Review · AUSTRALIA
Private Self-Guided Secrets of Cairns Exploration Game
Cairns’ historic center becomes your game board in this GPS-based scavenger hunt. Starting at Shields Street, you follow clues, answer questions, solve puzzles, and complete photo tasks as you work toward a final challenge. It is a clever way to get your bearings while adding a little friendly competition.
I like the private format and the freedom to start whenever you choose. The price is also fair at $31.52 per group of up to four, especially if you share one phone and split the cost. The main concern is technical: one player found that the app kept glitching and failed to register several locations, so bring patience and check that your device is ready before you begin.
- Starts and finishes at Shields Street: You explore from one central Cairns meeting point.
- One ticket covers up to four people: Larger groups need additional tickets.
- The Loquiz app runs the game: Your phone is the essential piece of equipment.
- Puzzles mix sightseeing with play: Expect questions, GPS tasks, and photo challenges.
- You control the timing: Start at your chosen time, pause, and continue later.
- A mixed technical record: The game can be fun and useful, but app problems are a real consideration.
A Cairns City Walk With a Game Attached

This is not a guided tour with a person leading you from stop to stop. It is a self-guided activity that turns Cairns’ historic center into a series of challenges.
You receive instructions and login details, download the Loquiz app, and begin at Shields Street. From there, the game sends you toward points of interest using GPS. At each point, you may need to answer a question, solve a puzzle, or take a photo.
That format changes the way you look at the city. Instead of simply walking past a building or public space, you have a reason to stop and notice it. The questions and fun facts add context, though the experience is best viewed as a playful introduction rather than a full history tour.
You finish back at the meeting point. Since no detailed list of stops is supplied, you should not book this expecting a fixed parade of famous Cairns attractions. The exact route is built around the game’s clues and highlights in the central area.
Why Shields Street Is a Handy Starting Point

Shields Street is both the start and end point, which keeps the logistics simple. You do not need to meet a guide across town or arrange a transfer between sections.
That matters in Cairns, where a flexible city activity can fit around meals, shopping, other tours, or a quiet afternoon. The published operating hours cover every day and every hour during the available booking period, and you can start when it suits you despite selecting a date and time during booking.
The practical tip is to treat your chosen booking time as a placeholder, not a strict appointment. You still need to follow the instructions sent after booking, but the activity is designed to let you begin on your own schedule.
Because you return to Shields Street, you can also leave bags, transport plans, or later reservations easier to manage than with an activity that ends somewhere else. The route itself is not described in detail, so allow roughly two hours rather than planning another appointment immediately afterward.
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How the Loquiz Game Works
The game depends on a smartphone or another compatible device. The device is not included, and each group plays with one device, so make sure someone in your party has a charged phone and can download the Loquiz app.
After booking, you receive the instructions and login information. The basic process is:
- Download the Loquiz app.
- Enter the supplied login details.
- Go to Shields Street.
- Start the exploration game.
- Follow the GPS prompts and complete the tasks.
- Return to Shields Street when finished.
The game awards points as you complete challenges. You can also earn extra clues for the final puzzle. That scoring system gives your group something to work toward, especially if children or competitive friends are involved.
The leaderboard adds another layer, but you should decide how seriously to take it. If you race through every task, you may pay less attention to the city. If you slow down, read the information, and enjoy the walk, the game becomes more useful as a sightseeing tool.
What You Actually Do Along the Route

The supplied route information names only the start and finish, not a detailed list of individual stops. That means I cannot promise particular buildings, parks, monuments, or restaurants along the way.
You can expect the game to lead you around the historic center using GPS prompts. The tasks may ask you to identify something, answer a question, solve a puzzle, or complete a photo challenge. These activities keep the walk active and give each person in the group a job.
The fun facts are useful for getting a quick sense of Cairns. They are also a good reason to choose this game over an ordinary self-guided walk. You are not just following a map. You are looking for clues and checking whether your answer earns points.
The photo tasks work especially well for families and friend groups. They create a record of the outing and encourage cooperation. Just remember that the activity is played on one device per group, so one person may handle the app while others search, answer, or pose for photos.
Two Hours at Your Own Speed

The advertised duration is about two hours. That is long enough to make the outing feel substantial, but short enough to fit into a day of Cairns sightseeing.
The flexible timing is one of the strongest features. You can start when you like, pause if you want a drink or meal, and continue later. That is useful for families, groups with different walking speeds, or anyone trying to fit the game around another activity.
The freedom also means you are responsible for your own pace. There is no guide to keep the group moving and no stated schedule for individual tasks. If you stop often for photos or discussion, you may need more than two hours. If you focus on the leaderboard, you may finish sooner.
The start and finish are the same, so the game does not strand you in another part of the city. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is also near public transportation, which makes reaching the starting point easier.
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Is $31.52 Good Value?

The price is $31.52 per group of one to four people. That is not a per-person charge. A full group of four effectively pays less than $8 each, making it a reasonable choice for a family or small group.
You also receive the instructions, login details, game access, and facts about the city’s highlights. Your main extra requirement is a smartphone or other device. Since one device serves the whole group, you do not need to provide a phone for every person.
The value depends on what you want. If you need a detailed history lesson, a personal guide, or a carefully explained itinerary, this is not the right product. If you want a low-cost way to walk through central Cairns while solving problems together, the price makes more sense.
Groups larger than four must buy two or more tickets. That gives larger parties a chance to play, but you should understand that separate tickets mean separate groups in the game. The activity remains private, with only your own party participating.
The App Problem You Should Take Seriously

One participant had a frustrating experience with the game repeatedly glitching. Several locations did not register even after the person walked past them. That is more than a minor annoyance in a GPS game, since the whole activity depends on the app recognizing where you are.
The provider responded that the app is normally expected to work properly and invited the participant to contact the company for a suitable compensation. That response is useful, but it does not remove the risk for your day.
Before starting, I would take a few sensible steps:
- Charge your phone fully.
- Download the app before reaching Shields Street.
- Read the instructions carefully.
- Make sure your phone can use location services.
- Keep the booking information easy to access.
- Allow extra time in case a task needs to be repeated.
Do not assume the game will behave like a paper map. If a clue fails to register, note what happened and contact City Game at [email protected]. A screenshot or quick record of the problem may help when explaining the issue.
The technical concern is the biggest reason I would avoid booking this as the centerpiece of a tightly timed day. It works better as a flexible extra activity, where a short delay will not spoil a flight, meal reservation, or paid excursion.
Best for Families, Friends, and Small Teams

This activity suits people who enjoy solving things together. Families can use it as a way to get children interested in the city without asking them to listen to a long talk. Friends can compete for points and photos. Work groups can use the challenges as a light team-building exercise.
The private format is a big plus. You do not need to match the pace of strangers, and you can pause without holding up another party. You also choose how much energy to put into the competition.
It may be less suitable for anyone who wants a quiet, unstructured stroll. You must pay attention to the phone, follow instructions, and complete tasks. The game also requires enough comfort with smartphone apps to manage the download and login.
Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Still, the information provided does not specify the exact walking distance, pavement conditions, or the accessibility of every challenge. If you have a particular mobility need, contact the provider before booking.
How to Get More From the Experience

I would play with two to four people rather than alone. One person can manage the device, another can read the clues, and the rest can look for answers or handle photo tasks. With a group, the game becomes more social and the price becomes better value.
Do not rush the fun facts. They are the part most likely to turn a simple phone game into a useful introduction to Cairns. Read them aloud and use the questions to notice details you might otherwise miss.
At the same time, keep the app in view. GPS-based tasks can be fussy, and walking a few steps in the wrong direction may cost time. If the app does not respond, check your location settings before assuming you missed the clue.
The game is also a good option on a pleasant-weather day. One participant specifically enjoyed getting familiar with the area, spending time with family, and the beautiful weather. Those are the conditions in which this kind of activity works best: you can walk, talk, and stop without feeling hurried.
Booking and Cancellation Details
You need to choose a date and time when booking, but you can begin whenever you like. Confirmation arrives at the time of booking, followed by the instructions needed to access the game.
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes within that same period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Cairns time.
The provider is City Game. Since this is a private activity, only your own group takes part.
Should You Book the Cairns Exploration Game?
Book it if you want a flexible, private way to get familiar with central Cairns. The strongest reasons are the low group price, the ability to pause and restart, and the mix of local facts, puzzles, questions, and photo tasks.
I would recommend it most to families with children, couples who enjoy games, and small groups looking for a two-hour activity that does not require a guide or fixed departure. It can also work well early in a Cairns stay, when you want to learn the city layout.
Think twice if you need dependable GPS performance or a detailed, expert-led history tour. The app glitch reported in one experience is a genuine warning, even though another person had a fun outing and found the activity useful for learning the area.
My practical verdict: book it as an affordable, low-pressure city game, but do not make it the only plan for an important day. Keep your phone charged, leave room in your schedule, and be ready to contact City Game if the technology misbehaves.
FAQ
Where does the game start?
The game starts on Shields Street in Cairns City, Queensland.
Where does the activity end?
The game ends back at the Shields Street meeting point.
How long does the game take?
The expected duration is about two hours.
How many people can use one ticket?
One ticket covers a private group of up to four people.
What should larger groups do?
Groups of more than four people can buy two or more tickets.
Do I need a smartphone?
Yes. You need a smartphone or another device to download and use the Loquiz app. A device is not included.
Can I choose when to start?
Yes. You select a date and time during booking, but you can start whenever you like.
Is the activity private?
Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.
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