Rainforest views from the Skyrail near Cairns. Photo / Supplied
Each week, expat Kiwis tell us what they most love about living by Queensland's beaches. Today we hear from Mary Low of the Cairns Chinese Association.
SEE
Best beach: This has to be Palm Cove. It's not too crowded and the jetty there is really very pretty. It has lot going for it for Kiwi visitors.
Best walk: The Red Arrow at Edge Hill, but it's for the fittest among you.
Best adventure: Going out on the Great Barrier Reef.
Best view: Take the SkyRail and look out over the rainforest.
Must do: Port Douglas Markets have lots of fresh fruit if you are looking for good produce to take on a picnic or day out - look for all the tropical fruits such as mangos and lychees.
When Kiwis visit, they love: All the fresh fruit and vegetables.
Best kept secret: Stony Creek Falls (a 10- to 15-minute drive from Cairns city centre) is a small creek in the suburb of the Rainforest Estate. It's a good place to go to escape the humidity.
Best water activity: Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.
Best place to swim: Freshwater Creek or off the beach at Green Island.
TASTE
Best coffee spot: Cruze on Grafton St. Alternatively, try >Jaques Australian Coffee Plantation in Mareeba. It is on the Atherton Tablelands and has great views of the Great Dividing Range. Travellers also have the chance for a tour.
Best spot to get an icecream: Kuranda Markets.
Best picnic spot: Anywhere on the Esplanade. Also, try near the Trinity Wharf area for a spot at the Figtree playground.
The best local produce: Mangos and paw paws, fresh prawns.
Where should we eat? Marinades is the place to go for delicious Indian food. If you fancy Chinese, look no further than the Golden Boat.
Looking for something special for dinner: Tamarind in the Reef Casino. Or make your way to the Bushfire Flame Grill at the Pacific International.
Where to hang out when the sun goes down: Salt House.
PLAY
Best shop: Cairns Central Shopping Centre, where you will find Myer.
Don't miss: The Centre of Contemporary Arts Cairns has two performance-based venues and two galleries.
Worth paying for: The Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome at the Reef Hotel Casino. Look out for birds, koalas and reptiles, plus try your skills on the ziplines.
Be one of the first to: See the cobbled road and the environmental greening of Lake St.
Best sporting event to catch: The Taipans' basketball games.
Best cultural activity in the area: Tanks Arts Centre, Contemporary Indigenous Art Fair.
STAY
Highly recommended accommodation: The Pullman International hotel and Shangri-La should be on your list.
RELAX
Best sunset view: We have mountains to see the sunset. A drive to Trinity Inlet is another option.
Best beach or park: The Esplanade.
Best place to be pampered: Palm Cove.
Favourite spa: The Sea Temple, Palm Cove, is the place to go.
A world away from the glass and concrete of the Japanese capital.