Description & Facts: Cairns (pronounced /ˈkeːnz/ or /ˈkɛɹnz/, 16°57′S 145°45′E) is a regional city and Local Government Area located in Queensland, Australia. However, Cairns' future was secured as it developed into a railhead and major port for the exportation of sugar cane, gold, precious metals and agricultural industries from the surrounding coastal and Tableland regions. The city is rapidly expanding, with a population of 128284 (ABS 23/2/2006), and is reliant on the sugar and tourism industries. The City of Cairns lies about 1720 km (1069 miles) from Brisbane and about 2500 km (1553 miles) from Sydney by road. Cairns is a popular travel destination for foreign tourists because of its tropical climate and proximity to many attractions. The Great Barrier Reef is only one-and-a-half hours away by boat. The Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation, about 130km north of Cairns, are popular areas for experiencing a tropical rainforest. The city has used its natural surrounds to its advantage with the construction of several small theme parks for tourists. Among them are the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and the Kuranda Skyrail Gondola Cableway, which extends for 7.5 kilometres over World Heritage rainforest. en.wikipedia.org