Hides Hotel Celebrates 130 Years and Opens Its Doors as Part of a New Series of Historical Walking Tours in Cairns

This month Cairns Regional Council will once again provide locals and visitors alike with a back-stage-pass to our cities unique history with a walking tour of the city which will feature, amongst twenty other heritage sites and buildings, the 130 year old Hides Hotel.

The three-storeyed, masonry hotel on the corner of Shield and Lake Street, still retains a high degree of intactness and has always functioned as a hotel, under the name Hides.

The heritage-listed Hotel was originally built in 1885 by George Hides and Duncan McColl (on an isolated patch of land on Lake Street reputedly swapped for a horse and gambled on the development of the town). Their instincts proved correct and a thriving commercial precinct evolved around Hides Hotel.

In 1895, George Hides widow Elizabeth took over the lease and the hotel became a social hub for travellers and local elites, complete with pukkah fans, billiard tables and garden parties. After a night of recreation, guests would awake to freshly shined shoes and crisp tropical wines, cleaned at Japanese run laundries.

In 1928 the three story building you see today was erected over the garden. Right through to the 1950's Hides' clientele included locals from the Tablelands visiting Cairns for shopping, business or socialising. The roads were so terrible and the trains so slow that overnight accommodation was essential.

The current Hotel Manager, Malcolm Wooldridge is excited to be able to open his doors this month as he says, “This hotel's impressive heritage and charm is not immediately obvious from street level but the hotel has so much atmosphere and stories for guests to enjoy – we have been a part of Cairns community throughout the town's entire history”.

Hides Hotel's most famous guest, General Douglas MacArthur used to stay on the top corner suite, Room 80 during his visits from his War Office in Brisbane in the 1940's, which today is called "The MacArthur Suite".

The foundation stone of the new Hides' Cairns Hotel was laid by Denis O'Hara Jnr on 16 May 1928. The building, estimated to cost approximately £30,000, was designed by Cairns architect Sydenham Stanley Oxenham, with local North Queensland timbers used throughout.

At the time of construction, it was one of the largest buildings in Cairns, and was one of only two three-storeyed structures in the city, the other being Boland's store at the corner of Lake and Spence Streets.

Hides Hotel will be using the Council Heritage Walks to show-off it's recently completed renovation to its sweeping second story verandah which overlooks the entire corner of Shield and Lake Street where guests can enjoy breakfast which is included in all room packages and enjoy the same view that the hotels original guests enjoyed 130 years ago this year!

For more information please contact:
Marcus Brady, Business Development Manager
07 4050 1327, 0438 501 306
bdm@oceangroup.com.au

Historic Guided Tours of Cairns

Bookings are now being taken for tours to be held on Fridays 8 and 22 May.

The walking tour will start at the beautiful heritage-listed City Library, itself an iconic heritage building built in 1929-30 in the Inter-War Classical style.

Walks begin at 9am and take about 90 minutes. Guests will enjoy a morning tea at the City Library on conclusion of the walk. Bookings are essential. Cost is $10, payable at any library branch at the time of booking.

Hides Hotel

Hides Hotel Cairns is in the Cairns City Centre and offers affordable Cairns holiday accommodation right in the heart of Cairns. It is surrounded by restaurants, pubs and shops. It is only a short walk to the Casino, Reef Fleet Terminal, Esplanade Lagoon Pool, Cairns Central Shopping Centre and Kuranda Railway Station.

With the convenience of public transport 100 metres from reception and a tour desk to book all your tours that will collect you from our Hotel, you will be able to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Kuranda Village and all of what Tropical North Queensland has to offer.

Hides Hotel Cairns is a preferred and recommended leisure property for the tourist, corporate, family and large groups visiting Tropical North Queensland. It offers both the comfort and convenience of a modern, large and comfortable hotel or the nostalgic charm and grace of budget heritage rooms.

Hides Hotel Cairns has a 24 hour reception, undercover car parking (with limited spaces) and a tour desk to book all your tours while you enjoy your stay in Cairns.

Ocean Hotels and Tourism

Is an Australian owned and operated company.

We are proudly delivering iconic experiences in Tropical North Queensland with the passion and the desire to create long lasting memories for those who are blessed with the opportunity to experience these amazing locations in Australia.

In the Whitsunday Islands we have Club Croc Hotel. In Cairns we explore the magic of the Great Barrier Reef through Sunlover Reef Cruises along-side historical Hides Hotel in the heart of the City.