The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a railway that links Cairns with the town of Kuranda. The line was completed in 1891. Many lives were lost during the construction of numerous tunnels and bridges. The first use as a tourist train from Cairns to Kuranda was in 1936, and it contained four long seating carriages. Each carriage is fitted with three LCD televisions to provide passengers with detailed information on the history of the Kuranda railway. The tropical gardens Kuranda rail station is a well-known attraction in the area. Downhill, the line cuts through the Barron Gorge National Park. The tourist train stops at a lookout, which has a sweeping view of Barron Falls. A number of smaller waterfalls are seen as you travel by, including Stony Creek Falls, just yards from the train. A commentary plays as you take your journey on this historic railway line.

In 1956, Cairns was a host city to the start of the 1956 Olympic Torch Relay. A club was created for the 1956 runners, by the Torchbearers Club Inc. Today, the granite monument commemorates this Torch Relay Run, which symbolizes an important moment in the area's international history.

Cairns Sailors and Soldiers Memorial is a statue of an infantry soldier standing on a high clock tower, and looking out to sea. The monument is 41 feet high and it once served as a clock tower. Until 1972, it was located at the intersection of Abbott and Shields Streets. Today, it can be found on the Esplanade, but with the clock missing. The clock dials have been painted to show the time as 4:28 am, the time when ANZAC troops landed at Gallipoli. The names of the locals fallen in World War I are listed on a marble plaque.

The Catalina Flying Boat Memorial in Cairns is dedicated to Squadron 11–20, which was based in Cairns during the Second World War. It commemorates the 320 airmen who failed to return from their mission. The memorial represents the exceptional bravery of veterans, their love for their country, and their willingness to defend it. At the front of the monument there is a Plaque, where you can find more information.

The RAAF Memorial is one of the few war monuments located on the Esplanade. It consists of a stone boulder supported by a concrete platform. The memorial is dedicated to the members of the Royal Australian Air Force, which was formed on the 31st of March, 1921. It is also a reminder of the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the RAAF and conflicts, such as WWII,
the Malayan Emergency, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War.

In 1770, the tropical city of Cairns was visited by the British explorer, Captain James Cook. A street was named after him and a statue was built. Captain Cook's statue is an important item of the local history of Cairns. The concrete statue, built in 1973 is owned by a person who plans to transform the 32 foot statue into the statue of America's first president, George Washington. During its history, the statue has been painted many times and in a variety of different colors.

According to records, Cominos House was built in 1877 on the corner of Abbott and Florence Streets. In 1988 it was relocated to Greenslopes Street. It is considered to be a typical Queenslander -- a building which represents the local history, and it's cherished by the authorities and residents of the area. The House is surrounded by a beautiful garden, designed according to the European style of those times. Shrubs and huge mango trees decorate the front entrance while native indigenous plants are also part of the garden, which is a monument to nature well worth seeing.

Cairns Flecker Botanical Gardens are a must see when visiting Cairns. The huge variety of tropical plant species attracts locals and foreign visitors alike. The entrance is free, so you may visit from 7:30 am until 5:30 pm, and look at the gorgeous orchids, heliconias, and gingers. There is an information center and a book shop, where visitors can find maps and self-guided tour/informational books.