Menu
Menu
Cairns is the only place in the world where two World Heritage-listed sites can be found side by side. As such, the tropical North Queensland hub has plenty to offer visitors.
If snorkelling and diving off the beach with the resident sea turtles, colourful fish and coral isn’t enough, there’s a glass-bottomed Skyrail that you can ride over the incredible Daintree Rainforest; a waterfront Esplanade with its very own lagoon; and plenty of great culture and food to experience.
Here’s our list of the best things to do in Cairns.
The Cairns Esplanade is perhaps the most frequented of the city’s attractions. Not only is it a go-to for active tourists and locals, it also holds historical significance: this is the spot where the first explorers dragged themselves ashore in the 1800s.
With swampy mangroves on one side, cafés and restaurants on the other and a saltwater lagoon and family-friendly park area at its centre, this community space is a haven for birdlife and ideal for a stroll or family picnic. It’s best captured at dusk, which is also the busiest time.
Gliding over the world’s oldest tropical rainforest in a Diamond View glass-bottomed gondola is the best way to experience the beauty of the Daintree. The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway journeys over the MacAlister Ranges, offering one-way or return trips between the city’s Smithfield Terminal and the village of Kuranda.
There are four stops on the 1.5-hour one-way journey where guests can alight and enjoy the scenery and abundance of nature the ancient rainforest provides. Barron Falls and Kuranda Village are two must-visit stops. Be sure to catch the scenic railway back at the end of the day.
Sheltered waters, the Great Barrier Reef and a diversity of marine life make Fitzroy Island an attractive tropical haven. Situated a 45-minute ferry ride from the CBD, this unspoilt isle is the best spot to snorkel or dive off the beach.
Welcome Bay and Nudey Beach are the most popular sites, each boasting hard and soft corals just metres from the shore, and there’s even a sea turtle rehabilitation centre to explore. Whether you spend a day or stay overnight, Fitzroy is safe and warm year-round.
Home to more than 16,000 specimens, 10 ecosystems and 71 habitats across Tropical North Queensland, Cairns Aquarium opened in 2017 and became the first public aquarium to be built in Australia in 18 years. Visitors can interact with some of the world’s rarest animals and learn about the colourful, mesmerising aquatic wildlife from the Far North’s two World Heritage listed areas – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Submarine simulators, presentations, shark dives and Turtle Rehabilitation Centre tours (post-Covid) make this one of the most sought-after family activities in Cairns.
Crystalbrook Collection has joined the hotel block in Cairns, with two properties opening recently. In addition to its enviable position on the Esplanade, Eleme Day Spa and Rocco Rooftop Bar and Restaurant are two good reasons to spend an afternoon at Riley. Eleme offers personalised treatments and five-star pampering for men, women, couples and groups, with the Eleme Voyages treatments considered the height of luxury. Rocco is the go-to for a sunset drink and light bite or meal. As Rocco is the city’s highest rooftop bar and restaurant, incredible views, vibes and great Mediterranean-style food are givens.
For as long as I can remember I’ve been a writer, combining that with an inquisitive mind and a desire for adventure and cultural immersion, and well, that’s me.
