach during the 'stinger season'. Swim only in netted areas, and for more information about marine stingers, please visit our SAFE TRAVEL page.

CLIFTON BEACH

Magnificent view of Clifton Beach, in Tropical North Queensland. Photo courtesy of Argosy on the Beach Apartments.Clifton Beach is located in a strecth of beach north of Cairns, which also comprises Kewarra Beach and Palm Cove. Clifton Beach has magnificent views over Double Island and Haycock Island, allowing for picturesque scenery all day long. There are beautiful shaded grassy areas and places to picnic along the foreshore, and the beach itself is relatively uncrowded. There are a number of hotels and holiday apartments on the Esplanade and in the surrounding streets.

Clifton Beach is well serviced with shops, a service station and lots of parks. The local Bransford's Shopping Village has a fish and chip shop, Mini Mart, Bait and Tackle and a chemist. At Clifton Shopping Village, you'll find a Woolworths supermarket and a selection of specialty shops.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ARGOSY ON THE BEACH APARTMENTS

The Esplanade at Clifton Beach is perfect for morning and evening walks and visitors can find a fabulous BBQ picnic area complete with children's playground, surf life guard and a protected swimming enclosure that allows swimming during the summer months, when marine jelly fish inhabit these waters. The main tourist attractions in Clifton Beach are Cairns Tropical Zoo (formerly Wild World), The Opal Mine (a museum about historical opal mines in the Far North Queensland), and of course the beach.

ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO SEE AND DO - CLIFTON BEACH

Cairns Tropical Zoo, one of the best interactive zoos in Tropical North Queensland.All the family will enjoy a visit to Cairns Tropical Zoo, in Far North Queensland. CAIRNS TROPICAL ZOO
Captain Cook Highway, Palm Cove
Phone (07) 4055 3669 / Fax (07) 4059 1160

www.cairnstropicalzoo.com

Australia's best 'Hands On' wildlife experience!

A visit to the tropical north wouldn't be complete without seeing some of Australia's fantastic wildlife up close. Just 20 minutes north of the city at Palm Cove, Cairns Tropical Zoo has twice daily presentations featuring fabulous free flight birds, giant saltwater crocodiles, stunning snakes, adorable red pandas and so much more - including a mob of tame kangaroos just waiting to be hand fed. Souvenir cuddly koala photos are available for an extra cost. There are numerous opportunities during the day to get close, touch, feel, and make some new animal friends.

Why not plan your visit to include breakfast or lunch. "Breakfast Time at the Zoo" commences every day from 8.30am. Whilst enjoying your bacon and eggs or scrumptious Belgian Waffles, enjoy some very up close and personal animal time with one of the zoo's keepers.

Cairns Night Zoo, in Tropical North Queensland, provides a great opportunity to experience nocturnal wildlife in the tropics.Cairns Night Zoo, in Tropical North Queensland, offers a very enjoyable Australian night out.CAIRNS NIGHT ZOO
PO Box 214, Clifton Beach
Phone (07) 4055 3669 / Fax (07) 4059 1160

www.cairnsnightzoo.com

A Great Australian Night Out!

Whatever your age or nationality, Cairns Night Zoo is a 'must do' for any holiday itinerary. Operating 7.00pm to 10.00pm five nights per week, (Monday to Thursday and Saturday nights), this dinner with a difference features a big dose of Aussie hospitality.

Dinner includes the famous Australian BBQ, salads, delicious desserts, and complimentary beers, wines, champagne and soft drinks. Enjoy live music provided by the resident musician, then it's off on the spotlighting tour. See crocodiles, koalas, birds, a possum or two, and some surprises. Enjoy Billy Tea & Damper with our Swaggie (an original Australian bushman), and meet some friendly kangaroos before heading back for more entertainment and some 'Hokey Pokey' - that's a dance! This is a night filled with good food, good folk, and good fun!

PARADISE PALMS COUNTRY CLUB
Paradise Palms Drive, Clifton Beach
Phone (07) 4059 9900 / Fax (07) 4059 1120
Constantly ranked as one of Australia's best and most challenging golf courses, Paradise Palms offers a combination of sweeping fairways, snaking creeks, six lakes, narrow undulating greens and 94 bunkers. Open to the public seven days a week, the course is a great test for golfers of all levels.

OUTBACK OPAL MINE
24 Alexandra Street, Clifton Beach
Phone (07) 4055 3492 / Fax (07) 4055 3571
The Outback Opal Mine is a light-hearted educational experience. A documentary provides an insight into Australia's National Gemstone. Later a tour through the simulated opal mine features an extensive range of rough opal embedded in the walls, offering visitors a greater understanding of the different types of opal.


ACCOMMODATION - CLIFTON BEACH

Clifton Beach accommodation ranges from family friendly holiday apartments to luxurious holiday homes. Those seeking a bed and breakfast or a budget beachfront cottage will also find what they're looking for with Clifton Beach accommodation.

Agincourt Beachfront Apartments, in Clifton Beach, are located right on the beachfront.Agincourt Beachfront Apartments offer fabulous Clifton Beach quality accommodation.AGINCOURT BEACHFRONT APARTMENTS
69-73 Arlington Esplanade, Clifton Beach (MAP)
Phone (07) 4055 3500
Fax (07) 4055 3628
Tollfree 1800 023 224

www.agincourt.com.au

Fully self contained Beachfront and Garden View Apartments located right on the beachfront at beautiful Clifton Beach. All have large private balcony or patio, cable TV, full kitchen, laundry, air-conditioning. All apartments serviced by lifts. The resort style complex features Large 20m heated lap pool, undercover BBQ area, undercover car park. It is great place to relax and enjoy the ocean breeze.

Stay at Calypso Corner, in Clifton Beach, and you can spend your time out on the Great Barrier Reef or exploring the Rainforest, Atherton Tablelands, Kuranda or Cape Tribulation.Calypso Corner Holiday Home, in Tropical North Queensland, is just the place to unwind and only a few minute's walk to Clifton Beach, north of Cairns.CALYPSO CORNER
36 Satellite Street, Clifton Beach (MAP)
Phone (07) 4059 0546 / Fax (07) 4059 0551

www.calypsocorner.com.au

An experience not to be missed!

Calypso Corner is a 4 bed 3 bathroom holiday home plus separate one bedroom apartment. It has a fabulous resort style pool with spa features and great entertainment area. There is a large kitchen and open plan lounge and dining area. The living rooms and bedrooms all have french doors that open onto the wooden verandah that surround the outside bar and b.b.q. area and the free form salt water pool.

So come and spend candlelit evenings under the stars, or have a barbecue and a few drinks by the pool. Whatever you choose, you can be rest assured that Calypso Corner holiday accommodation is the place to get the rest and relaxation you deserve!

Argosy on the Beach is the perfect location from which to enjoy this tropical region of ancient rainforests to our great wonder of the world The Great Barrier Reef.Nestled in this serene location of Clifton Beach, Tropical North Queensland, Argosy is a blend of hospitality, comfort and style perfectly matched in the surrounds of the tropics.ARGOSY ON THE BEACH
119 Arlington Esplanade, Clifton Beach
Phone (07) 4055 3333 / Fax (07) 4059 1279

www.argosycairns.com

Stylish beachfront holiday apartments!

Argosy on the Beach is the perfect location from which to enjoy this tropical region of ancient rainforests to our great wonder of the world The Great Barrier Reef, with all tours providing transfers to and from Argosy At Clifton Beach holiday apartments.

Argosy on the Beach four star one and two bedroom apartments are truly relaxing. Spacious open plan living areas with floor to ceiling glass open onto huge private balconies over looking the beach while taking in cool sea breezes. All feature a queen size bed in the master bedroom with walk in robe and ensuite, and two single beds in the second bedroom. Each apartment has two bathrooms, one with a full sized bath and every bedroom opens directly onto rear balconies which overlook gardens with mountain views! The birdlife and wildlife is simply lovely.

..CLIFTON PALMS
35 Upolu Esplanade, Clifton Beach (MAP)
Phone (07) 4055 3839 / Fax (07) 4055 3888
www.cliftonpalms.com.au

Perfect for families, couples, or a group of friends!

Clifton Palms offers affordable 3.5 star holiday accommodation - set in lush tropical gardens - only 200 metres from the beach, restaurants and shops close by. Choose from self-contained tropical decor, 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedroom apartments privately nestled among the palms. Clifton Palms apartments are set on one acre of lush gardens with the sounds of birds and sightings of local wildlife. You're just 20 minutes from Cairns International Airport but a world away when it comes to tranquility, privacy and relaxation.

Apartments are fully self contained and air conditioned, with outdoor patios or balcony. Enjoy the large saltwater swimming pool, with undercover BBQ and entertainment area. And remember... you're just an hour from the rainforest, and an hour from the reef. Tour operators will pick up from your door!

GUM TREE NATURE RETREAT
Sudbury Close, Clifton Beach
Phone (07) 4059 2793 / Mobile 0439 353 993
Gum Tree Nature Retreat is offers secluded accommodation on over 2 acres of bushland on a hillside with views to the ocean. Holiday accommodation for the nature enthusiast on the Northern Beaches of Cairns

GARLIND BEACHFRONT COTTAGE
Clifton Beach
Phone / Fax (07) 4041 3050
This original two bedroom Clifton Beach beachfront cottage provides clean, basic, all-inclusive accommodation at an affordable price

LAHANIA BY THE SEA
1/5 Arlington Esplanade, Clifton Beach
Phone (07) 4059 0288 / Fax (07) 4059 0233
These self contained apartments are perfectly suited to all types of travellers. Select from Lahania Cairns self contained Apartments well appointed 1, 2, 3 & 4 bedroom, Pool View, or Courtyard self contained apartments

CLIFTON BEACH RETREAT B&B
35 Batt Street, Clifton Beach
Phone (07) 4059 0452
The rooms at Clifton Beach Retreat B&B are new semi self-contained air-conditioned cabin style including queen size beds, fridge, TV, ensuite with toilet & shower, microwave, tea/coffee making facilities, built in safe, shared laundry and private balcony

DINING - CLIFTON BEACH

BILLABONG SERVICE STATION AND TAKE AWAY
Captain Cook Highway, Clifton Beach
Phone (07) 4055 3155
Grab freshly cooked fish and chips while you fill your car with petrol.

SPANISH BAR & GRILL
Shop 24 Clifton Village Shopping Centre, Clifton Beach
Phone (07) 4059 1456
Spanish Bar and Grill offers Spanish inspired food with an international touch. Their food is very similar to what you would find in a restaurant in Spain. Excellent value for money. See our review.

CLIFTON CAPERS BAR AND GRILL
14 Clifton Road, Clifton Beach
Phone (07) 4059 2311

CLIFTON VILLAGE TAKE-AWAY
Captain Cook Highway, Clifton Beach
Phone (07) 4055 3190

GETTING TO CLIFTON BEACH

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Cairns Unlimited offers you the best deals on Cairns car rentals.If you are thinking of joining a tour, bear in mind that most of the tour companies will pick you up from your accommodation in the Northern Beaches and will drop you off at the end of the day. However, if you want to have the freedom of driving your own car, please visit our CAIRNS CAR HIRE page, where we will offer you the best deal available on a rental car or campervan in the whole city of Cairns and surrounds. Could you ask for more?
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Coral Reef Coaches provides transfers between Cairns, Clifton Beach, Port Douglas and Mossman as well as Cairns airport transfers.CORAL REEF COACHES
35 Front Street, Mossman
Phone (07) 4098 2800 / Fax (07) 4098 1064
Tollfree 1300 781 404

www.coralreefcoaches.com

Connecting Tropical North Queensland!

Coral Reef Coaches provides daily transfers between Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches, including Clifton Beach, Port Douglas and Mossman, as well as airport transfers from Cairns to the Northern Beaches, Port Douglas and Mossman. They are also available for charters and group bookings.

Coral Reef Coaches is a locally owned company, providing an efficient, reliable service to all of their passengers with helpful, friendly staff in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles. The staff are personally committed to working together and continually improving their quality of service to meet the requirements of their customers.

For more information about Coral Reef Coaches schedule and limousine hire service, please visit their website.

Sunbus is Cairns local bus company, servicing the city of Cairns and Cairns Northern Beaches, including Clifton Beach.Sunbus is the local bus company servicing Cairns city, suburbs and Northern Beaches. They run a dozen or so different routes around the city and operate a 'Hail and Ride' service. Sunbus runs a route from Cairns to Palm Cove, stopping at Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach and Clifton Beach along the way. If you are looking for a cheaper option, Sunbus offer 24 hour and weekly Zone tickets, cheaper than the return ticket. You can find a Sunbus route map, prices and timetable of their services at their website.

The local taxi company is Black and White taxis. Taxi fares in Queensland are regulated by the government, and a trip from the airport to Clifton Beach should cost around $47. But hey, book your Clifton Beach holiday accommodation or CAIRNS RENTAL CAR through Cairns Unlimited, and that's forty seven bucks we could save you! While you're in town, phone 131 008 to book a taxi.

SUN PALM EXPRESS
Phone (07) 4087 2900
Sun Palm Express runs a number of services every day from Cairns to all points north as far as Cape Tribulation, picking up and setting down at all accommodation houses, hotels, air, bus, train and shipping terminals.
Relaxing in Tropical North Queensland. Sunrise in Trinity Beach, north of Cairns.
The Coral Sea, in Tropical North Queensland.
Amazing sunset in Tropical North Queensland.
Fishing at the beach, in Tropical North Queensland.
Beautiful view of Palm Cove Beach, Tropical North Queensland.


EMERGENCY SERVICES

In case of emergency only, dial 000. In all other cases, phone the local service :

Ambulance 131 233
Hospital (07) 4050 6333
Police (07) 4030 7000

Why waste money on disposable cameras, and be limited to just a handful of photos. Rent one of our latest model 7.1 Megapixel Canon Underwater cameras, and take as many photographs as you want!




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