READY. Set. Go.  
The cattle stampede in Baz Luhrmann's latest epic Australia had nothing on the rush of shoppers seen when the roller doors went up at the opening of Cairns' newest shopping centre, Direct Factory Outlets, yesterday.

At 9.30am, the car park was filling fast and when the doors opened at 10am it took at least 15 minutes for the estimated 3000 people waiting in line to get inside.

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By 10.40am, the first children were reported lost and the Eftpos lines were struggling to cope with the endless stream of shoppers that kept coming through the doors.

Among them was Miranda Reason who said the variety of new shops was what Cairns had been waiting for.

"It's excellent," she said.

"I can't believe there are so many people here."

The bargain hunters came from far and wide.

Victorian visitor Graham Altman compared the centre to anything he had experienced down south.

His only gripe: they should have thought more of the men who wait patiently while their partners shop up a storm. "They should have more seats outside the shops," Mr Altman said as he waited for his wife outside the Oroton outlet.

"I've spent most of my time outside the shops. I'm the world's worst shopper."

Rose Heritage, from Brisbane, and Stephan Trauden, from Whitfield, were pleased by the number of bargains.

"We are buying Christmas presents," Ms Heritage said.

DFO centre manager Barry Frame was thrilled by the opening crowd.

"It's absolutely fantastic," Mr Frame said.

"It's everything I thought it would be and hoped for.

"Judging by other DFO openings, I'd say there would be at least 3000 people here for the opening."

The specialty stores open from 10am to 6pm seven days a week, with this weekend expected to be as chaotic as yesterday.

More than 80 of the 120 stores opened, with the remainder expected to continue opening until after Christmas.

The city's other centres had slower trade yesterday, with some admitting it was the quietest day they had experienced for weeks.

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