A Kiwi recommends ... Cairns, North Queensland

Erenie Te Kakau recommends walking through the Cairns Botanic Gardens. Photo / Supplied

Each week, expat Kiwis tell us what they most love about living by Queensland’s beaches. Today we hear from Cairns-based local government administrator Erenie Te Kakau.

SEE

Best beaches: Ellis Beach, Palm Cove, Port Douglas and Mission Beach.

Best walk: Through the Cairns Botanic Gardens - suitable for all ages.

Best adventure: Sky diving, scenic drive up the coast to Port Douglas for its Sunday markets.

Best view: Driving up to Lake Placid or to Port Douglas. Make sure you stop at the lookouts.

Must do: Visit the Tanks Art Centre in Cairns which hosts musicians such as Tiki Taane, Jimmy Cliff and Jimmy Barnes. This is also part of the botanic gardens and the boardwalk area. Tanks also hosts art exhibitions, Carnival on Collins, the Children's Festival each May, acting/drama workshops, markets on the last Sunday of every month, and loads more.

When Kiwis visit, they love: Trying out the seafood, bars, night spots and shopping.

Famous for: The Raw Prawn and Barnacle Bill's - great seafood restaurants.

Best water activity: Snorkelling, diving, fishing on and around the Great Barrier Reef.

Best place to swim: Crystal Cascades, freshwater swimming holes with no crocs about a 15-minute drive northwest of Cairns.

TASTE

Best coffee spot: Coffee Club on the Cairns Esplanade.

Best spot to get an icecream: The Cairns Esplanade.

Best picnic spot: Along the Esplanade; Muddy's Figtree Playground, or the Cairns Lagoon.

The best local produce: Tropical fruit.

Where should we eat? Dundee's at The Pier.

Looking for something special for dinner: The Raw Prawn, Barnacle Bill's for seafood, or Charlie's all-you-can-eat-buffet. All these places can be found on the Esplanade.

Where to hang out when the sun goes down: Salt House or Vertigo Bar at the Casino. There's no entry cost and usually live bands.

PLAY

Best place to shop: Cairns Central Shopping Centre.

Be one of the first to: Grab a bargain on Boxing Day.

Best sporting event to catch: NRL at Barlow Park and the Tennis National Championships.

Best cultural activity in the area: Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park has free multicultural events from July to November. There is family-friendly and free entertainment on the Esplanade with bands and fire dancers.

Best sunset view: Palm Cove Beach or Four Mile Beach at Port Douglas.

Best beach or park: Ellis Beach or the Lagoon. There is free use of barbecues, just bring food. Plus there's free swimming at the lagoon.