Under new management Feb 2025. Cairns' Oldest Waterfront Heritage Hotel. A grand old icon reflecting the colourful history of Cairns from its early days. The Barrier Reef Hotel, 33 Wharf street is a great place to relax and enjoy with friends.... A grand old icon reflecting the colourful, foundational history of Cairns from its very early days. The Barrier Reef Hotel is situated at the corner of Abbott and Wharf Streets and is a great place to relax with a cold beer, soak up the local atmosphere and the sea breeze with friends. Orginally established as the Empire Hotel in 1898 the corner was plagued by a series of unfortunate events in the early years. But it wasn't until early 1940's that American soldiers coined the phrase Barbary Coast because the notorious precinct became a hangout for wharfies and the like constituting the rougher end of town.