St Monica's Cathedral
St Monica's Cathedral
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Plan your visit
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
608 within 5 kms
Attractions
83 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
340 reviews
Excellent
213
Very good
109
Average
15
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Carol B
Sydney, Australia44 contributions
Aug 2022
Absolutely stunning! Very unassuming from the outside, but inside - wow! The stained glass windows were beautiful. Very modern depictions of the Creation, with an Australian flavour. Also some panels representing war scenes from Battle of the Coral Sea 1942. Have never seen anything like this anywhere else and who would have thought you'd find it in Cairns. A must-see.
Written 25 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margriet H
Darwin, Australia416 contributions
Feb 2020
I went here as part of City and Surrounds tour. Good to receive brochure explaining all the 12 stained glass panels. A labour of love. The Cowrie timber pews were very impressive. Well worth the visit. I recommend the tour, group of about 20, with knowledgeable tour guide Eric.
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jenemgee
Sydney, Australia9 contributions
May 2022
Amazing! You'll never see the like anywhere else. The windows defy description. The artists started with creation and finished with a green Australia. The peace window gives a time for reflection .
Written 3 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerry G
Ipswich, Australia65 contributions
Mar 2022
A friend suggested to pop in and have a look at the amazing stained glass windows. We passed the cathedral on one of our morning walks so popped in for a look. Certainly different to your normal church stained glass windows. So well done.
Written 19 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tour06285065148
29 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
We have never seen anything like these windows before! They are an absolute must to see. The cathedral has a delightful ambiance to sit and contemplate.
There is a book and gift shop to the side of the cathedral. Do visit it, the ladies are lovely and you can buy a lovely calendar with pictures of the windows.
There is a book and gift shop to the side of the cathedral. Do visit it, the ladies are lovely and you can buy a lovely calendar with pictures of the windows.
Written 15 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Got2try
Sydney, Australia665 contributions
Feb 2022
My background is Catholic. My partner is also Catholic, but has more to do with the church than me. From the outside - it looks like a modern Church, but the inside, I must say I was pleasantly surprised. If in the area, and you have spare time, make time and see for yourself, how peaceful it really is.
Written 18 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel wise twosome
Geelong, Australia124 contributions
May 2022
We called in here on a guided tour. The leadlight windows were supurb. Certainly worth a visit and the guide had lots of information regarding the history of the church. If you want to go self guided, download the info from the St. Monica's website.
Written 5 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thlkenneth
Hong Kong, China47 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
I always insist on attending mass on Sundays even on holidays.
People in St Monica was very welcoming to us tourist even though we were not familiar with their procedures. The church was very accessible on foot.
People in St Monica was very welcoming to us tourist even though we were not familiar with their procedures. The church was very accessible on foot.
Written 12 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annieco1
Wollongong, Australia274 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
Have stayed at Tradewinds Rydges right across the road a few times but never even noticed St Monica's was across the road. It is a beautiful hidden gem and very worth a quiet visit whether you are religious or not. The simply amazing Creation and Peace Windows in the Cathedral are so worth seeing - just beauitful no matter what religious persuasion you may be. I think it would be very difficult to concentrate during Mass here when surrounded by such images - so much detail and colour and a lovely visual story.
You can find more information about these amazing windows on the internet: www.cairns.catholic.org.au
Very much worth visiting St Monica's Cathedral and it seems to be open most days to the public - just remember to be respectful that it is a place of worship.
You can find more information about these amazing windows on the internet: www.cairns.catholic.org.au
Very much worth visiting St Monica's Cathedral and it seems to be open most days to the public - just remember to be respectful that it is a place of worship.
Written 2 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mdeg2000
Australian Capital Territory, Australia110 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
Despite visiting Cairns a few times over the years, I had never known about the beautiful stained glass displayed in St Monica's Cathedral, 181 Abbott Street, until a local recommended we visit.
Whilst not a church-goer, I do love stained glass & St Monica's windows are beautiful & interesting. Starting at the nave at the front right of the church, the continuous stained glass panels go right around the top section of the three walls, incorporating the 'Peace Window' at the front.
Be sure to grab a brochure from the wall on your right hand side as you enter the front door. Reading the brochure as you view the windows is important as it describes each panel which tell a story, starting from the beginning of creation, incorporating local landmarks & depicting war in the Peace Window etc.
We walked to the cathedral from Cairns CBD one weekday & the church was open. A few visitors came in to look while we were there.
I think it's worth a look & is something to do if you have a spare hour to fill.
Whilst not a church-goer, I do love stained glass & St Monica's windows are beautiful & interesting. Starting at the nave at the front right of the church, the continuous stained glass panels go right around the top section of the three walls, incorporating the 'Peace Window' at the front.
Be sure to grab a brochure from the wall on your right hand side as you enter the front door. Reading the brochure as you view the windows is important as it describes each panel which tell a story, starting from the beginning of creation, incorporating local landmarks & depicting war in the Peace Window etc.
We walked to the cathedral from Cairns CBD one weekday & the church was open. A few visitors came in to look while we were there.
I think it's worth a look & is something to do if you have a spare hour to fill.
Written 12 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There is no cost to go into the cathedral and you can wander around as much as you like as long as there is no service being conducted, of course. There is a little shop around the corner of the building which sells postcards (and religious material).
Written 12 July 2018
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing