In 1947 Cairns had a population of just 16,000, but it grew rapidly through the 1950s and 1960s, fuelled by a booming sugar industry. The tourist floodgates opened in 1984 when the airport was built, and Cairns has never looked back.

Tourists continue to flock to Cairns. Its status as an international and
domestic player in both tourism and business
is firmly entrenched. In 2003 Cairns'
foreshore was completely revamped. Cairns Port Authority and Cairns City Council created a 'New
Cairns' with a multi-million project.
With the Pier Marketplace at its heart,
the surrounding mudflats were replaced
with a glorious swimming lagoon, thick
grassy parkland and a boardwalk.
The port's marinas were substantially upgraded
and the glossy Reef Fleet terminal
is now the main departure point for tours
to the Reef and islands off Cairns. There's
also a five-year plan to upgrade Cairns' airport to an international standard. Groaning under
the weight of tourism, Cairns now has the
infrastructure to support the industry.