Key Industries

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef attracts thousands of thought leaders, innovators and high achievers who influence and inspire colleagues across a range of diverse industries. The diversity of the surrounding natural environment frequently attracts the attention of a range of various professions.

Agriculture

Tropical fruits, sugar, coffee, fishing, grass-fed beef, free-range pork and dairy have long been part of the agriculture industry in Tropical North Queensland, while new exotic crops include cacao and vanilla. Food processing is also innovating with banana flour the newest food product in a region producing smoked meats, charcuterie, and award-winning spirits.

 

Tourism

Tourism management and training in environmentally sensitive areas is an area of expertise in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef. Innovative programs like the Savannah Guides and the Master Reef Guides provide focused training for guide interpretation in our World Heritage areas. Tour operators also assist in managing the environment they work in with scientific monitoring and by assisting in research.

 

Marine Services

Cairns has a thriving marine precinct, including three shipyards as well as HMAS Cairns naval base and Defence contractors. In addition to servicing the needs of defence, Cairns is home to a large and diverse marine sector that includes a world-renowned tourism reef fleet, commercial fishing and shipping and plays host to superyachts and cruise ships.

 

Renewable Energy

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef have abundant renewable energy resources such as solar, wind and biomass. As a result of this resource the region has over 100 businesses operating in the renewable energy sector. The renewable energy industry includes household, commercial and industrial, and utility-scale project expertise.

Education and Training

From primary to tertiary, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef is perfectly positioned for education. The region boasts world-class facilities including James Cook University, ranked in the world’s top 4% of tertiary institutions, Central Queensland University, Great Barrier Reef International Marine College and TAFE North. Apprenticeships, traineeships, industry-based training and courses for domestic and international students cover a wide range of topics and areas of expertise.

Aviation

Aviation is an emerging sector for the region due to its strategic location in Asia Pacific and excellent infrastructure. Several international and national companies have major service centres in Cairns including Jet Aviation, who are an official Bombardier service centre and have the largest avionics workshop in the southern hemisphere, and UK owned Cobham Aviation Services. Cairns Aviation Skills Centre and CQUniversity Aviation Campus are both located at Cairns Airport, delivering vocational and Bachelor Qualifications.

Tropical Health and Life Sciences

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef is the ideal location for tropical forest science, biopharmaceuticals, tropical health, tropical foods, and natural resource management. James Cook University, home of the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, the Australian Tropical Forest Institute and the Australian Tropical Herbarium, conducts internationally acclaimed research encompassing public health, bimolecular, clinical, and translational health systems. Research is conducted across several James Cook University centres exploring key areas including tropical infectious diseases, health security and biosecurity, chronic disorders with high prevalence in the tropics, genetic diseases and health services in regional and remote communities.

Swapping snow for sand and rocking boardies around a palm fringed Christmas tree A T Wishing you all a very sunny Christmas from the tropics #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #seeaustralia #thisisqueensland 

[ID: Split screen featuring the same dance to a Christmas song. One side shows a single person dancing on a beach, while the other shows two people dancing in front of a crocodile exhibit.]
Who needs snow when you have got sunshine, snorkels and Christmas rashies? 🌊☀️ This is how we do the holidays in #exploreTNQ. #GBR adventures with a side of festive cheer. Santa might need fins to keep up. 🐠🎅

Check out the hottest summer deals here ☝ (link in bio ➡️ deals) 

📸: @reef_unlimited 

ID: Two snorkellers wearing festive Christmas rash vests prepare to enter clear blue water near the boat named “Dreamtime Snorkel”. The split-level photo shows their fins underwater and the boat in the background under a bright blue sky.
🌿 Let us show you some of nature’s greatest hits… buckle in, it’s a wild ride. 🌊

In order of appearance:
Yule Point, Port Douglas 🌅
Cannabulen Falls 💦
Kalaphine Rock (Lamb’s Head) 🏞️
Babinda Falls 🌊
Mossman Bluff ⛰️

🎥: @evjocks 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
@queensland 
@australia 

ID: A video showing locations in Tropical North Queensland. Mangroves at Yule Point, Port Douglas during sunrise, the flowing waters of Cannabulen Falls surrounded by rainforest, the peak of Kalaphine Rock (Lamb’s Head) above the trees, Babinda Falls rushing through a rocky gorge and the cliffs of Mossman Bluff with rainforest in the background.
🪸🐠 Experience the biggest plate coral on North Opal Reef with our Master Reef Guides on @wavelengthreefcruises 

Like all @masterreefguides we believe sharing wonders like this on the Great Barrier Reef is a great honour! 🩵

#explorecairnsgbr #exploretnq #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia 

🎥 @tahnmiller 

[ID: Master Reef Guide snorkelling in between large plate coral on the Great Barrier Reef]
From reef to runway, @cairnsfashionweek has landed in the heart of the tropics 🪸👠

Six days of cutting-edge fashion, set against the stunning backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef, where breathtaking landscapes and bold styles collide. See you on the catwalk! Book your tickets now – Ends Sunday!

#ExploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR  #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia

[ID: Behind-the-scenes footage of Cairns Fashion Week, featuring interviews with models and designers, alongside runway highlights.]