Cairns Esplanade lagoon and boardwalk to receive $28 million upgrade

The Cairns waterfront will receive a $28 million upgrade after Cairns Regional Council approved a comprehensive redevelopment of the Esplanade lagoon precinct and boardwalk, funded through a combination of council capital works budget and a state government tourism activation grant.

The upgrade will expand the lagoon's capacity by extending the eastern end to increase swimming area by 40 per cent, address the persistent grass and sand degradation around the sunbathing areas, and replace the existing children's water play zone with a substantially larger and more varied facility suited to a wider age range.

The boardwalk will be extended by 800 metres to connect the lagoon precinct with the Reef Fleet Terminal at the southern end of the foreshore, creating a continuous walking and cycling path along the entire esplanade. New shade structures, lighting, and food vendor infrastructure will be installed along the extended boardwalk to support evening activation.

Mayor Terry James said the upgrade was essential to maintain Cairns's competitive position against tropical destinations in Queensland and internationally, noting that the lagoon was the city's single most-visited attraction with more than two million annual visits. "We have an extraordinary natural asset, but the infrastructure around it needs to keep pace with visitor expectations," he said.

Existing esplanade businesses including the Lagoon restaurant precinct and the markets operator have been briefed on the project and provided input on staging, with construction planned to avoid the peak tourism months of July and August.

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