EXHIBITIONS: LIVING IN THE TROPICS

Explore the history of tropical life at the Cairns Museum. Family friendly, air-conditioned and free wi-fi.
Cats and Dogs – All at Sea
Temporary Exhibitions

Cats and Dogs – All at Sea

Cats and Dogs — All at Sea is a touring exhibition by the Australian National Maritime Museum that documents animals at sea and their seafaring lifestyle.

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Echo of the Past
Temporary Exhibitions

Echo of the Past

Historical photographs from Mission Beach, 1890s – 1950s. A Collaboration between us and the Mission Beach Historical Society. From 5 July to 2 November 2024.

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Kirrenderri
TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS

Kirrenderri

Kirrenderri is a visually striking and narrative rich exhibition chronicling stories from one of Australia’s most remote locations. From 15 March to 22 June.

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Still Life Comes Alive
TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS

Still Life Comes Alive

Experience Cairns’ rich history through contemporary still life art at Cairns Museum’s collaborative exhibit with Cairns Art Society. From 3 November 2023 to 9 March 2024.

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50 Treasures Revisited
TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS

50 Treasures Revisited

Explore the rich history of James Cook University through a selection of treasures, showcased in a captivating exhibition. From 24 June to 28 October 2023.

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Growing up in the Tropics
TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS

Growing up in the Tropics

Growing up in the tropics is a unique experience. We piece together four categories of children’s lives — playing, learning, getting around, and resilience in this exhibition. From 3 March to 17 June 2023.

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Beach Couture: A Haute Mess​
TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS

Beach Couture: A Haute Mess​

We don’t know what will remain of us centuries from now but one thing is certain: there will be plastic, lots of plastic. Beach Couture: A Haute Mess from 18 November 2022 to 23 February 2023.

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1 X 4
TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS

1 X 4

Museums use objects to tell stories – but which story and from whose perspective? Runs 23 July – 12 Nov 2022

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Sihot’e Nioge
TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS

Sihot’e Nioge

Independent curator Joan G Winter is a passionate advocate for the artists and art of the Omie people of Oro Province, Papua New Guinea

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Rediscovering Buk Ti
PREVIOUS EXHIBITIONS

Rediscovering Buk Ti

Curator Dr Sandi Robb had no idea what she was about to discover when the Ingham Family History Association asked for her advice on creating “a little display” ..

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Anzac Day WWI Tribute
ONLINE ONLY EXHIBITION

Anzac Day WWI Tribute

As an Anzac Day tribute we are displaying a small selection of WorldWar I photos from the Cairns Historical Society collection. Lest we forget.

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The Trouble with Parting
PREVIOUS EXHIBITION

The Trouble with Parting

Have you ever donated something to a museum?  Had it been in your family for ages and did you feel too guilty to throw it out?

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Percy Trezise
PREVIOUS EXHIBITION

Percy Trezise

‘Percy Trezise: the man who loved Cape York Peninsula’ examines the life and legacy of a man whose name was synonymous with Cape York Peninsula for over 30 years.

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Reef Productions
PREVIOUS EXHIBITION

Reef Productions

‘Reef Productions: migrants, makers and merchandise’ featured in the Cairns Museum’s Temporary Gallery from May to August, 2021

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A crew sitting on a boat posing for a photo with their ship dogs

Cats and Dogs – All at Sea

Cats and Dogs – All at Sea 8 Nov 2024 – 17 Mar 2025 Strathgarry crew 1910s. The captain’s terrier occupies a central place in this crew portrait on the Scottish steamer. The two
historical aerial image of clump point bay and surrounding land

Echo of the Past

Echo of the Past – Historical photographs fromMission Beach 1890s-1950s 5 July – 2 November 2024 Acknowledge Djiru Traditional Custodians We acknowledge the Djiru Traditional Custodians of Country around Mission Beach
Kirrenderri exhibition at Cairns Museum tile 15 March to 22 June

Kirrenderri

Kirrenderri, Heart of the Channel Country 15 MARCH – 22 june 2024 Featured image: A newly rediscovered ancient giant “Scorpious Stone Arrangement” in the remote desert of far western QLD,
person painting water colour art of a bicycle

Still Life Comes Alive

Still Life Comes Alive 3 november 2023 – 9 march 2024 The term still life describes a work of art that depicts objects from the natural or man-made world. A
Submarine sculpture inspired by crocodile

50 Treasures Revisited

50 Treasures Revisited 24 june – 28 october 2023 (Featured Image): The Investigator (maquette), 1994, by Anton Hasell JCU Library is fortunate to have collections of unique and rare resources
Image of

Growing up in the Tropics

Growing up in the Tropics 3 March – 17 June 2023 What are the most significant memories about growing up in the tropics? How do they differ from growing up
Beach Couture A Haute Mess

Beach Couture: A Haute Mess​

Beach Couture: A Haute Mess 18 November 2022 – 25 February 2023 Photos by Stephen Wong We don’t know what will remain of us centuries from now but one thing

1 X 4

1 X 4 one object / four stories Museums use objects to tell stories – but which story and from whose perspective? 1 x 4 was an exhibition first developed

Sihot’e Nioge

sihot’e niogewhen skirts become artworks Independent curator Joan G Winter is a passionate advocate for the artists and art of the Omie people of Oro Province, Papua New Guinea and

Rediscovering Buk Ti

rediscovering buk ticurating an award winning exhibition As I sat as guest at the annual Christmas party in late 2018 at the little pub at Lucinda overlooking Hinchinbrook Island, I
historical image of 5 Members of the Aquatic club who had enlisted

Anzac Day WWI Tribute

WORLD WAR I PHOTOGRAPHIC TRIBUTE VIRTUAL EXHIBITION Thank you to Pauline O’Keeffe who has put together this small collection of World War I images as a tribute to the ANZACs

The Trouble with Parting

THE TROUBLE WITH PARTING the objects we find hard to discard Have you ever donated something to a museum?  Had it been in your family for ages and did you
Percy pretty well buggered after a hard day's jog, Cape York 1973.

Percy Trezise

Percy Trezise The man who loved Cape York Peninsula The Museum’s newest exhibition examines the life and legacy of a man whose name was synonymous with Cape York Peninsula for

Reef Productions

Reef Productions Migrants, Makers and Merchandise This exhibition, that ran from May to August, 2021 in the Cairns Museum Temporary Exhibitions gallery, showcased the colourful, creative and original hand printed merchandise of