Man charged over Cairns sex assaults

A man faces rape and sexual assault charges after two women were attacked in separate incidents in central Cairns.

Police say the man sexually assaulted a 26-year-old woman as she walked along the northern end of the esplanade about 2am (AEST) on Monday before he drove off in a car.

About two hours later, the man picked up a 25-year-old woman then stopped at a nearby shopping centre car park, where he allegedly assaulted the woman before she managed to flee.

A 22-year-old man will face Cairns Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with rape and sexual assault.