SMITHFIELD, QLD

Smithfield is part of the Cairns Northern Beaches area, about 15km north of the CBD. Smithfield is the business and trade centre of the Cairns Northern Beaches.

Cairns Northern Beaches are a collection of beachside suburbs stretching over 20km along the coast north of Cairns. Lined with palm trees, with plenty of shaded and grassy areas for picnics and BBQs, there are swimming enclosures at most beaches.

There is a large shopping centre at Smithfield, central to all the beaches. The Skyrail rainforest cableway and the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park are nearby. The choice of restaurants is extensive.

Public transport is available from the centre of Cairns, with buses departing regularly. The Northern Beaches have become popular with tourists as they have an excellent range of economical accommodation and restaurants.

Smithfield and the Cairns Northern Beaches have a variety of schools and close proximity to hospitals.

Cairns Northern Beaches include:

• Machans Beach - closest to Cairns, mainly residential. Beach is small, no netted swimming area.
• Holloways Beach - a fairly residential suburb. Beach is popular with locals, netted swimming enclosure.
• Yorkeys Knob - has a Marina and Yacht Club, golf course and long open beach. Several restaurants.
• Trinity Beach - has become a bustling seaside resort. Relaxed atmosphere, home to several restaurants, cafes and take away food shops.
• Kewarra Beach - mainly residential with impressive beachfront houses. Good picnic facility at northern end of beach.
• Clifton Beach - mainly residential. Beautiful shaded grassy areas, picnic areas along the foreshore. Beach itself is relatively uncrowded. Several restaurants.
• Palm Cove - seaside esplanade with grassy areas lined with palm trees, dozens of restaurants, golf courses.
• Ellis Beach - a long thin beach stretching over 1km, has the beauty and charm of Palm Cove but fairly undeveloped, fewer visitors.