Cairns Esplanade, Cairns, Queensland © Andrew Watson, Tourism and Events Queensland Jump aboard one of the direct flights from Hamilton Island to Cairns, the holiday hub of Queensland's tropical north. Spend the afternoon exploring the city centre on foot – don’t miss the latest travelling exhibition at the Cairns Regional Gallery – and stroll the Esplanade and enjoy a dip in the free swimming lagoon in the waterfront park, or join the locals strolling though the tropical wonderland of the Cairns Botanic Gardens, and if you're up for a good workout, follow the Red Arrow Walk up to the top of Mt Whitfield for great views of the city and Trinity Inlet below.