Girls charged over Cairns tourist robbery

A group of girls aged 15 and under are facing a string of charges after two tourists were robbed at knifepoint in Cairns.

It's alleged a 62-year-old woman was pushed to the ground and kicked and a 32-year-old man punched during the assault in the suburb of Manunda on Sunday.

Police say the two of the four girls, aged between 12 and 15, were armed with knifes and the group demanded money before the tourists handed over Australian and overseas currency.

The girls were later charged with a total of 15 offences, including armed robbery and serious assault, and will be dealt with under The Youth Justice Act.