Cairns Customs House, Heritage-listed customs building in Cairns, Australia.
Cairns Customs House is a two-story masonry building with classical details, pilasters, and a prominent entrance portico. Verandahs line both levels and preserve the architectural style from the 1930s.
The building was constructed between 1936 and 1937 by Watkins & Deal following architect Robert Henry Bowen's design. It replaced an earlier timber structure that had served since 1889.
The building reflects how colonial officials mixed work and home life in a single structure. The ground floor Long Room and offices below show the practical arrangement of administrative and domestic spaces together.
The building sits on Abbott Street in central Cairns and is easily accessible. It now houses a restaurant, allowing visitors to experience the interior spaces while dining.
The reserve where this building stands was the first land surveyed after Cairns port was declared in 1876. This early location makes it a significant spot in the city's founding story.
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