Machans Beach Visitor Information
Machans Beach is a modest beachside community and is the closest beach to Cairns City. Travellers staying in Machans beach usually do so to escape the busy hustle and bustle and large number of tourists that flock to Cairns and many of the other northern beaches each year.
Because of staunch protests from the locals at Machans Beach tourist infrastructure such as hotels and resorts have remained at bay creating a tranquil and unspoilt hippie style beachside community which is pretty similar to the style of residents in the Village of Kuranda.
Machans beach locals describe themselves as "down to earth working class people" who appreciate the peacefulness and stunning natural beauty of the beach at their doorstep. The neighbourhood at Machans Beach has an eclectic and hippie feel with a unique community culture that sets it apart from other settlements around Cairns.
The locals at Machan's beach enjoy local salsa nights, mother and daughter nights, a fresh organic veggie patch which is a community project, a sports centre with floodlit tennis courts, a BMX Park, a children playground, a grassy sports fields and an annual Full Moon Party on the beach that involves the Machans Beach locals as well as inviting residents and tourists from other locations.
Machans Beach was actually one of the first beach settlements in Cairns and was surveyed in 1885. The land at Machans Beach was purchased by Richard and Christina Machan in the 1920s and from there, families begun living in simple beach shacks on the beachfront. Machans Beach grew rapidly in the 1960's after the war as many residents flocked to this beach which was labelled as convenient and friendly with a unique hippie bohemian feel. Today Machan's Beach has just over 1000 permanent residents and all the basic amenities such as a general store with petrol station, post office, a community town hall, a sports club, SES facilities, and lots more.
If you are planning your trip to Cairns Far North Queensland and want to stay in a quiet unassuming beach and blend in with the locals then Machans Beach could be the right place for you. Although no resorts or hotels exists on Machan's Beach there are small privately owned apartments and beachfront holiday houses available for short and long term rentals.
Although Machan's Beach over the years has been subjected to substantial erosion that has been rectified by a rock wall and the slow but gradual return of lost sand, there is still plenty of beach to enjoy and a lush grassy playfield by the beach that is great for playing sports, having picnics or spending time with the family.
Dining in Machans Beach
Machans Beach has one restaurant on the beachfront which has friendly service, a great choice of menu for all tastebuds, juicy steaks and quality food. This beachfront restaurant is open for dinner seven days a week and for breakfast and lunch on weekends. For more restaurants Cairns is only a short ten minute drive away and has restaurants, coffee shops, bistros, pubs and bars.
Shopping in Machans Beach
All your basic convenient needs are catered for in Machans Beach. There is a local convenience store where you can purchase groceries, newspapers and other items. Machans Beach also has a post office and a gas service station. For more shops, markets and shopping centres Cairns is only a short ten minute drive away from Machans Beach or catch the local Sun bus.
Machans Beach Tours and Attractions
The natural attractions of Machans beach is it beachfront location which is also surrounded by the Barron River which is ideal for the boaties, fishermen and fisherwomen. On Machans Beach you can throw a net in the water and catch fresh bait such as live prawns, pump for worms and lots of other wriglies for fishing. Put a Crab pot in the Barron River and see how big your catch is in the morning. There is a boat ramp in Christenson Street just beside the State School in Machans Beach which is also quite handy. Machans Beach is quite a calm shallow beach making it perfect for kayaking, catamarans and on high tides jet skiing and kite surfing.
While staying in Machans Beach you will be close to all the attractions of Cairns
A must see attraction is the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest that surrounds Cairns. Whether you view this wonder via the Sky Rail or Kuranda Scenic Rail, on a waterfall tour of the Atherton Tablelands or in the remote and primitive Cape Tribulation Daintree Rainforest it is something that cannot be missed out on! The Great Barrier Reef is the reason many people choose to visit Cairns and is a must see for all itineraries no matter how long you intend to visit. Whether you go on a half-day trip to Green Island, a full day scuba diving adventure on the outer barrier reef or a relaxed day of sun tanning on a sand cay- you must see the Great Barrier Reef at least once!
Wildlife attractions such as the Cairns Tropical Zoo, Hartley's Crocodile Farm and Rainforestation just to name a few are popular amongst travellers, especially families and are only a 15 minute drive from Machans Beach. The natural rivers that forge their way down the Great Dividing Range around Cairns create a playground for white water rafting and the cool morning skies are greeted daily by hot air balloons. Horse back riders can enjoy sunset or sunrise trail rides or guided tours in the outback, rainforest or on the beach and for the young at heart travellers there is plenty to do such as experience jumping out of a perfectly good aeroplane for sky-diving and jumping of a high tower with a bit of elastic band around your ankles which is called bungee jumping. There are way too many attractions and tours to list so for a comprehensive list of all the tours in and around Cairns see here. Just keep in mind tour operators do not pick up in Machans Beach so you will need to rent a car whilst holidaying in Machans Beach.
Climate in Machan's Beach
The climate in Machan's Beach is the same as Cairns with two distinct seasons: The Dry Season and The Green Season. The Dry Season is between May and December and is generally characterised by low humidity, low rainfall and temperatures ranging between 24 and 29 degrees Celsius. The Green Season is between January and April and is characterised by higher temperatures reaching a maximum of 32 degrees, more nightly rainfall and higher humidity although generally days are dry followed by spectacular thunderstorms in the evenings.
How to get to Machans Beach
Machans Beach is the closest beach suburb to the Cairns city airport. After exiting the airport road turn right instead of left which would take you right into Cairns then take a right turn at the first round-a-bout and drive straight into Machans Beach. You have arrived.
