Alleged Cairns rapist faces court

A teenager accused of violently raping a Korean woman in Cairns and attacking another tourist on a bike has been remanded in custody.

The 18-year-old allegedly raped the woman, 21, after dragging her into bushes on Aplin Street, in the heart of the tourist city, about 1am on Friday.

An hour later, he allegedly pushed a 28-year-old Japanese woman off her bike as she rode along the same street.

Police allege he punched her in the head and face but fled when a man walking nearby heard her desperate screams for help.

The attacks sparked an intensive manhunt, with police finding the accused hiding in mud near the Esplanade boardwalk.

Both women were taken to hospital where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The man faced the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday on five counts of assault, four counts of rape, and one count each of attempted rape, deprivation of liberty, torture, sexual assault, assault with intent to commit rape, and robbery using personal violence.

He was remanded in custody and will next face court on September 7.