Milestone for innovative retail hub
HAVING stood the test of time, the Cairns Night Markets & Food Court is celebrating being a part of the Cairns retail and tourism sector for more than 20 years.
Centrally located on the Cairns Esplanade, the wellknown hub of retail shopping and quality dining outlets has grown from its humble beginnings into a bustling, contemporary market, catering to visitors and locals alike with a variety of goods, food and entertainment.
The Night Market, as it was first called, began as a temporary idea in 1991, when local tourism operators Hayden Redfern and Elise Warring noticed an increasing demand from the region’s visitors to purchase locally-made goods.
They set about creating an open-air market venue in the city, drawing inspiration from similar international markets in Hawaii and South East Asia.
The market, much like it is today, was a place where local stallholders could share their unique products and provide souvenirs for Cairns’ growing tourist market.
It was also the first “night markets” in Australia.
With a temporary six-month lease taken out on the space between Abbott St and The Esplanade where they still stand today, the Night Market readied 28 stallholders to be involved.
However, the market was unexpectedly popular, and before the six months were up, more than 100 retailers had applied to be involved.
With this demand, the markets were able to secure a permanent sitting and regular full-time stallholders, cementing the Night Market’s position as an iconic Cairns attraction.
In 1996, the Night Market received a considerable facelift with the construction of the $30 million Royal Harbour all-suite project at its Esplanade site.
The project included a ground floor comprising of purpose-built market stalls and retail outlets, which still occupy the site today.
With the completion of the development in 1997, the Cairns Night Markets & Food Court, as we know it today, was launched.
In the 21 years since, the Cairns Night Markets & Food Court has become one of the CBD’s premier commercial complexes – a diverse entertainment and shopping venue that offers space to 131 businesses and attracts between 2.5 and 2.7 million visitors annually.
Mark Stanley has owned management rights to the complex for 10 years and says the milestone demonstrates how the concept of trading just at night works for the retail traders.
“Many have been with us since the current site was opened in 1998 and, prior to that, these same retailers were on the old site when there was gravel and marquees,” he says.
“People know of the Cairns Night Markets because we’ve been here for so long. To some we are a regular part of their night out on the town.”
Whatever you are into, the Cairns Night Markets is sure to have something that grabs your attention.
Opals, pearls, silver, clothing, massage oils, t-shirts, arts, crafts, Aussie food products, plenty of souvenirs and unique gifts, just to name a few.
Featuring cuisine from all over the world, take your pick from Chinese, Italian, Vietnamese, Thai and more at one of the food outlets, followed by a coffee in one of the cafés or a sweet treat from the ice creamery.
The Cairns Night Markets & Food Court is located at 71-75 The Esplanade, Cairns City. The food court is open from 10am, massage and beauty services from noon and all other shopping from 5pm-late, seven days a week.