Cairns.

In Far North Queensland, Cairns offers an unbeatable urban lifestyle by the water’s edge. Laidback, cosmopolitan and all within easy reach of some of Australia’s most stunning natural attractions – namely the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, two world heritage-listed sites, plus an abundance of national parks, beaches, rivers and inlets that are a veritable playground for outdoor activities.

With year-round summer vibes, Cairns not only caters well to the local crowd, but it’s also one of Australia’s most in-demand holiday destinations. The multicultural foodie scene delights at every turn with on-trend cafes and casual eateries to themed-cocktail lounges and late-night bars. And the vibrant foreshore precinct delivers waterfront dining and bars in spades. Then there is world-class shopping, parklands, and the swimming lagoon, and when you need to feel the sand beneath your feet, the Northern Beaches are within easy reach.

Tourism operators are in abundance, offering cruises, diving and snorkelling expeditions of the area’s incredible reef system, as well as tours of the Daintree Rainforest. There are also plenty of opportunities to get the heart rate up with white-water rafting, canyoning, skydiving, trekking, abseiling, bungy jumping and quad biking.

Along with being a tourism hub, Cairns is one of Australia’s fastest-growing regional centres. With an international airport, a line-up of state and private schools (including a campus for James Cook University), transport links, world-class sporting facilities and convention and entertainment facilities. With balmy weather year-round, Cairns offers a lifestyle of ease and leisure with all the perks of city convenience.