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Located in the Trinity Inlet, Cairns is a gem among cities in Queensland, Australia. Famous as a gateway to Queensland’s tropical north, Cairns provides access to the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest.
Queensland’s tropical north is home to idyllic beaches, bustling markets, delicious restaurants, and a deep connection with Australia’s Indigenous cultures.
As a major tourist hub, Cairns itself is also a wonderful little city to explore, full of excellent hotels, restaurants, and beaches.
Tropical North Queensland offers attractions such as wildlife parks, bird sanctuaries, and art galleries.
Since there are so many great activities to do in Cairns, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Check out this ultimate guide to Cairns travel to get you started, with 15 things you should consider while exploring Cairns!
15 of Cairns Best Things To Do
1. Visit the Great Barrier Reef
It’s no secret that Cairns is one of the best places in Queensland from which to visit the Great Barrier Reef! There are countless tours each day leaving from Cairns. From snorkelling and scuba diving to boat rides and helicopter tours, there are numerous ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns.
No matter whether you’re a certified diver in the water or appreciating the scenery from a glass bottom boat, visiting the Great Barrier Reef is one of the top, can’t-miss experiences in Cairns!
Snorkelling in Moore Reef with Sunlover Reef cruise. You can find a port full of tour ships to take you to the nearby island or outer reef. If you want to see the reef in a quick way in the afternoon and stay on liveaboard for more than an hour.
2. Explore Fitzroy Island
anyone who wants a less tourist-friendly island to explore. If you’re looking for a true tropical paradise, Fitzroy Island is the place to be!
Only separated from Cairns by a 45 minute boat ride, Fitzroy Island allows visitors to immerse themselves in tropical beauty and activities. From snorkelling and diving to sea kayaking and hiking, Fitzroy Island has a great variety to offer visitors.
Fitzroy Island offers more than just a coral cay, with dense woodlands, stony coasts, and walking tracks through the tropical rainforest. Whether you want to get into nature, under the water, or out onto the waves, there is plenty to do on Fitzroy Island, so you’ll never be bored!
3. Walk Along the Esplanade Boardwalk
The Esplanade Boardwalk is a centrepiece of local life in Cairns. The Esplanade Boardwalk covers over two kilometres of foreshore, offering a variety of recreational facilities, such as biking paths, artwork, exercise equipment, and more.
Whether you’re interested in having a walk, watching the kids play, or popping into the small businesses along the way, the Esplanade Boardwalk captures the spirit of the city.
It’s the perfect venue for an early morning run or a place to take in the sunset. Visiting the Esplanade Boardwalk is a great way for visitors to witness the culture of Cairns! Enjoy spectacular sunset views here!
Here you will also find the Cairns Lagoon, a nearly 5,000 square metre saltwater swimming space which offers safe swimming conditions and various amenities.
4. Browse the Cairns Night Markets
The diverse offerings at Cairn’s markets offer plenty of options. The Night Market at Cairns is very popular due to its open all nights of the week and provides up to 70 stores for exploring including a variety of eateries. This is an excellent location for dinner and looking for bargains.
5. Go Snorkelling in Michaelmas Cay
Located alongside the Great Barrier Reef, Michaelmas Cay is an amazing place to go snorkelling or scuba diving. The entire area houses several coral gardens and coral heads, serving as home for a variety of captivating marine life. If snorkelling isn’t your thing, don’t worry! Michaelmas Cay is also a prime destination for bird watching in the region as well as ocean cruises, so there are several ways to get acquainted with nature in the area.
6. Spend an Afternoon at Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
The swimming lagoon is free to access and draws the crowds both at night and daytime. When I was there in the evening, people were in the lagoon in the late evening during springtime.
If you have kids in tow or are in need of an easy swim, the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the obvious destination! Located in the heart of Cairns behind the Boardwalk, Esplanade Lagoon is a nearly 5,000 metre swimming lagoon that attracts tourists and locals alike.
The saltwater is pumped in directly from the inlet, treated for optimal sanitation, before arriving at the lagoon. With soft sand and water features to play in, the lagoon offers a safe and fun space for kids to play in the shallow waters.
It’s a great way to have some fun in the sun and see the local community out in force. The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon fronts the Coral Sea, offering scenic views and a great spot for outdoor activities.
7. See the Sealife at the Cairns Aquarium
Sitting in the heart of the city, the Cairns Aquarium is a world-class aquarium, providing an up-close view of the magical ecosystems underwater in the Queensland region. The aquarium features over 70 habitats, which serve as a home to over 16,000 individual animals.
With so many animals, it should be no surprise that there are so many activities and shows revolving around them.
You can view shark feedings, animal talks, and get your hands wet with the on-site touch tank. It’s an amazing way to get another view at the wildlife the Great Barrier Reef nearby is known for.
Make sure you don’t miss out on this iconic Cairns activity and it is something to do with the family in Cairns!
8. Enjoy the Beauty of Josephine Falls
If you’re willing to get out of town a bit, head out towards Innesfail and visit Josephine Falls! Josephine Falls and swimming hole is widely known as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Queensland.
In fact, it has been the centrepiece of many commercials overtime. The larger area includes opportunities for hiking, swimming, and picnicking, including barbeques and picnic facilities.
Josephine Falls is surrounded by lush rainforest, adding to the natural beauty and appeal of the area. You can either explore the area on your own or hire a tour operator to show you everything Josephine Falls has to offer.
Either way, you’ll appreciate the natural beauty and rainforests Queensland is known for.
9. Drive through or ride a Hot Air Balloon over the Atherton Tablelands
The Atherton Tablelands beautifully represents the highlands of Queensland, as a mix of wetlands, rainforests, and savanna areas.
The most scenic thing to do in this area is drive the Waterfall Circuit, a 17 kilometre loop with tons of beautiful spots, such as Millaa Millaa Falls. Wildlife enthusiasts will be thrilled by the chance to see rare animals, such as wallabies and tree kangaroos.
Meanwhile, photographers will be captivated by the opportunity to photograph all the Atherton Tablelands waterfalls.
Whether you choose to drive yourself through this gorgeous area or take a guided tour, make sure you check out this notable area of Cairns.
A unique experience is to ride over the Tablelands on a hot air balloon.
The Daintree Rainforest, the oldest surviving rainforest on earth, is another must-visit natural attraction in the region and is high on the list as one of the best Cairns things to do and see
10. Appreciate the Flora at Cairns Botanic Gardens
To see all the tropical plants of the region in full beauty, make sure you drop by the Cairns Botanic Gardens.
The Cairns Botanic Gardens are widely known as one of the best tropical plant exhibitions in the entire country. The gardens have several sections, from the Aboriginal Plant Use Garden to the Rainforest Boardwalk, which you can explore.
There are even visitor centres and free walking tours, covering different topics. The best part?
The Cairns Botanic Gardens are open every day and always offer free entry. It is truly one of the best activities to do in Cairns if you want to get a greater understanding of the local flora.
11. Wander Through Rusty’s Market
For a great view of the local culture, you absolutely must visit Rusty’s Market! Rusty’s Market is an open market, featuring local produce, flowers, and goods.
There are a variety of stalls, with everything from local foods to artisan goods. It is full of vibrant energy, colours, and flavours. It is best to arrive early, when you’ll have the best selection of items and you won’t have to contend with big crowds.
Unfortunately, Rusty’s Market is not open every day of the week. However, if you find yourself in Cairns on a weekend (from Friday to Sunday), you should certainly take yourself to Rusty’s Market!
12. Hike Out to the Behana Gorge Waterfall
If you’re up for a hike, the Behana Gorge Waterfall is an amazing destination! Widely considered one of the best waterfalls in the entire region, Behana Gorge Waterfall is absolutely stunning.
Just thirty minutes by car outside of Cairns, the Behana Gorge is widely accessible by car. It features tons of waterfalls that flow scenically into the wide, granite gorge.
Take the walk, just under an hour, out towards the swimming hole to see Clamshell Falls in all their glory.
Though it’s a bit out of town, Behana Gorge Waterfall is definitely worth the trip. It is one of the best activities and sights to see outside of Cairns!
13. Check Out the Australian Armour & Artillery Museum
For anyone interested in Australian history and preservation, the Australian Armour & Artillery Museum is the perfect place to visit. The collection in this museum stretches from the 1800’s to the present day.
The museum features armoured vehicles and artillery representing different chapters of history, but with an intentional focus on World War II. You can get up close to the vehicles and review all of the history exhibits.
It is a great activity for all ages, but especially well-suited for the WWII buff in your travel group!
14. Visit Kuranda Birdworld & Koala Gardens
Visit two of Queensland’s finest nature attractions, Kuranda Koala Garden and BirdWorld.
Find your favourite Aussie animal both indoors and outdoors in this park that’s easily accessible by foot from the top of the Kuranda Skyrail.
For a full view of each of the attractions, you will get discounted ticket prices for the 2 attractions combo passes.
15. Bar hop around Cairns
From rooftop sunset drinks at Roco by Crystal Brook and some great beer at Hemingway Brewery or the good ole Irish pub P.J’s.
There are so many bars to take your fancy, from luxury to solo events at the Ultimate party Cairns. You can certainly have a good time bar hopping around Cairns.
Exploring Queensland: Things To See In Cairns Australia
On any trip to Queensland, Australia, Cairns should be a primary destination.
As a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the beauty of the Australian coastline, Cairns has a lot to offer visitors and locals alike.
Whether you’re snorkelling in the jewel-toned waters or hiking through the rainforests, this Queensland city is an absolute gem that must be explored.
Green Island, a stunning tropical island off the coast of Cairns, offers white sand beaches, sea turtles, and various water-based activities. There is also the Cairns Art Gallery, featuring a variety of exhibitions including historical, contemporary, local, and Indigenous art, is a significant cultural attraction in the city.
I suggest you start with the activities above to get the best experience possible!
Frequently Asked Questions about Cairns, Queensland
How many days in Cairns is enough?
Three days are perfect for most people. Spend time exploring Kuranda, a day visiting a reef and maybe some hikes and local beaches
Is Cairns worth going to?
The region of Cairns contains the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and wet tropics rainforests but Cairns city and town are also worth seeing.
What is Cairns best known for?
Cairns Region is known for its world’s most beautiful rainforest and Great Barrier Reef.
When not to visit Cairns?
The low seasons in Cairns coincide with the rains which last November through March. February is generally the rainiest month in Cairns.
What is there to do in Cairns?
The most popular diving tours from Cairns leave every single day to the Great Barrier Reef. The tour takes visitors to explore this world-class reef area. Tourist boats or helicopter flights are possible.
