Freshwater is a middle-ring suburb of Cairns located within 15-minute drive north of the Cairns CBD between Stratford and Redlynch. There is a mix of land types throughout Freshwater ranging from residential to commercial with recreation and park land areas throughout the suburb. There are many neighbourhood parks within the area with children's play equipment, as well as Freshwater Creek swimming hole and picnic area making the suburb very family-friendly. The postcode for Freshwater is 4870.

Freshwater has a small shopping strip with an IGA convenience store, Freshwater Butchery and multiple café's. There are also several takeaway restaurants in the area and a boutique cafè located in the Freshwater Railway Station. The closest shopping centre is a 5-minute drive to Redlynch Central Shopping Centre which has both major grocery stores Coles and Woolworths, a Brumby's Bakery, Domino's Pizza store, Terry White Chemist and many other stores.

Freshwater has a range of schools within the surrounding areas, Freshwater State Primary school offers public schooling for years Prep-6, and Freshwater Christian College provides private schooling for years Prep-12. There are also a number of schools in the surrounding suburbs. The Cairns Sunbus public transport service also runs throughout the area with multiple stop overs in the suburb. The Freshwater Railway Station is also located in the heart of Freshwater providing transport both to and from Cairns CBD as well as to Kuranda.