Cairns & the Tropical North Travelers Recommend

With hundreds of thousands of miles of coral reefs, sun-soaked shores, and waters teeming with fish, nowhere else on earth is like the Great Barrier Reef. Here are the top ways to experience the UNESCO-listed star of Australia's Tropical North.

Underwater

Dive in to swim, snorkel, or scuba dive amid a kaleidoscope of exotic fish and corals, or try a seawalker helmet dive, all of which provide the chance to spot green sea turtles, anemones, stingrays, giant clams, and other marine life. Keep in mind that you don't have to get wet to experience the underwater wonders—opt for a cruise on a glass-bottomed boat, take a semi-submersible boat tour, or admire the views from an underwater observatory.

From Above

The Great Barrier Reef is so gigantic it can be seen from space, and the only way to get a sense of its magnitude is from above. Take off for a scenic flight or thrilling helicopter ride from Cairns and enjoy unbeatable aerial views of highlights such as Lizard Island, Green Island, and the Arlington Reef while soaring overhead. Flights can last anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour, and many tours combine a flight with a boat cruise or sightseeing tour.

By Sightseeing Boat

The easiest way to discover the Great Barrier Reef is by boat, and a range of day cruises run to popular spots such as Michaelmas Cay, Fitzroy Island, Green Island, and the Low Isles. Soak up the scenery onboard a schooner or catamaran; hop off to explore the islands; or spend a night at the unique Reefworld pontoon. Most cruises depart from Port Douglas, Airlie Beach, or Cairns and typically include breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea served onboard.

Summer in Cairns is hot and humid. It’s also the region’s wet season, with increased rainfall building up around December and continuing through February. Nevertheless, there’s still plenty to appeal—and lots of options for staying dry. Here are a few ways to experience this tropical city in summer.

• Discover Cairns-area attractions, including the waterfront and St. Monica's Cathedral, on a city sightseeing tour.
• Soar over the Great Barrier Reef and the city’s sparkling beaches on a scenic helicopter tour.
• Cool off in the water on a Great Barrier Reef snorkeling and diving cruise.
• Explore the rain forest that defines the Wet Tropics of Queensland on a tour to Daintree National Park.
• Experience the natural wonders of Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands, and cool off in its waterfalls, on a guided tour.
• Learn about the indigenous Tjapukai people during an enthralling cultural show and dinner.
• Enjoy the cool breeze off the water as you sail along Trinity Inlet on a sunset dinner cruise.
• See snapping crocs in action on a tour to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.
• Experience the fun and thrills of a white-water rafting trip on the Barron River.
• Explore the underwater world without getting wet at Cairns Aquarium.

With two days in Cairns, you have time to thoroughly explore the city and its surroundings—by water, land, and air—as well as venture deeper into the Great Barrier Reef or Kuranda Rainforest. Here is how to spend two days in the gateway to the tropical north.

Day 1: Explore Cairns from the Sky, Land, and Water

**Morning:**Get your first look at the Great Barrier Reef aboard a scenic flight. Fixed-wing airplanes usually feature all window seating for unobstructed views. Flights typically take 30 to 60 minutes and soar over Green Island, Upolu Cay, and Michaelmas Reef, as well as Cape Grafton, False Cape, Double Island, and Cairns’ Northern Beaches.

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of Cairns and its surroundings. Guided tours typically visit city attractions such as the Flecker Botanical Gardens and St. Monica's Cathedral. A quicker alternative is to zip around the city on a tour by Segway Ninebot, or you can explore independently by taking a self-guided audio tour.

**Night:**Conclude your evening with a sunset cruise along the Trinity Inlet. Aboard a comfortable catamaran, you can soak up the city and harbor views and enjoy a drink and appetizers. Some cruises offer the option of adding on dinner at one of the city’s top restaurants.

Day 2: Explore the Reef or Rainforest

**Morning:**Get a look at the Great Barrier Reef;s marine life on a diving or snorkeling cruise, which typically leave in the morning, return in late afternoon, and include lunch, although half-day tours may be available. An alternative is to go to Kuranda Rainforest on a full-day tour—you’ll likely take the Kuranda Scenic Railway to Kuranda and visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary before returning to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Some tours also include lunch and Aboriginal cultural experiences.

**Afternoon:**If you didn't opt for a full-day tour, take the afternoon to see more of the nature surrounding Cairns. Land-loving adventurous types may want to take an afternoon ATV tour, which offers adventure in the rain forest and gets you places a typical tour won't. Or take the afternoon to visit the Rainforestation Nature Park. 

**Night:**Learn about Aboriginal culture with dinner at Flames of the Forest, an open-air site that features storytelling and live performances. Most tours offer round-trip hotel transfers.

Dominated by two UNESCO World Heritage sites—the Wet Tropics rain forest and the Great Barrier Reef—and fringed with white-sand beaches, Queensland’s northern peninsula is home to some of Australia’s most incredible natural scenery. Explore the Great Barrier Reef by helicopter or cruise, and take advantage of endless opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving off the many reefs and islands. Inland, ride a railway to the heart of the jungle, and check out popular activities such as hiking and swimming in the Atherton Tablelands or white-water rafting in Barron Gorge National Park. Booking tours and tickets in advance will ensure that you maximize your time. To help you choose, here’s our pick of the must-do activities in Cairns and the Tropical North.

With tropical beaches, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rain forest, and the islands of the Great Barrier Reef all on the city’s doorstep, Cairns offers plenty of options for a family adventure. From wildlife encounters and outdoor activities to fun family attractions, here are some ideas for things to do in Cairns with kids.

• Swim and snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day boat cruise, or enjoy aerial views on a thrilling helicopter flight.
• Skip the long lines with a great-value family ticket for attractions such as the Cairns Museum or Cairns Aquarium.
• Spot Aussie animals such as kangaroos, cassowaries, and crocodiles or enjoy breakfast with the koalas at Hartley's Crocodile Park.
• Enjoy an action-packed family day out in the rain forest at Kuranda, where you can ride the Skyrail and Scenic Railway and visit attractions such as Birdworld and the Butterfly Sanctuary.

Most visitors who head to Cairn visit this city in Australia’s tropical north as a way to access the Great Barrier Reef, but the region offers a variety of activities. On a three day trip, you have plenty of time to visit the reef and also explore the city and the surrounding rainforest. Here are some ways to spend 72 hours in Cairns. 

Day 1: Experience the City by Land and Water

A great way to get your bearings is on a sightseeing tour of the city and its surroundings. Hop on a bus, bike, or Segway for a guided tours of city attractions like the Flecker Botanical Gardens and St. Monica's Cathedral, which boasts the largest themed stained glass windows in the world. Some bus tours give you the option of also taking a morning cruise to Green Island in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Alternatively, book an audio tour and explore the city at your own pace.

End your day with a sunset cruise through Trinity Inlet aboard a comfortable catamaran. Soak up views of  the city and the harbor while you enjoy drinks and appetizers; some cruises even offer dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants after the ride.

Day 2: Head Out Onto the Great Barrier Reef

The UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef is the main attraction in this part of the world, so make the most of your visit by spending a whole day exploring it. Join a diving and/or snorkeling cruise, and visit two different sites to see the vibrant marine life living below the reef’s clear waters. Cruises often cover Outer Great Barrier Reef highlights like Saxon Reef or Norman Reef in the morning, then head to Hastings Reef in the afternoon, and most include a hearty lunch as well as snacks. Some tours also offer a short helicopter flight over the reef to give you a different perspective on the world-famous site.

In the evening, get a taste of Aboriginal culture with dinner at Flames of the Forest, an open-air restaurant set under the trees in a rainforest that features upscale food along with live music and performances. 

Day 3: Explore the Kuranda Rainforest

Spend your last day in Cairns exploring another of the area’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the rainforest around the town of Kuranda. Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway, and visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary (largest flight aviary in the country), the Rainforestation Nature Park, and the Koala and Wildlife Park before returning to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Some tours also include lunch and an Aboriginal cultural experiences; some have the added privilege of skip-the-line entrance and upgraded seating on the scenic railway.

To celebrate the end of your trip, get dressed up and finish the evening with an entertaining (and interactive) dinner theater show filled with music and comedy. From burlesque shows to murder mysteries, Cairns Dinner Theatre’s shows will keep you entertained and—with a three-course meal included with the ticket—satisfied.

Fall (March to May) is one of the best times to visit Cairns, when temperatures and humidity have dropped from their oppressive summer highs, but it’s not quite peak tourist season. If you are visiting Cairns in fall, you’ll have plenty of activities to choose from. Here are some ideas.

• Get your bearings on a city sightseeing tour of Cairns’ top attractions.
• Discover the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef on a snorkeling and diving cruise.
• Splurge on a scenic helicopter tour, and soar over the Great Barrier Reef and the city’s northern beaches.
• Hop aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway, and journey to the rain-forest village of Kuranda.
• Get a bird’s-eye view of Tropical North Queensland on a sunrise hot-air-balloon flight.
• Breakfast with koalas and see snapping crocs at Hartley’s Crocodile Park.
• Take a white-water rafting trip for an action-packed day of adventure.
• Explore the Daintree Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a guided tour.
• Take advantage of the dry weather and go abseiling and ziplining in the Crystal Cascades.
• Cruise into sunset aboard a luxury catamaran on a dinner cruise.

Springtime in Cairns, from September through November, marks the end of the dry season but provides a comfortable bridge before the wet season arrives in December. It’s also a vibrant time, when the Great Barrier Reef springs to life with the annual coral spawning in November. Here are a few ways to experience Cairns in spring.

• Discover the Great Barrier Reef’s tropical marine life on a snorkeling cruise.
• Take a scenic helicopter tour and soar over the reef and the northern beaches.
• Journey to the rain forest village of Kuranda aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
• On a sunrise hot-air-balloon flight, get a bird’s-eye view of Tropical North Queensland.
• Enjoy an action-packed day of adventure on a white-water-rafting trip.
• Take a guided tour of the Daintree Rainforest UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Learn to Scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef with a PADI Open Water dive course.
• Make the most of spawning season with a day trip to Green Island.
• See the city’s top attractions on a sightseeing tour.
• Take a sunset dinner cruise and enjoy a sumptuous meal while you soak up the view.

Whether you’re planning a romantic proposal, enjoying a couples getaway, or simply wanting to spend some quality time with your loved one, the magnificent scenery of Queensland’s north provides an idyllic backdrop. Here are some ideas for romantic things to do in Cairns and the Tropical North. 

Watch the Sunrise from the Sky

The patchwork farmlands, winding rivers, and tropical forests of the Atherton Tablelands are even more stunning from above. An early morning hot-air-balloon flight is the most romantic way to take in the views, floating over the countryside as the sunrise casts a golden glow over the landscapes below. 

Book a Private Tour for Two

From cruising the Great Barrier Reef to exploring the Wet Tropics rain forest or strolling along the beach at Cape Tribulation, there are plenty of options for day trips from Cairns. Opting for a private tour means you and your sweetie can travel at your own pace, spend longer at the places you enjoy most, and ask your guide for personalized recommendations to customize the trip for just the two of you.  

Enjoy a VIP Dinner Date

Turn up the romance by flying your loved one out to a remote island in the Great Barrier Reef on a private helicopter, then enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch and sip champagne as you gaze out across the ocean. Foodie couples could head into the Hinterlands around Cairns for a private food-tasting tour or even enjoy breakfast with the koalas at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.

Spend a Night at Sea

Choose an overnight tour of the Great Barrier Reef and spend the night together on a pontoon amid the UNESCO World Heritage Site coral reefs and islands. Alternatively, set sail along the Trinity Inlet on a sunset cruise, and snuggle up to admire Cairns’ illuminations from the water as you sail back to the city at night. 

With a tropical climate, abundant rain, nearby ocean, and cooler highlands inland, Cairns is not short on fresh produce. At restaurants, fresh fish and seafood tend to be the stars of the show, and there are many fun food-focused tours and activities available in the area. Read on to whet your appetite.

Must-Try Dishes

Australians are known to have perfected the art of serving coffee, and in Cairns you can top off this experience by sipping a locally produced brew with breakfast. In response to the city's hot climate, consider getting a tropical fruit-flavored gelato too.

For a more substantial meal, try some fresh fish or seafood such as Moreton Bay bugs, mud crabs, oysters, and prawns. Cairns cuisine is heavily influenced by Italy and Southeast Asia, so you can find many ways to enjoy the freshly caught seafood.

End the day with local liquor— whisky, rum, beer, and wine are all produced in the Cairns and Far North Queensland area. There are plenty of bars, pubs, and clubs in Cairns to sample. A local specialty is wine made from the tropical fruits that grow in abundance here.

Must-Do Experiences

• Join an Aboriginal-led tour of Cairns to learn how the local indigenous peoples traditionally catch, cook, and prepare their food.
• Tour a coffee and tea plantation in the highlands east of Cairns.
• If you like the idea of catching your own food, charter a boat or join a group fishing tour.

The cooler-than-typical temperatures and low humidity make winter (June to August) the peak tourist season in Cairns. Temperatures typically range from 63℉ to 78°F (17℃–26°C), and there is little rainfall. Here are a few ways to experience Cairns in winter—one of the best times to visit.

• Take advantage of the later sunrise and get a bird’s-eye view of Tropical North Queensland on a hot-air-balloon flight.
• Discover the Great Barrier Reef’s tropical marine life on a snorkeling cruise.
• Enjoy comfortable winter temperatures on the area’s best beaches.
• Soar over the reef and the northern beaches on a scenic helicopter tour.
• Make the most of the low humidity on a guided rain-forest walk.
• On a self-guided audio tour, enjoy the cool temperatures and explore the city at your own pace.
• Learn about Aboriginal cultural with a visit to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.
• Stroll around the tropical paradise of Cairns Botanical Gardens.
• Visit Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld to meet adorable native wildlife.
• Soak up harbor views and enjoy a sumptuous buffet on a sunset dinner cruise.

The charming city of Cairns, with its islands, beaches, and access to the Great Barrier Reef—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is an essential stop on any Australian itinerary. Here’s how to spend one memorable day in the gateway to the tropical north.

Morning: Soar Over the Great Barrier Reef

Instead of sailing out to the Great Barrier Reef, admire it from above on a scenic flight, which offers time savings over boating and a better view. Fixed-wing airplanes usually feature all window seating for unobstructed views and excellent photo opportunities. Scenic flights typically take 30 to 60 minutes and fly over Green Island, Upolu Cay, Arlington Reef, Vlasoff Cay, and Michaelmas Cay as well as Cape Grafton, False Cape, Double Island, and the Northern Beaches of Cairns including Palm Cove. As you fly, your pilot provides insights on each sight.

Afternoon: Explore the City at Ground Level

Back on solid ground for the afternoon, embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of Cairns and its surroundings. Guided tours typically visit city attractions, such as Flecker Botanical Gardens and St. Monica's Cathedral, and include time for a short hike through Barron Gorge National Park. Some tours add on afternoon tea at a local cafe. Alternatively, zip around the city on a Segway Ninebot. You’ll see many of the same attractions as on typical sightseeing tours but at a faster pace. Independent-minded travelers, on the other hand, can elect to take a self-guided audio tour and explore at their own pace.

Night: Get Out on the Water for Sunset

Complete the trifecta of air, land, and water exploration with a sunset cruise along the scenic, mangrove-lined Trinity Inlet. Aboard a comfortable catamaran, you can relax and enjoy the cool breeze. As the setting sun lights up the sky, you get to soak up views of the city and its harbor, aided by the captain's commentary on places of interest. Sunset cruises typically included a drink and appetizers, and some offer the option of adding on dinner at a restaurant, typically a local seafood restaurant on the waterfront.