Cairns Court House Complex, Cairns

The Cairns Court House Complex is a cherished heritage-listed site that weaves together a rich tapestry of history and art. This complex encompasses a former courthouse and a former public administration building, now known as the Court House Gallery, creating a seamless blend of the past and the present.

Constructed with meticulous care from 1919 to 1921, the Cairns Court House Complex earned a well-deserved place on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992, acknowledging its architectural significance and historical value. Today, the complex's legacy continues as it houses the Court House Gallery, which opened its doors in 2020, providing a captivating space to showcase exhibitions of historical and contemporary art from regional, national, and international artists.

The Court House, a single-storeyed rendered masonry building, graces the Abbott Street gardens to the southwest, emanating an air of timeless elegance. T-shaped in plan, it features offices and subsidiary court rooms in the western wing, while the main court room takes pride of place in the eastern wing. A central entrance in the western wing is adorned with a recessed porch, embellished with a slightly projecting facade and a captivating stepped parapet topped with a curved pediment, cornice, and a majestic lion and unicorn crest.

Inside the main court room, silky oak fittings, including the impressive Judge's bench, take center stage. The bench sits on a raised platform adorned with a lion and unicorn crest on the wall behind, adding an air of regality to the proceedings. The prisoner's dock, jury and press seating, and gallery rail complete the dignified interior, while French doors and casement windows welcome ample natural light, complemented by plaster pilasters with cornices above.

As visitors approach the complex, they are greeted by a majestic row of palm trees lining the driveway from The Esplanade, accentuating the historical significance and inviting atmosphere of the Cairns Court House Complex.