Cairns

Explore Courses at CQUniversity Cairns

Our connections with community

The Cairns campus has strong links to both community and industry and is committed to playing a pivotal role in the economic and social development of the Cairns region through its partnerships and research capacity. Some of these connections include the CQUniversity Cairns Taipans, a community partnership that spans more than 9 years and is a valuable component of our community engagement. CQU Cairns continues to support local organisations and initiatives such as the Business Liaison Association, Cairns Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ), Advance Cairns, Study Cairns and Regional Development Australia (RDA). To find out more about CQU Cairns’ community and industry partnerships, visit our Engage with Cairns page.

With significant local research capability in built environment, renewable energies, automation and smart grid, artificial intelligence, internet of things, health and mental health, psychological science, education, sport and exercise science and digital media/arts technologies, CQUniversity Cairns makes a great partner for local industries to thrive through connection to new knowledge and commercialization potential.

Facilities

The CQU Cairns campus melds state-of-the-art technology with fresh and contemporary interiors to create innovative and positive learning facilities.

Facilities include:

• Nursing and engineering labs on the main campus.
• Exercise and Sport Science lab (offsite)
• Aviation Centre with state of the art simulators (Cairns Airport)
• Paramedic Science facilities, located at CQU Aviation Centre (Cairns Airport)
• Engineering lab (offsite)
• Creative and performing arts studios including recording studios, production facility, film studio, digital media editing suite and professional rehearsal studio
• PC and Mac labs
• Student facilities including student kitchen, social and recreational spaces, printing equipment, designated quiet study spaces, meeting rooms with conferencing capabilities for group work
• Reserve library collection and library services
• A multi-faith room

About Cairns

Cairns is a global, coastal city located in tropical North Queensland and is the economic hub for the Cairns region. Nestled between two world heritage icons, the Wet Tropics Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Cairns is a unique environment renowned nationally and internationally as a premier tourist destination. With a population of approx. 155,000 persons (as at February 2022) from across more than 47 nations, Cairns is one of Australia’s most vibrant multicultural cities.

With an international airport, Cairns city is connected domestically and globally making it an attractive study destination for both domestic and international students alike. Boasting world-class food, affordable accommodation and a diverse cultural scene, Cairns attracts more than 2.7 million domestic and international holiday-makers each year.

Cairns has an eclectic art and cultural scene. The region is brought to life with a host of festivals, events and experiences. These include Chinese New Year celebrations, the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival, Ironman Asia-Pacific Championships, Cairns Festival, Cairns Amateurs and the Cairns Tennis International. CQU Cairns is a proud sponsor of the Understory Film Festival – a short film festival for FNQ filmmakers. Weekend markets present a celebration of the senses with colour, fashion, arts, crafts, textiles and tasty tropical fruits and homemade treats. Each year Cairns is host to a talented line-up of local and touring live performances to further enhance the vibrant arts and cultural scene.

Cairns acts as a gateway to the nearby Atherton Tablelands, Daintree and Wet Tropics rainforest, and the outback Savannah region beyond the Great Dividing Range. Our environment encourages outdoor activities and adventure, and Cairns’ boasts a plethora of outdoor experiences through its sporting clubs and facilities, extensive cycleways, botanical gardens and parklands, tropical beaches, rainforest walking trails, hiking trails and waterfalls.

Local history and heritage are important aspects of any community and the Cairns region has a rich and diverse history. Cairns is the traditional homeland of the Yirrganydji people – an indigenous rainforest and coastal culture belonging to the Djabugay language group of Far North Queensland. The Yirrganydji territory comprised of the coastal strip of land between the areas now known as Cairns and Port Douglas. There are many opportunities to embrace our unique tropical culture through art exhibitions at the Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns Regional Gallery and Bulmba-ja or through historic artefacts and stories told through the Cairns Museum.