CITY’S HEART
ESPLANADE LAGOON MARKS 15 YEARS
THE development of the Cairns Esplanade 15 years ago has given the city a central meeting place for residents and tourists alike.
When the Cairns City foreshore was reopened on March 29, 2003, it provided a focal point for the city and became the first stop for many visitors.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Pip Close said the Esplanade Lagoon and its fish sculptures were an iconic symbol of Cairns.
“They feature in many tourism marketing materials and in social media posts by visitors,” she said.
“The Lagoon adds another social dimension to the heart of the city, giving visitors and locals somewhere to relax and cool down.”
Ms Close said the public space was an essential meeting place for people from all walks of life.
“The Lagoon was built with visitors in mind, but it is an important leisure facility for locals too,” she said.
“It epitomises our laid-back tropical lifestyle, which is es- pecially embraced by international visitors from fast-paced cities and colder climates.”
Oasis Kebab and Pizza owner Kellee Martorella said owning a business on the iconic beachside strip gave her a varied mix of customers.
“We have regulars who come here every week, that’s probably about 60 per cent of our customers, and then 40 per cent are backpackers,” she said.
“It’s beautiful here, and you get so many customers from so many places because the taxi drivers bring them right here from the airport.”
She said her hope for the future of the Esplanade was a change in parking so customers could more easily access both the promenade and the cafes.
“Sometimes getting to the Esplanade can be a hassle for people living in the Northern Beaches,” she said.