The lure of witnessing one of world's comedy legends live in action was enough to pack the Cairns Convention Centre on Wednesday night.

Billy Connelly, the self-confessed hippy best known for his use of colourful language and raw honesty delivered two hours of his famous wit after spending a day on the Great Barrier Reef.

And it was a test in concentration for the many thousands who attended as he darted from one storyline to another, often having three or four jokes running at the same time.

"You need to multi-task," he told the audience.

Billy mixes hilariously vulgar material with a somewhat rebellious view on life as he urged people to become "irritants" to the powers that be including the insurance companies making life difficult for flood victims.

"I never really became a man, which is probably why much of my comedy still revolves around bodily functions! I remained a boy and all boys love it! Underpants, willies, poo, knickers, bums. . .I still find them funny and anywhere that you’re vulnerable you’re funny."

Port Douglas resident Nathan King, who made the trip south to see the comic icon, said it was well worth the effort.

"I thought he was fantastic. He's been around for a long time so it was a good opportunity to see him. It's rare to see such a famous act come to Cairns."