There are a lot of things to do in Cairns. Cairns is known as the portal to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and is situated in tropical north Queensland. Famous for the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, which tells about indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. Cairns is the ideal location to relocate.
Cairns is among the significant attractions for exploring the fantastic hikes and waterfalls, snorkeling and diving on the pristine coral reefs, cruising to tropical islands, and searching out a few herbal wonders and iconic Cairns attractions.
This tropical, comfortable hub in Queensland is a famous traveler vacation spot from April to November because of its lovely services and great location. You’ll discover several of Australia’s pleasant areas and nature day tours, including scuba diving reef journeys, and helicopter rides, in addition to iconic locations like Nudey Beach and Fitzroy Island!
The following are listed as a few must things to do in Cairns
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is a well-known resident and an amazing part of traveling the state’s north. This is the world’s most significant coral reef system, with a set of 3000 reefs and 900 islands spread across 350,000 kilometers. The main trouble that arises while travelling the Great Barrier Reef is deciding where to start.
It is one of Australia’s extraordinary gifts; the Great Barrier Reef is blessed with the breathtaking sensation of being the world’s most extensive coral reef. The reef includes an abundance of marine lifestyles. It accommodates over 3000 reef systems and coral cays and lots of picturesque tropical islands with a few of the world’s most stunning sun-soaked, golden beaches.
Because of its herbal sensation, the Great Barrier Reef is known as one of the must-visit places and should be a must on your things to do on the Crain’s checklist. It is greater than the Great Wall of China and visible from space. It is a world heritage and one of the major attractions in Cairns.
Visiting Cairns and exploring the Great Barrier Reef should be a must on your things to do in the Cairns checklist.
Following are the places one can wander around when visiting The Great Barrier Reef.
1.1. Great Barrier Reef Islands
Great Barrier Reef has over one hundred islands, from specific and unique islands to the Whitsundays and the exceptional Northern Islands. These islands will redefine your concept of paradise.
1.2. Haggerstone Island
Haggerstone Island is situated at the Great Barrier Reef, approximately six hundred kilometers north of Cairns, along with the rugged Cape York Peninsula.
It is a distinct island retreat in which you can experience the beauty of nature and do as little or as plenty as you like. A specific and unique place, Haggerstone is a personal island that caters to a small wide variety of visitors interested in discovering and experiencing the wilderness around the island.
It’s one of the best islands to spend personal time with your loved ones. Guests can be surprised by the marine existence inside Haggerstone. The island is filled with fish and is surrounded by various great coral gardens inside the world. Haggerstone Island harbors a dense chicken population.
1.3. Brampton Island
Brampton Island is a substantial 770-hectare island surrounded by glistening azure waters, 12 golden sandy beachfronts, and 7 idyllic beaches, which are easily accessible through coral gardens, foot trails, jogging, and walking tracks being easily accessible and visiting efficiently by foot trails, coral gardens and an array of on foot and strolling tracks.
Situated on the southern part of Whitsunday Island Passage, Brampton Island is 50 kilometers south of Hamilton Island and 32 km northeast of Mackay. Visiting Cairns and exploring the above islands are one of the must-do things in Cairns.
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Cairns Esplanade
The Cairns Esplanade is among the well-known places in Australia. It is situated in Tropical North Queensland, Australia. It has been a focus spot for locals and travelers in Cairns.
It is a calming location for every visitor, whether they are backpackers journeying around Australia, people wandering for stunning views for a peaceful evening, couples having an early morning jog, teens strolling around doing activities like skating, or people resting on the grass for lunch, and much more.
Explore Cairns Esplanade
2.1. Cairns Aquarium
Visiting Cairns Aquarium is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Cairns. The Cairns Aquarium is well-known for its various marine lifestyles, with over 16,000 specimens and 10 ecosystems calling the aquarium home; it’s one of the reasons why the Crain’s Aquarium is known for its abundant marine life. Here, you could explore the exceptional style of ecosystems that call tropical North Queensland home.
2.2. Take a Refreshing Dip
Cairns can get quite hot, after all, it’s tropical North Queensland, and nobody is ever accused of being chilly. So, what’s the best way to feel refreshed in this hot weather? By going for a dip inside the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, of course!
This large pool allows you to revel in saltwater swimming without worrying about saltwater crocs. After a fresh dip, make yourself comfortable by lying on the green grass.
2.3. Explore Activities
The Cairns Wildlife Dome is an exhilarating combo, an area where you could attempt ziplining and ropes.
Try your hand at a few great fun, high-gliding activities such as ziplining over crocodiles. Enjoy Local Food The Cairns Night Markets are awesome places, one for buying a scrumptious meal. The Cairns Night Markets are famous for their tasty food, such as delightful Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese meal. After completing a day trip to Cairns, one can go for good food.
2.4. Watch a Sunset
The Cairns Esplanade is a great way to spend an afternoon in the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests; ensure that you end your day by watching a peaceful sunset.
Kuranda Rainforest
Kuranda Rainforest is situated in the North-West of Cairns. One can have an experience of markets to wildlife here. But better than the place, the transport is easily accessible. Get to the place via steam train at Kuranda Scenic Railway, which was built in 1891; it navigates about 15 tunnels, 93 curves, and a bridge passing across the rainforest, steep ravines, and waterfalls in just 2 hours.
Manage your trip to Kuranda in a way so that you can experience everything the rainforest has to offer. Staying in retro mattress and breakfast accommodation, find out about the well-known Kuranda Markets, village shopping, rainforest walks, and attractions. While returning, one can explore around World Heritage Rainforest.
Suppose you want to see flora and fauna. In that case, you may visit the Birdworld Kuranda, which resides over 350 birds and includes Southern Cassowary and Kuranda Koala Gardens, which has all of your favourite Australian animals in one wonderful place.
Kuranda has many eating places and cafes, from which outdoor eating places are one of the best places to enjoy the cooler mountain climate. Kuranda is a lovely blend of quirky surprises, colorful characters, and herbal beauty on top of a rainforest-clad mountain.
When visiting Cairns, exploring Kuranda Rainforest is one of the must-have things to do in Cairns.
3.1. Kuranda Scenic Railway
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is an impressive journey comprising stunning views of picturesque waterfalls, dense rainforests, and steep ravines. This well-known Kuranda scenic railway moves from Cairns to Kuranda. Passing along various bridges, hand-carved tunnels, and impressive waterfalls and into the beautiful Barron Gorge. The travel to Kuranda takes about 2 hours, during a small halt you can get a glimpse of the Barron Falls from the Barron Falls Station.
Kuranda Scenic Railway should be a must on the things to do Crain’s checklist. The Kuranda Scenic Railway works every day all year, except Christmas Day.
Walsh’s Pyramid
Walsh’s Pyramid is an independent peak, which is 922m high, with a wonderful pyramid appearance. There is a steep 6km return distance to the summit.
Walkers can enjoy mind-blowing views of the encircling levels and nearby landscape. Situated on the northern edge of Wooroonooran National Park, inside the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Wooroonooran National Park is open 24 hours. There are frequent, heavy downpours during the rainy months, from December to April. Walkers making plans to climb the Walshs Pyramid are advised to leave early in the morning so that they have sufficient time to return before the dark.
The cooler, drier months from May to September are the best months for strolling around. The climate is pleasantly heated throughout this time, with decreased humidity and temperatures averaging 26°C.
Visiting Walsh’s Pyramid should be a must on your list of things to do in Cairns.
Mount Bartle Frere
At of 1622 meters, Mt. Bartle Frere is Queensland’s highest peak mountain. On a day when the view is clear, the summit provides views from the Atherton Tablelands to the coast. It is a Part of Wooroonooran National Park, the area is protected by specific plants, wildlife, and dense tropical rainforests,
If you wish to hike over this high peak can choose between the eastern trailheads or the western trailheads of Cairns. Only skilled hikers and people who are physically fit should cover the hike to this mountain. Hiking Trails are in their best condition in May and October because the climate is drier or typically cooler at this time. The trek trail is usually closed during the rainy weather. It is also advised to camp a night at one of the campsites after completing the day of the trek.
Exploring the highest peak of Queensland is one of the must-have things to do in Cairns.
Cape Tribulation
This is the area where the rainforest meets the reef, and it this spot also marks the beginning of raw Australia. This magnificent area is full of natural and stunning flora and fauna with a unique aboriginal culture of Cape Tribulation.
If you are short on time, there is a better option for the Cape Tribulation day trip, including Daintree and Mossman Gorge. In Cape Tribulation, one can stroll around magnificent coastal regions, which is also known as the spot where the world’s oldest rainforest meets with the Great Barrier Reef.
After crossing the Daintree River enter the beautiful Daintree lush Rainforest, which is almost untouched by air, noise pollution, and urban development. In Cape Tribulation, travelers can enjoy activities such as taking a refreshing dip in rainforest swimming holes, biking through the rainforest trails, and exploring the Bloomfield track.
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
You can experience an adventure over the beautiful World Heritage rainforest in Cairns’s north thanks to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Up to six people can ride in glass-enclosed gondolas as they travel into the forest canopy, above Barron Gorge, and into the rainforest. The rail spans 7.5 kilometers (4.6 miles) and takes around 1 and a half or 2 hours to return. The Skyrail begins and ends at Caravonica Terminal, approximately 15 minutes from Cairns.
The 2nd destination is Red Peak Station, deep inside the rainwooded area. Get out and take a brief boardwalk by ferns and trees. The third stop provides you with stunning Barron Gorge Views.
The landscape is framed by peaks and covered with lush rainforest, which resides waterfalls and historic trees. A Rainforest Interpretation Centre presents hands-on and visual about the nearby national parks.
The last station is in Kuranda, the “Village inside the Rainforest”, widely known for its markets and artwork galleries. Wander the area to pick up some stuff to take back home and stroll around excellent restaurants and cafes.
There are enough parking areas at the Caravonica Terminal. Skyrail operates a pick-up and drop-off train service and accommodation around the Cairns, Port Douglas, and encircling beaches.
Hot Air Ballooning
Cairns is the best place in Australia for Hot Air Ballooning because of its clear skies and warm weather. The hot air balloon trip in Cairns starts from Mareeba and ends up in Tablelands. If you are someone who loves sunsets, then Hot Air Ballooning is one of the best things to do in Cairns. It is a lifetime experience; also, the trip on the Hot Air Balloons is quietly affordable and has the largest fleet of balloons in Crains. You must add this to your list among the things to do in Cairns, especially if you are in love with the stunning sky.
Green Island
Green Island is an exemplary cay island with a fringing reef stretching a long way out from its lush shores. The islands even have their group of unique flora and fauna also resides dome turtles that one can find chilling in the shallows.
To get to Green Island, one must take a boat from Cairns Harbour. The island is known as Green Island National Park. It is situated 8 miles from the northeast coast of Queensland, and its surface covers about 13 hectares. The island parts are connected with the Cairns section of Barrier Reef Marine Park, a well-known UNESCO world heritage site. Green Islands also has a popular resort with facilities such as observing coral reef life.
Visiting Green Island should be a must on your things to do in Cairns checklist.
Canoeing
The Behana Gorge is an epic location to spend an afternoon exploring, swimming, and taking part in the tranquillity of the Tropical Far North’s remarkable rainforests. This gorge is positioned inside the Wooroonooran National Park, south of Cairns.
Surrounded by the lush rainforest, granite formations, & beautiful sights of the gorge. Behana is a huge open area with its foremost function being a chain of waterfalls coming collectively together at one spot.
One can canoe from the primary waterfall down towards plenty of water features (abseiling, cliff jumping, sliding, swimming & exploring) along with a certified guide. The significant element about Behana Canyon is that one can enjoy whatever they want; there is a compulsion to take part in every activity so people of all ages can participate in activities convenient to them without affecting the joy of other group members.
Therefore the canoeing makes the family members a bit nervous, but it is carried in a fun and secure way by the guides and harnesses. Cairns Canyoning utilizes a vehicle to cover 3.2 kilometers to the Behana Gorge located at Wooroonooran World Heritage National Park.
When people arrive, the guides instruct every member on all the information and rules that one has to follow. Having a canoeing experience at Cairns should be a must on your things to do in Cairns checklist.
Cairns, the beautiful city of tropical north Queensland, is one of the places when considering a trip abroad. From great barrier reef pontoon, exploring Cairns Botanic Gardens, understanding aquatic life at Cairns Aquarium, taking a day trip at Kuranda scenic railway, hauling around Daintree rainforest, taking a gondola at Skyrail rainforest cableway, and witnessing the stunning scenery, there’s a lot and lot to do when in Cairns, so when thinking about what to do in Cairns, this list of things to do in Cairns will help you out to pick up the best places to wander around.
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