Crowds enjoying a day out along the Esplanade Dining Precinct on its opening day
In late June, the new $28 million Esplanade Dining Precinct was unveiled to the public. Fast-tracked as a post-COVID recovery project, the new layout features a contemporary awning spanning the length of the project, allowing better weather coverage for extended dining areas. A new one-way roadway, promenade and extended footpaths enable the precinct to be easily converted to a pedestrian-only space for events and festivals. Tropical landscaping and other features including grassed mounds, pebble seating and a vertical garden have been added to create an inviting environment for diners and families.
I worked with the Cairns Regional Council and the principal contractor, Field Construct, to capture the precinct’s new design and also the adjacent Florence Street Link (a pedestrian link between major cultural and tourism attractions such as Munro Martin Parklands and the Cairns Aquarium). Images of the Esplanade Dining Precinct were captured both on completion and on it’s opening day, when the public came out in force to explore the new precinct.
Crowds exploring the Esplanade dining precinct at twilight on it’s opening night
Cyclists on the Esplanade Dining Precinct roadway which is now limited to service vehicles
View across to the new entrance to the Cairns Night Markets at twilight
The extended dining area as part of the Esplanade redevelopment
Crowds on the pedestrian-only walkway of the Esplanade Dining Precinct, on its opening day
The new entrance to the Night Markets with improved seating and paved areas
Diners enjoying the new extended dining areas stretching the length of the Esplanade Dining Precinct
Contemporary seating for relaxing and people watching with tropical views
Crowds strolling along the new Esplanade Dining Precinct on its opening day
Tropical landscaping and new awning stretching along the length of the extending dining area
View looking south along the dining precinct
Pedestrian walkway with pergola festooned with lighting as part of the Florence Street link
Crowds line the Esplanade dining precinct at twilight on it’s opening night
New awnings and landscaping framing cafes and restaurants along the Esplanade strip
Architectural elements and vertical garden at entrance to the Night Markets
View looking north on the Esplanade dining precinct past the Crystalbrook Riley Hotel
New relaxed seating and signage along the dining precinct
Crowds in front of the Night Markets entrance on dining precinct opening day
View looking south past new landscaping at the corner of the Esplanade and Aplin St
Crowds on the pedestrian-only walkway of the Esplanade Dining Precinct, on its opening day
Extended dining area with views through to the waterfront at Crystalbrook Riley on the Esplanade
New pebble seating, landscaping and awning along the dining precinct near the Night Markets entrance
Seating and tropical landscaping as part of the Florence Street link
Elevated view of the seating, landscaping and promenade along the northern end of the Esplanade dining precinct
People exploring the new Esplanade Dining Precinct, on its opening day
The new promenade and landscaping along the waterfront precinct
Seating and tropical landscaping as part of the Florence Street link
Crowds strolling along the new Esplanade Dining Precinct on its opening day
The redeveloped dining precinct illuminated at night
New seating installed along the waterfront precinct
The new awning stretching the length of dining precinct
The walkway along the dining precinct, transformed into a busy pedestrian-only space
View south along the dining precinct with tropical landscaping
Covered walkway and wayfinding signage next to the Cairns Aquarium
Pedestrian walkway with pergola festooned with lighting as part of the Florence St link
Families relaxing on the new wave lawn as part of the redeveloped Shields St section
Elevated view of the seating, landscaping and promenade along the northern end of the Esplanade dining precinct
