While social media often gets a bad rap, our feeds can be a pretty inspiring space, with lots of interesting people to be found in our own part of the world.
From budding athletes-turned-Olympians to environmental activists, reality TV stars to those with a talent for the arts; Cairns has it all.
In no particular order, here're some of the Far North's best influencers, game-changers and adventure seekers that are creating and sharing their passions.
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Mary Fowler 32k
A prodigy of the locally-renowned 'Fowler five', 19-year-old Mary is the youngest player in the Australian Matildas squad.
She was based in Montpellier, playing for the French city's national team, but now plays for Manchester City.
Fowler was recently named in ESPN FC’s list of the best 21 female players under 21 and has declared her intention to become the world’s best female player.
INSTAGRAM: @maryfowlerrr
Pablo Cogollos 14k
Alongside being a marine biologist and Reef Guide, Pablo Cogollos also finds time to take some pretty surreal underwater shots.
He's involved with just about every ocean conservation group around Cairns, including the Reef Restoration Foundation and Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef.
INSTAGRAM: @pablocogollos_photography
Maddi Wright 33k
Maddi and her husband Lloyd Wright appeared on House Rules back in 2013 when the show first aired.
Fast forward to today, Wright runs her own support coordination service I'ara, which operates across Queensland.
She entertains a follower base of over 33 thousand with down-to-earth content, a lot of which features her two sons and family life in the tropics. Maddie is also a university student at JCU chasing a Master’s in Social Work.
INSTAGRAM: @mrsmaddiwright
Aaron Gallagher 12k
One half of the original adventure channel Back 2 Basics, Aaron and his mate Jack Strickland (Strick) have a huge global audience tuned into their adventures across northern Australia.
Often the pair survive only on what they’re able to catch, gather and forage, spending weeks upon weeks exploring Cape York's wildest places. Aaron also spent a month kayaking through ocean open to the tip of the country!
With roots in the region's south, his family operates farm shop The Pocket in El Arish, where they grow an array of tropical fruits and keep a small buffalo herd.
INSTAGRAM: @azzgallagher
Greta Stanley 8k
Singer-songwriter and full time dog mum, Greta Stanley’s music is setting her path up for fame. Folk and indie mix, her songs are both incredibly vulnerable and easy to enjoy.
She currently has two albums and two EP's doing the rounds on all mainstream platforms, and no doubt you've heard her on the radio.
She also makes a regular appearance at The Tanks, don't sleep on tickets!
INSTAGRAM: @gretastanley
Mitchell White 3k
Mitchell White continues to impress with his stunning make up skills, proving that self-expression has not bounds.
As the Owner of MW Brows and Lashes, Mitchell’s customers leave looking fabulous and feeling fabulous, and if their makeup is any reference, we’re all super impressed.
INSTAGRAM: @mitchellwhite_
Cayla George 24k
Cayla is an Australian Opal, having represented Australia twice in the Olympics, and won bronze at the World Cup.
She currently plays for Cairns Dolphins in NBL1, and the Melbourne Boomers in the WNBL, and has also just welcomed her first child.
You may have seen her around town, often making an appearance at the Taipans home games.
INSTAGRAM: @cfrannykg
Naomi Hobson 12.4k
Proving her skill with pieces being sold all the way in Singapore, Naomi Hobson is an indigenous artist who focuses on the abstract.
Naomi is a woman of multiple skill sets and creates paintings, photography and ceramics.
Deeply personal, her art expresses both her struggles as an indigenous woman and the celebration of her culture.
INSTAGRAM: @naomi_hobson_artist
James Stanton-Cooke 10.4k
James Stanton-Cooke’s bizarre half beard is a true symbol to his selflessness and deep care for the environment.
James asks for people to shave, colour, or braid half their hair to represent how half of the world’s forests have been destroyed.
In doing so, this raises money to buy back lots of land in the Daintree Rainforest to prevent any more from being cut.
James continues with this hair style all year as a way to start a conversation and raise awareness about exactly what its purpose is. Truly a hero.
INSTAGRAM: @jimmy_halfcut
Bec Piper 44k
Bec is a self-proclaimed nature lover documenting all her underwater adventures.
She’s a skilled photographer and videographer and has amassed a healthy following of almost 44k on Instagram.
INSTAGRAM: @bec.piper.photography
David White 49.6k
David is a crocodile guide on the only zero emission boat on the Daintree River.
He’s known to his subjects as the Wildlife Paparazzi and manages to snap the dinosaurs in action on the regular.
INSTAGRAM: @solar_whisper
Katie Purling 101k
Katie is a photographer that’s putting Queensland at the forefront of her feed sharing a bevy of campaign worthy shots.
INSTAGRAM: @mycolourfulworld_
Sari-Ella Thaiday 16.5k
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creator belonging to the Darnley, Saibai and Yidinji people, Sari-Ella has over 200k followers on TikTok.
She's know for her creative makeup, insights into her culture, and her activism, particularly against racism.
This woman is not afraid to call it how she sees it.
INSTAGRAM: @sarithaiday
Christian Miller 106k
Christian originates from Germany but has for now at least made FNQ his home.
Heavily involved in marine conservation, he played a significant role in raising funds for the local Turtle hospital and documenting the magnificent creatures.
He recently took Zac Efron and his brother diving at the reef, as part of Netflix's Down to Earth series.
INSTAGRAM: @christian_miller_photo
Dr Kylie Anderson 10k
A fitness fanatic, Kylie doesn’t sleep and is always training for something.
Along with having a PhD in Tropical Ecology, she also runs FOHER co, an endurance sport apparel brand that perfectly suits her lifestyle.
INSTAGRAM: @hellofredbird
FoodVixen 6k
This anonymous food blogger can make a Cairns eatery.
These days, she reveals only the best of the best meals she's had and leaves her followers drooling for more.
If you’re looking for a little guidance on where to go then look her up.
INSTAGRAM: @food_vixen
Lexie Shay 7k
Lexie recently opened up her own salon, Vault 91, and appears to be the busiest hair artist around town. If you haven't caught a glimpse of her creations yet, you're missing out.
A notable go to for a few local celebrities with a nationally recognised reputation, she's unfortunately all booked up and not accepting new clients.
INSTAGRAM: @thelexieshay
Nick Holloway 4k
Head Chef and Co-founder at Nu Nu Restaurant in Palm Cove, Nick is a character as colourful as they come.
His menus are a reflection of his personality, always standing out from the crowd.
Oh, and appearances on Masterchef have only added to his celebrity chef status.
INSTAGRAM: @nickoholloway
Cass Olholm 367k
Cass is a trainer and businesswoman who’s made a living in the fitness and health industry and happens to be a trainer for Kayla Itsines Sweat program
She is a co-founder of The Ground Australia, a fitness facility specialising in group HIIT, and is expecting a new addition to her family.
INSTAGRAM: @cassolholm
Grant 'Scooter' Patterson 5k
Gaining his nickname as a result of his main mode of transport, you've likely seen Scooter around town being the local legend that he is.
He has recently become internationally known for his sportsmanship and paralympic success, and you can learn more about his inspiring approach to life online.
INSTAGRAM: @grantscooter.patterson
Jo Whitton 80.4k
Jo is a Quirky Cook catering to all sorts of diets and lifestyles.
She’s amassed a following sharing a mix of content including her very own food and recipes, family life, and work - she’s got a lot going on!
INSTAGRAM: @jowhitton
Tracey Hannah 87.6k
Tracey is a pro downhill mountain biker who recently scored some local wins at Crankworx Cairns and has absolutely smashed it overseas too.
She's casually been an absolute beast having held the world number 1 ranking, and won countless international titles.
INSTAGRAM: @littletrace13
Ryan Moody 16.9k
Living life by the motto More Fish in Less Time, Ryan's become a go to fishing guide in these tropical waters.
INSTAGRAM: @ryan_moody_fishing
Sera Steves 55k
Sera has made her way over from Texas, bringing with her a big personality, wealth of knowledge, and a passion for all things zoology.
She is a wildlife advocate and regularly works with local conservation groups.
INSTAGRAM: @sera_loves_crocs
Drew Brauer 68k
Although he's been making music for a while now, you may recognise him from some reality show that we shall not mention.
Since then, DrewBoy has gone on to become somewhat of a local personality and entrepreneur.
He has co-founded supplement brand Allgood Nutrition, and started the Kick On charity that promotes mental health and wellbeing through events and education programs.
You can also occasionally catch him playing his tunes around town.
INSTAGRAM: @drewboymusic
