Cairns - Australia

Cairns, with a population of approximately 160,000 is Australia's 14th largest city and the 5th largest in Queensland. While now predominately a "tourist town" it is classified as a regional centre and supplies many outlying districts.Cairns is located about 1,700 km (1,056 mi) from Brisbane, and about 2,420 km (1,504 mi) from Sydney by road. It is a popular travel destination for foreign tourists because of its tropical climate and proximity to many attractions. The Great Barrier Reef can be reached in less than an hour by boat. Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation, about 130 km (81 mi) north of Cairns, are popular areas for experiencing a tropical rainforest.