Tropic Weekender: Our guide to the best events and things to do in Cairns
You're in for a top weekend, whether you opt to bungy jump after dark, get your drum beats going at the Cairns African Festival, or show off your retro fashion and dancing moves at Macalister's.
Families have plenty to do, too - with the Cairns Speedway roaring back to life, activities galore at Ecofiesta, and North Queensland's only Tasmanian Devils being welcomed into their new home.
The weather’s going to be absolutely perfect with cool mornings, daytime tops of 28 degrees and sunny with light winds.
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Friday 27 May
There's plenty of live music to kick your weekend off on a high note, with Vivien Aisi delivering music for the soul, alongside the Afro-Caribbean stylings of Zaynab as part of The Court House's free event, Out On The Lawn.
Those of you who were late 90s and early 2000s teens might prefer to rock along to a Blink 182 and Green Day tribute at The Edge Hill Tavern. Tickets from about $30.
The Tanks Arts Centre will be celebrating the backyard trampoline as Selina Kudo opens her Jump exhibition, while Angela Meyer's Leaves and Petals watercolours display will launch and Karyn McDonald will take as Into the Deep Unknown. Admission is free for all.
The Cairns City Library will be hosting local author, Averill Kenny. Her newest book is set around the crater lakes of the Atherton Tablelands and we can assure it's a great read.
If sport is more your thing, head along to the Drive Fore Dreams golf charity event at Cairns Golf Club.
Saturday 28 May
There's truly something for everyone, starting from the Cairns African Festival, complete with delicious food, drumming and a fashion show. Children aged 0-17 are free, tickets for everyone else up to $28 are here.
Head to Your Wardrobe Cairns to pick up a fashionable bargain, while helping the planet - or meet the new Tasmanian Devils at Rainforestation. Kids entry is free if they colour in a ticket.
Drivers will be having their first hit-out for 2022 as part of the Greatest Show on Dirt at Cairns Speedway. It's $50 for a family ticket through eventbrite.
As night falls, head to Macalister's Brewery's 5th birthday retro disco, or perhaps for something more refined you'd prefer to see Mark Vincent and Mirusia at CPAC.
Our pick of local markets today is Yungaburra Markets.
Sunday 29 May
Take a moment to mark the 30th anniversary of the Torres Strait flag.
Cairns Ecofiesta is also on today, filled with all things environmentally-friendly - including some of the latest innovations.
Unseen Cinema is showing Ithaka, a doco about the campaign to free Julian Assange (did you know he spent much of his childhood in North Queensland?).
AJ Hackett will be visiting his Smithfield Skypark. Meet the man himself as the park brings back After Dark for one night only, with live music from The Brazilians and party tunes with DJ Daniel Jon.
Alternatively, the rooftop at The Benson will come alive as a pool party hosts performances and DJs, plus much more. Tickets $20 via eventbrite.
