Cairns has enjoyed a rather difficult growth since the Queensland Government founded the site in 1876 and named it after the Governor at that time William Cairns. Cairns was not settled until the onset of the gold rush era when gold was discovered in The Palmer River. Cooktown was the original choice for a settlement. However a handsome 300 pounds was offered to anyone able to cut a track toTrinity Bay which promised a more direct route to the coast and needless to say this was quickly accomplished. With the opening of the Government Customs Office the town was quickly established.
Many stories add flavour to the early years.
It is recorded that there is a solid gold chamber pot buried in the nearby Barron River fashioned from the nuggetts used as currency payment for the favours of Palmer Kate. It was lost when a flood destroyed her brothel at nearby smithfield. There are many wonderful adventures awaiting the visitor. The Pearl in the Australian Oyster North of Cairns is the Daintree. This is an extensive area of beautiful rainforest some 1200 sq klms in size and boundaried by the ocean.