A Cairns Esplanade icon is celebrating 20 years of staying afloat

A key public project which transformed the Esplanade foreshore into the iconic tourist attraction it is today has celebrated its 20th birthday.

A key public project which transformed the Esplanade foreshore into the iconic tourist attraction it is today has celebrated its 20th birthday.

City councillors past and present gathered to celebrate the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon’s two decades on Tuesday morning.

Officially opened on March 29, 2003, the beloved city jewel is an enduring testament to what can be achieved when different levels of government work together, according to Cairns Mayor Bob Manning.

Former Cairns Mayor Kevin Byrne reflects on the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon project. Picture: Sandhya Ram

A cake was cut to commemorate 20 years of the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon on Tuesday morning. Picture: Sandhya Ram

He recalled discussions of making the facility pay-for-use back then, which ultimately did not come to fruition.

“I know at the time there was some resistance to this vision, but 20 years on, I don’t think you would find too many people who could argue about the value it has added to our city,” Cr Manning said.

“Credit needs to go to former Mayors Tom Pyne and Kevin Byrne and their respective councils for their foresight and vision in transforming the Cairns Esplanade into the iconic destination it is today.”

Brisbane residents Paul and Linda Casbolt have been visiting Cairns since their days living in Papua New Guinea, nearly 30 years ago. Picture: Sandhya Ram

Tamara Svarts and Michelle Fraser are visiting Cairns from Warwick and say the lagoon is "fabulous, clean and appealing” and “beautiful even when it is muddy”. Picture: Sandhya Ram

Former Mayor Kevin Byrne said the idea to integrate land and city elements was inspired by the American city of Boston and recalled the ideation meeting years ago at a seafood restaurant in Darling Harbour with a big sheet of paper and pencils over coffee and wine.

“This was the second big project that really internationalised Cairns, after the opening of Cairns International Airport,” he said.

Gordonvale residents Summer Rose Robinson, 7, and her big brother Brenton Robinson, 9, have visited the Lagoon often in the last couple of years. Picture: Sandhya Ram

Cr Byrne acknowledged the support from federal and state government, praised the ports authorities of the time and said “the drive to get the job done” would make him wake up with a spring in his step every morning.

As part of 20th birthday celebrations, Council will be holding a free family event at the Lagoon from 3pm to 9pm on Saturday, featuring free admission to the Reef Eye Ferris Wheel, live entertainment, children’s activities, and the screening of the movie Clifford the Big Red Dog.

Originally published as A Cairns Esplanade icon is celebrating 20 years of staying afloat