Shield Street Mall

Shield Street Mall stands out with its heavy, permanent timber shade structures that span the walkway like large, skeletal ribs. It occupies a corridor that once carried regular vehicle traffic through the heart of Cairns. In nineteen eighty-four, city planners blocked off the street to keep the sun at bay and encourage foot traffic in the tropical heat. Local merchants often used the space for weekend markets, filling the area with the scent of fresh fruit and sound of live music.