Things to do in Cairns, Queensland: The Best Museums

Please call to make a reservation open by appointment. Samurai Gallery Australia is a private collection of Authentic Japanese Samurai Artefacts. Australia's only full time gallery dedicated to the Japanese crafts and arts of the Samurai. A must visit for anyone interested in history. Displaying Swords, Armor and Art of the ancient warrior class of Japan. View some of the oldest Samurai Swords in Australia, which date back several hundred years.Entrance Located right next door to the woolshed in the city place. OPEN Tuesday to Friday 11am to 3.30pm . Saturday 10.30am to 2.30pm. CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY. Group bookings and school groups by appointment. It is recommended to check before visiting the gallery as we are often away doing exhibitions .

Michael Seebeck is Australia's leading landscape, underwater and wildlife photographer. His Esplanade Gallery is the most unique and exciting gallery in Australia. Discover a selection of his stunning Limited Edition Prints, displayed on exciting media never seen before. Take a scenic tour of Australia, all in one location and purchase high quality prints and gifts. A must see when in Cairns!

Housed in a landmark heritage building the Cairns Art Gallery is the region's premier destination for exhibitions featuring historical and contemporary art by leading regional, national and international artists. The Gallery also presents exhibitions highlighting key works and themes from the permanent collection that focus on the unique cultural heritage of Far North Queensland. Throughout the year the Gallery presents a range of creative learning programs for audiences of diverse ages and backgrounds including art classes, talks and events that relate to exhibitions and the permanent collection.

The Cairns Museum tells the story of Cairns, right in the heart of the city. Housed in the award-winning School of Arts building, the Museum contains five galleries that showcase the history of Cairns, including Aboriginal Traditional Owners, sugar cane history, WW II, tourism development, local architecture and cyclones, as well as the inside story of living in the tropics - amongst crocs, toads, jellyfish and snakes! Our friendly local guides are on hand to assist and give you genuine advice on what to see and do in Cairns. The Museum also offers free wifi on its tropical verandah and has a range of unique merchandise for sale at reasonable prices.

KickArts Contemporary Arts is located in the Centre of Contemporary Arts in Cairns. KickArts programs a diverse range of exhibitions by local and national contemporary artists on a regular rotational basis including the best of Far North Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art with prints, paintings, ceramics and sculpture. KickArts Shop features the latest unique design products of distinction ranging from Fine Art Prints published in house to local handmade and bespoke gift items unavailable elsewhere: the perfect souvenir of your visit to Far north Queensland!

We are dedicated to the collection, preservation, restoration and display of Armoured Vehicles and Artillery from the 1800's to the present day. Our collection includes armoured vehicles and artillery from both world wars with a particular focus on WWII.

We specialise in local Aboriginal Rainforest Art as well as artwork from indigenous Central Australian artists. Aboriginal culture did not have a written language, instead their laws, stories and social behaviour was passed on in the form of song, dance and drawings.