Cairns Campus

Close to 3,000 students study at JCU Cairns, including 335 international students.

These students are immersed in a dynamic learning environment with opportunities available for study, work, and play. With academic staff committed to student support and success, a careers team ready to assist students with work both during and post study, and a myriad of academic and sporting clubs on offer, students at JCU Cairns have a world of experiences available to them.

JCU Cairns, Smithfield campus has been named Nguma-bada (pronounced nom-ah-bud-ah), which means belonging to tomorrow: "Place for tomorrow's learning, knowledge and wisdom" from the Yirrgay (Yirrganydji) coastal dialect of Djabugay.

Conveniently located 15 kilometres (9 miles) north of the city centre, the campus is surrounded on three sides by rainforest-covered mountains and is close to the northern beaches. Students enjoy a tranquil learning environment due to the abundance of lush greenery and spacious areas.

Located in the heart of city, JCU Cairns, CBD campus has been named Bada-jali (pronounced bud-ah-jal-lee) and means flowering of the Cocky Apple tree: “Place and time for new beginnings and growth”, also from the Yirrgay (Yirrganydji) coastal dialect of Djabugay. The campus offers a range of flexible study, teaching, and meeting areas.

Studying in Cairns provides access to two World Heritage-listed natural environments – the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the Wet Tropics ancient rainforests. Students can develop specialised skills during field trips and expeditions to distinctive research locations.