Life In Australia: Cairns

From the Film Australia Collection. Made by The Commonwealth Film Unit 1964. A small city in the tropical north of Queensland, Cairns boasts a life that is leisurely and comfortable. The tempo quickens, however, at cane-cutting time when the sugar is harvested, and in winter when tourists come north to escape the cold. The Life In Australia series portrays Australian cities and rural centres as happy, lively places where good homes, abundant jobs, schools, hospitals and amenities provide the foundation for a relaxed lifestyle where sport, shopping, religion and even art combine to create a homogenous and prosperous society. If you have any information about the people or places in this film we would love to hear your comments.

[@barbararees604]

I was born the year this was made, in Cairns and thankfully, it remained the same for my younger days. That was my Dad in the theatre, leaning on the fireplace.💓

[@rockstar78970]

I love Australia so much, such a wonderful country to live in! This was truly paradise on earth in the 60s! Greetings from Croatia!

[@doncoleman4938]

I lived in Cairns (Grafton St, Lake St and Digger St.) in the late '70s. Cairns then with about 35,000 people wasn't that much different to how it is in this film. This brought back so many memories. The Cairns Base Hospital was the only tall building in Cairns, Raintrees was being built and there was nothing really between Woree and Edmonton. Everybody naturally shopped in the retail area. There was a water park built in Lake Street I think in about 1979-80. Even in the 70s you leave your car or house unlocked and know it was safe. Just about everybody owned either a Kingswood or Falcon. I used to ride my bike to the airport and spend hours watching the Ansett and TAA planes come and go. My alarm clock to wake up was actually the Cairns Brewery whistle and the two jets (one TAA, other Ansett) that took off 5 minutes apart at around 7 a.m. Only the wealthy flew, for everybody else it was Greyhound or the Sunlander. For those wondering about the lack of Aboriginals in the streets in the film. That was commonplace. There was a boarding school in Grafton St. (name escapes me) where children from TI and Aboriginals would come and get an education. Many didn't even speak English, but seeing Aboriginals mingling with the white folk was rare. The Chinese who lived there had families who'd been there since the gold rush days and when the Chinese Josh house at Innisfail was built. .A big hello to those who went to Cairns High in the late 70s.

[@weetbixkid2051]

You probably went to school with my older siblings lol born and raised in Cairns too but late 80's thru the 90's. I miss how Cairns used to be in those days. Now I'm afraid to go back lol

[@tefllife2024]

I've lived here on and off since 1997. Cairns is the best weather and relaxed lifestyle compared to down south.

[@serendigity]

I just made a similar comment. Such a shame the city was robbed of its charm by the Japanese led tourism invasion in the mid 1980s.

[@arielknorr4652]

I live in Cairns

[@arielknorr4652]

@@weetbixkid2051 it has changed alot but some places still look olden

[@vikkiblyth9661]

I am using this in my Geography class to show the growth (urbanisation) of Cairns over the years. The kids love it, especially when they see places they know and love.

[@NFSAFilms]

Hi Vikki Great, thanks for letting us know.

[@stache297]

It’s crazy to think that nearly 60 years later Cairns has grown 6 times the population of what it was then 1964: 25,000 (the population of Gympie now) 2023: 150,000+ (the population of Wollongong back then)

[@The.Drunk-Koala]

06:10 amazing that all that vacant land is now a city.

[@Burrito700]

I just love how people looked so well-dressed and neat

[@patriot8554]

I agree... unlike how people dress today... they look like farm yard animals. The conservative era was the best period in Australia.. 40s 50s 60s .... after the 60s leftism gradually destroyed everything. Now Australia has no culture, or identity of it's own. Thanks to leftist globalists who hate white western civilization based on envy, resentment, and hatred.

[@sku6690]

🤭🤭🤭🤭Now a days the people are so poor with their money and education to buy some good clothing. 🤭🤭🤭🤭

[@patriot8554]

@@sku6690 No, they aren't poor when it comes to money ( Australia known as the welfare country !!!! Go to somewhere like Ukraine or Moldova.. . That's poor) .... In Australia they are poor in standards, and moral values. Take away Christian values and the fabric of society goes into chaos. Just visit a central city Emergency department for example to see the real truth of how Australian society really is morally..

[@sku6690]

@@patriot8554 Very True

[@benjaamin8]

I feel like we were more civilized 60 years ago than we are today.

[@tyedubbins2444]

Born in Cairns 1982, I love the stories and memories of my father and mother of their lives in Cairns. Great short documentary

[@celsolino5021]

I love this kind of documentary.

[@stevenpam]

It's a promotional film, not a documentary

[@correnlarsen1786]

I LIVE IN CAIRNS... 2022 WHOO... THANK-YOU... LOVE THIS ESPLANADE STILL THERE 🌞🏖🌞 WAY.. DIFFERENT... WAY 🏖

[@dougrogan379]

They didn't even need to lock the car. what a time.wish I had a time machine

[@NFSAFilms]

Hi Doug, You have got a time machine. It's called the NFSA KZbin channel and we're taking you back in time. Welcome aboard.

[@gamerjj6208]

+NFSA Films do you have the full video at 15:06 with the tractors

[@56bluegold]

I think the 60s and 70s, was so much better !

[@Mikathedog100]

Admittedly I live in Brisbane city and haven't locked our car parked on the street in years..

[@restoblast1387]

They most certainly do now !

[@JB-re6lx]

I love this! We went on a family holiday there in 1966, on the Sunlander. I just relived it, thanks to this film. Many thanks for posting.

[@sarebear483]

Gotta love the kids riding their bikes without helmets, and the dad not wearing steel cap boots to work.

[@jasontempest4233]

Wow, Rockman's is still in the same place as it is today. Sometimes we need foundations, we need grounding and reflect on our history in order to face the new. It's good to see how life was more than 50 years ago. I love this town.

[@bilgolabands]

What a wonderful window into a wonderful period in Australia's development. Do I want to go back?. Look at the obscene language used in some of the reviews just to feel important. Go back...too right I do.

[@nibbagay4301]

Cairns is so shit

[@stephengordon9956]

@@nibbagay4301 move away, Siberia is nice this time of year.

[@ronburns6920]

Now three years later. I'm like quick someone invent a time machine let's go back

[@anthonywalsh785]

some wonderful footage of cairns way back in 1964. i was born in melbourne in 1949 but moved to cairns in 1987 and have lived at lake placid/caravonica ever since. a great place to live indeed.

[@ajmalshahtravelling7088]

old is gold

[@TheHogart]

I worked as a Mechanic at Irelands Holden in 1988, they were the only dealership I have ever worked at where White Overalls where used.... back then too.

[@DavidJones-pv8zu]

As usual, all the critics didn't live in Cairns then. (and think / imagine; not KNOW.) I was born in Cairns in 1963. (My Grandfather moved from Irvinebank to Cairns in 1918.) We bought our fruit from the Yin Foos, played Footy and Cricket with the Joinbees, Cockatoos and Addos, Mick Miller was my teacher & his daughters my classmates, Ronnie Tong gave me my first job etc etc. BTW- that's not the Kuranda road - it's the road to Copperlode Dam road interspersed with a bit of the Gillies back of Gordonvale. Poetic licence I s'pose.

[@stewb9044]

parties will do that

[@gubourn]

David Jones where are all the bloody trees on copperlode

[@gjmob]

Thats exactly what I thought, Lake Morris Drive. A lot of the area was heavily deforested in the film. Even Double Island at the end looked like it was just barren rocks.

[@zak2189]

interesting, i’m born in 95 and went to school with an Addo.

[@zak2189]

also thanks for the comment about that road, i grew up in Kuranda so so wondered if it was the range or the Lake Morris/ copperlode damn road. Cairns is beautiful but was much more so then with a lot of natural land still undeveloped. wish I could experience it

[@startrick7390]

Everyone who lives in cairns in the comments let’s just all meet up at like the bottom of the range or something?! 😂 so weird to think that we are all live around 20 minutes of each other!

[@mollyashley3609]

I live South of cairns,

[@onionerror4042]

StarTrick fuckin oath

[@Elguapo93]

Cairns is a shot hole nowadays.. full of aboriginals kickin your door in and stealing all your stuff.

[@startrick7390]

I retract this comment, I moved to Adelaide and deeply regret it 😩

[@bujubra2594]

@@startrick7390 Adelaide..

[@TheHogart]

"As in most parts of Australia, the weekend is devoted to drinking...."

[@darneyoung537]

Not all Australians drink it’s the bogans that spoil it for the rest of us

[@darneyoung537]

Their are good and nasty people everywhere , doesn’t matter where you go

[@fandangofandango2022]

Zero Stress There.

[@trinitymatrix9719]

omg, this is so beautiful. It looks like fairy tale to live there ❤❤🙏🙏

[@naomiquinlivan905]

I lived in Cairns through the 90’s/2000’s and I recognised so many old houses in this movie.

[@trudie8885]

I was born in Cairns, 1963 too. My father was a TV and hifi technician. Brings back memories seeing some of Cairns' iconic landmarks. I wish I could go back.

[@pfrench1660]

+trudie anne go back? nah dont do that. i left cause its the highest crime rate per capital in au plus 38 deg c in summer at 100% humidity.come to brissy...

[@trudie8885]

I moved up instead, Atherton Tablelands, cooler and greener. Hate the heat on the coast.:)

[@southwest3671]

Now Aussies, this is what life in Canada & USA looked like too in small towns. It was a different era with a different mentality.

[@gubourn]

I was born in beautiful Cairns, only decades too late

[@TheAxelay]

That's a kind of lifestyle that many Aussies (except for the rich/privileged now) in the 21st century will never ever know now. I had a little taste just a smiggin of it in the early to late 1980's then it all went to hell ever since...That's the Australia that I wish I could've lived my last 40+ in but alas no. Sometimes I've always felt like a stranger in my own country even tho I was born here sigh....So serene, peaceful and laid back......

[@QuarterMum3]

My parents are Mr & Mrs Kevin and Lynn Whyte from Cairns. I was born in the Cairns Hospital in 1971. I recognised so many places in the film!! My Dad worked for TAA at the time and I remember having Christmas Parties for TAA in the hanger! My Mum worked at Edge Hill Primary School for many years as a Teachers Assistant. We all live in Western Australia now. Mum and Dad will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next year (2012). They were married in Cairns 1962....

[@gregorymillett3476]

Did you have an older sister Tracey?

[@ramyp]

NFSA Thanks for the time machine, it is really great to see this movie

[@NFSAFilms]

You're welcome Ramy. If you want to watch it again it will be uploaded in 4K HD soon. Stay tuned.

[@ramyp]

NFSA Films sure I want to see it again and all another movie thank you again

[@NFSAFilms]

@@ramyp Thanks Ramy hopefully you have subscribed and will get an alert when we upload. Uploading Melbourne today.

[@ramyp]

NFSA Films, it is nice I will watch it today.

[@bronnyhall1986]

I've lived in Cairns for the past 8 years and it was interesting to see some of the buildings in this video that are still here today. The hospital is still on the Esplanade, most of the churches still exist, some of the shops and buildings remain. Sadly the Coral Drive-in is closed, the current owners failed to maintain it and the screen was pulled down last year I believe.

[@sonicat9]

Amazing. I grew up in Cairns and went to Saint Monicas high school, though the skirts were a bit shorter when I went. I wasn't born until 1978 so thanks for showing me what Cairns was like. Great job

[@davegoldspink5354]

Another brilliant film thanks for sharing. When this one was made I was a year old and lived with Mum and Dad in Innisfail. Most of Mum’s family here in Australia worked in the sugar industry in North Queensland while my dad was a carpenter.

[@tarnsand440]

There's an Innisfail Alberta Canada too! Halfway between Calgary and Edmonton( the capital) along the QE2 Highway. Cairns looks lovely in 1964!

[@brettwilkinson9529]

A beautiful time in history, simply lost forever.

[@judyc5201]

This was my growing up era. I so remember all of this. Dad was a spraypainter down the end of Sheridan St. Mum shopped every Thursday at A.L&S.

[@reoun1654]

People looked a wee leaner back then😁😁😁

[@todaywefly4370]

Reoun Yeah they all died of lung cancer and lead poisoning back then. Not diabetes and luekemia like today.

[@richardwitherow5289]

Because they hadn't bought into the "animal fat is bad for you" doctrine.

[@jimraq1]

Richard Witherow Or the sugar is bad for you routine either by the sound of it.

[@richardwitherow5289]

@@jimraq1 Yes, they're touting sugar as a wholesome "food" in this aren't they?

[@gjmob]

No Macca's or KFC. They were riding bicycles and not staring at their phones.

[@Esso387]

how wonderful, good old days

[@norbertschmitz3358]

Yep Could bash your wife and kids.....no worries!

[@CairnsCakeLady]

I really enjoyed watching this! Wow!

[@jonakumkee2260]

Love Cairns

[@PowerWheelsAustralia]

My Grandfather is Tony Taylor! Tony Madden. The house in the film was Tony's house. I have been told that my Grandma, Joan Nancy, wanted to be play Mrs Taylor but wasn't allowed! My Dad, Ray Madden, is the little boy with the white t-shirt on in the beach scene - 18.30. Thank you for uploading to youtube, I had planned to buy a copy. We treasure this film with Tony Taylor!!

[@NFSAFilms]

@mortein43 Yes a great reminder of times gone by. Glad you enjoyed it. If you would like a DVD please contact the Film Australia Collection Library at: [e-mail] Thanks keep watching.

[@gasparocelloman9852]

I was born in the Cairns Hospital in ‘73 and haven’t been back to Cairns since ‘89. I bet the place has changed a bit since then.

[@maxroman2010]

Interesting :) moving to Cairns soon. Excited about it.

[@danrobinson572]

How is it give update on the move?

[@hackedagain3421]

Just in time for the lock down and border closures? Nice huh 🙂👍

[@SixpenceInc]

Jumps in the car, no seatbelt. Kids racing in the boat, no life jackets. Simple life then. Love the drone footage NFSA. Hehe

[@NFSAFilms]

Thanks 👍

[@shiro-hu8eh]

Born and raised in Cairns, it’s a lot different now to what it was then.

[@gavster1961]

How simple life was then..when Australia belonged to Australians..havnt we gone down hill...now were in a society we had to have....where does it stop !

[@biggils8894]

Now it’s all New Zealand assholes !

[@todaywefly4370]

gavster1961 This was the era I grew up in. It was interesting to see the landscape as it used to be. Life had it's dramas back then too. Life now is just the result of overpopulation.. We need a plague to thin us out a bit.... Just not near us anywhere😄

[@pika7623]

Man, I bet the Aboriginals say the same too.

[@coreyw7672]

Simplelamb are you aboriginal? No? Then don't worry about what they think

[@pika7623]

@Corey The cockaroach...okay sorry.

[@eddieh58]

I grew up in the town when it was like this, my dad had a newsagency in the city. It was an really interesting childhood for me spending a lot of my free time helping dad, meeting interesting people and engaging in conversation. The town had a real spirit, shopping was real, people really cared. Time moves on and much of of the old is gone. However...some of our heritage lies within the buildings that are disguised with dilapidated facades. Let's push for town heritage laws that enforce the res

[@EddieHayes]

Don Casio... Hi Don, that's so funny, I think we all did that as boys😁

[@tarnsand440]

It's sad that nowadays too many people are too busy looking at their phones to really see appreciate the world around them.

[@pollybird7827]

I remember Cairns in the 90s a charming town but I remember a lot of French and German people visiting while I was there In the YHA loved it 🧡

[@christopherjwilliams5815]

thank you for curating, caring and sharing this film and the others in the series. Invaluable

[@NFSAFilms]

Thanks Christopher. We are in the process of re-publishing this series in 4K HD. They look great.

[@marinacatherineeditingserv8554]

@@NFSAFilms If you go to a Facebook page called - You know you grew up in Cairns when - you will find many people have connections to this film. It's been shared on there and on another page - You know you grew up or love the Atherton tablelands when - . Lots of commentary and interesting background given from the locals. You might find some of it useful.

[@danrobinson572]

NFSA Films it been a while since you posted a video. Love the ones back in the old times. Probably back in the mid or late 60s. The ones that went to different areas of Australia

[@Cairnslifestyle]

We absolutely love this video. When you see our reviews and look at how much Cairns has changed it is truly amazing to see how it once was. Thank you for sharing such an amazing blast from the past!

[@NFSAFilms]

Hi glad you enjoyed it. Yes these films do provide a snapshot of how these places looked and the lifestyles of some of the people living there. It's propaganda to be sure but interesting none-the-less.

[@Angelo32516]

Beautiful film, an excellente way of life!!!! The time should have stopped there!! Thanks for posting, a hug from Brazil!!!

[@henryg3146]

Love the drone footage

[@hackedagain3421]

😂👍

[@NFSAFilms]

Yes Johnson28316 National Film and Sound Archive. The Film Australia Collection became part of the NFSA in July 2011. The FA collection is made up of Government produced documentaries from the early 1900s on. The broader NFSA collection is vast and incorporates film, broadcast media, sound and artefacts. Lots to explore online so please click through some of the links on our FAC Channel page. Thanks for watching.

[@mazstar2001]

This is wonderful, the memories are great.

[@adammacmillan7771]

Lived there for the better part of 10 years until I left with my wife for Victoria about 5 years ago. Such a wonderful place to live, today as it was then. I miss the Far North so much.

[@ronburns6920]

How do you feel now being in Victoria

[@coldthrills5150]

@@ronburns6920 Dan Andrews has left him speechless

[@mkuc6951]

yuck, you moved to Melbourne. I went to to Cairns half way through this stupid covid fiasco and I loved Cairns so much. It felt like Australia from the 90's (im only 33). Melbourne is not a pleasant place anymore.

[@MARILYNNEWTONGIBB]

@@mkuc6951 THAT IS TOO BAD WHAT HAPPENED TO MELBOURNE?

[@KJMudge]

How I miss Cairns and the simple times before the Japanese brought it out what an awesome and beautiful place it was .

[@henryg3146]

@G W Fuck off. Thanks.

[@KMJ101VLOG]

This is a good video could learn something from here, thanks for sharing THIS.

[@dougfairweather]

Watched this a while ago, however, this seems a longer version. So many landmarks and names still exist. The town has definitely changed (I was the '70s vintage). Not so sleepy and slow anymore...

[@tomasford]

Really enjoying this series of films.

[@terencemanthorpe5522]

Wow, I lived in cairns as a ten pound pommy in 1970 for three years , went to paramount school then started working in a sawmill then A L & S supermarket and was in cairns Junior band : all this and only 14 years old

[@HealthActivist1]

Gosh - brings back memories!

[@PowerWheelsAustralia]

@FILMAUSTRALIA Thanks FILMAUSTRALIA....seeing 'Tony Taylor' again has made my day....:)

[@fordlandau]

Delightful.

[@retchbill2968]

Beautiful! Thank you so much for uploading this.

[@NFSAFilms]

Hi Maddison, thank you. This is an old upload. We will soon be uploading again in 4K HD if you're interested.

[@jayjay1184]

Picturesque! Like a perfect 50s/60s post card coming to life.

[@Aussiechick111The]

I always wanted to live up that way (actually Townsville, where some of my relatives live.) I have been to Cairns but only stayed there for the weekend. I remember going to forest like place and seeing lots and lots of spiders!

[@lcflcf1]

Very beautiful place, today there are lots of tourism options to see the great barrier reef

[@nickdryad]

Beautiful Beautiful Holden! The. Music is fine too.

[@miname72]

love how Cath hands Ken a durrie at the drive in lol

[@3edinburgh]

how charming it was, only visited the first time in the early 80s how changed it is now

[@WhiteCamry]

I was there in 2011. Light-years more touristy, I agree, but still a lovely place. Worth moving to, really.

[@mefistowers07]

So different from this time. Like old school life. I miss old life..much better than this day.

[@Ansett76]

wow, shop owners who sold quality fruit and vegand actually had pride in the appearance of the shop.....methinks current shop owners and corner stores in the CBD could learn a lot from this vid. Fantastic vid and thanks for posting! :)

[@tefllife2024]

They all look like unwashed hippies these days.

[@MrClone655]

I live here and i love it so much that if i eave anywhere else i get so homesick i love you cairns :) BTW HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE

[@adamrandall5163]

I love living here but would have struggled in the days before AC

[@mrporsche4236]

What a time the 60 s was now the whole world is a sci fi horror film

[@desiolle2874]

Lived there a while around 2000...great doof scene....hiya to ravers of the north

[@hosey8574]

I’d do anything to live in Queensland in the 60s

[@marcelscherzer8385]

Patrick No - Name only issue; no air con, I grew up in cairns in the early eighties. it was like living in hell during summer. still, it was pretty awesome to be able to leave everything unlocked and somehow there was a much better vibrant feel in the city.

[@annie6069]

@scoopentertainment Hi, I knew your Dad and your Grandfather. I am a friend of your Aunt Tricia and often played at her house. I loved the video and it was great to see 'Mr Madden' in it (and now that you pointed it out, Ray!) Ann Doherty

[@TruthInspector]

Nobody at that time felt the need to travel because they all lived in such beautiful places... People were content

[@1fat66]

Took a little detour up Lake Morris Road on the way to the cane field huh?

[@leooostveen4435]

F27 yes! first plane I flew on, Brisbane to Townsville

[@cheryla64]

I, also grew up in this time, recognise most of it and even my sister's boyfriend worked at Irelands!!!

[@THEMAYQUEEN1]

Awwe ♥ at the holden at 1:26 my dad had a green one just like that :)

[@VickieFarquhar]

Oh boy, do I miss the Cairns I used to live and work in. I moved to Gordonvale in self defence 20yrs ago. I'd love a copy of the DVD too.

[@mollyashley3609]

Oh cool I live in gordie

[@pjamajones8304]

The last scene at Ellis Beach, Spotted Double Island in the background... I planted a sprouting coconut many years ago...wonder if its still alive?

[@966Mako]

Commenters keep saying "not one black fella too be seen" They all must of missed the ones playing footy & the one that scored the try. There may not of been many, but saying there weren't ANY is incorrect.

[@donny234]

they were not classed as people for another 3 years

[@freddiefrog946]

Titus, I think people are saying that black fellas are not represented in the footage, which they are not. There was a rich and diverse selection of cultures in the 60's, not just whites. Everyone got along and looked out for each other, no matter what background.

[@rangykoo]

The fig tree in front of the hospital is still there,mar 2012

[@zak2189]

rangykoo and still there now April 2020, and will continue to be there for many more decades

[@jonh9561]

@@zak2189 Here, here!

[@PeaceConvergenceYouTubeVideoAu]

nice ports at 5-10-5.13 and you can see the old council chambers/library just before that from Abbott with the Ibis fig trees

[@claylennon2895]

Wow, 55 years ago When we where a prosperous Country. 1964 was the record breaking year for GM-Holden sold 257.000 EH Holden's in all configurations. This film is proof of how popular the Australian built Holden's where. Most of the cars in the film are Holden with all the early models are well represented. Loved it.

[@coreyw7672]

Clay Lennon now tell me about a real car- how many sales did ford have back then?

[@claylennon2895]

@@coreyw7672 47,039 units are not worth a mention more VW's than ford Falcon's in this film ✔🚗🚗🚓🥨🤡

[@coreyw7672]

@@claylennon2895 it goes to show that even back then people would still go quantity over quality...

[@grahamallen934]

Good Old Days 🍻

[@jayonefive234]

back then was like a story book

[@NFSAFilms]

@CairnsMum Great response any ideas are very welcome. Will be in touch about a DVD and get someone to contact you about what you know about the film. Thanks again. A cut down version of this film will be screening with a feature1 October 2011, 7pm Cairns, QLD Tickets: $10/ $8, ticket sales at gate, BYO picnic, gates open 6pm, movies start at 7pm Cairns Botanic Gardens, Cnr Collins Ave & MacDonnell St, Edge Hill, Cairns

[@sharonr7500]

Lovely memories of the town I grew up in, glad I am not there now. It used to be something special, sad to see what it turned into.

[@albertchehade9916]

Ahhhh, I live in Cairns - actually 'Minnie Street Cairns City 4870'. Currently I am working overseas but enjoy coming back home every now and then.

[@user-nk5xu5eb1d]

Me, Joan street, bungalow 4870

[@tefllife2024]

Me, Bungalow.

[@onionerror4042]

Albert Chehade my friend lives right next to ya lmfao

[@NFSAFilms]

@TheRocknoel Wow that's great if you are actually in the film - a blast from the past I bet. If you would like a DVD please contact the Film Australia Collection Library at: [e-mail] Glad you liked it please keep watching.

[@bigglesflysagain1749]

I went here in circa '54 with The Young Australia League.....took forever on the train from Sydney....had a grand time with 200 other lads !

[@NFSAFilms]

That would be a very long trip on a train now, let alone in 1954. But then again maybe our trains haven't changed much since then anyway. The Young Australia League?

[@bigglesflysagain1749]

Yep..YAL was a great experience for me....do a Yahoo search and read about it on WIKIPEDIA. If fading memory serves me, we took 3 days to get to Cairns, by steam, from Sydney ! We were stacked , 6 to a cabin, and we did not care one iota...clowning around ALL the way...a grand hoopla !!.....and we weren't old enough to drink...I can only imagine what it would have been like if we were !!!!!!!

[@jackfrost2146]

I went with the Young Australia League in '62. To me, it was like going to another planet! Awesome...

[@Elguapo93]

Used to live around the corner from the drive in theatre.. used to live in Bayview heights.

[@mattyo30]

great

[@sherylhokianga648]

I Was In Cairns When They Had The Cheap Accomadation Called The Peoples Palance!..Alot Has Changed Since Then!

[@tefllife2024]

I ran a shop in Oceana walk from 2002 to 2004, rent was dirt cheap, rented a townhouse in Edge Hill for only $75 a week. How times have changed.

[@dingodundee1212]

Really hasn't changed all that much. Definitely much more of a big smoke than a lazy large country town these days. Still best place to be.