How to see the best of Australia on a short vacation to Cairns
We’re continuing our blog series, Things to Do in Australia, where we outline how you can see all the major Australian Highlights on a short vacation while staying in just one or two cities. So far we’ve talked about how you can see Beaches & Aquatic Life, Wildlife, Rainforest, Outback, Food & Wine, Modern City Culture & Art and Indigenous Culture in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide.
Today we look at one of the most famous gateways to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns (pronounced “cans”). Cairns is a stylish city in Tropical North Queensland. It’s a relaxed city with great food and an laid back atmosphere. Just outside of Cairns you’ll find the only place in the world where two World Heritage Sites meet. You can dive the depths of the Great Barrier Reef or soar above the world’s oldest tropical rainforest.
Here are things you can do in Cairns to hit all the major Australian highlights.
Beaches & Aquatic Life
No visit to Cairns is complete without a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. There are many ways you can experience the Great Barrier Reef.
Go snorkeling, or go diving.
My dive buddy is bigger than yours! They don’t call it great for nothin! What a magical place @tropicalnorthqueensland is. #wally #exploretnq #exploreGBR #seeaustralia #deepseadiversden A photo posted by Divers Den (@deepseadiversden) on
Fly over the Great Barrier Reef in a helicopter.
Austrália – Grande Recife de Corais A photo posted by Mochileiras de Batom (@mochileiras_de_batom) on
Stay dry in a glass bottom boat.
Fly through the water on a seabob
Go Fishing . Some of the biggest marlins in the world are caught off the coast of Cairns.
Find Nemo.
Meet turtles.
Heres the original of the black and white i recently posted. I often saw this very same turtle at breaking patches, GBR, and i could tell this due to a few small white patches at the bottom of his carapace. He would see me (as he has just done in this photo) and literally change directions and swim right up to me. I felt a genuine connection with this wild animal as id see him every couple of days. Such beautiful creatures. A photo posted by uri hancock (@above_and_below_photography) on
Swim with dolphins.
Go whale watching.
Head to the beach. Well, there are no real beaches in the city of Cairns. There is a man-made lagoon by the shore- Cairns Esplanade.
Beautiful day at the Lagoon A photo posted by Dylan van Dijk (@dylanvandijk) on
If you’re craving some time on the beach, head just outside Cairns to get your toes in the sand.
Two hours south of Cairns you’ll find Mission Beach .
Head north towards Port Douglas to visit the famous Four Mile Beach
Closer to Cairns you’ll find Palm Cove.
For an island getaway, take a sail boat out to Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef.
A trip to #LowIsles is in order this wknd Photo by @vaccas #exploreTNQ A photo posted by #exploreTNQ (@tropicalnorthqueensland) on
Wildlife
Cairns and the surrounding areas provide many opportunities to see and learn about the tropical wildlife of the region.
Get up close and personal some of Australia’s most precious and beautiful birds in their rainforest habitat at Birdworld Kuranda.
Clawdia was very excited about her new fascinator which she intended to wear at the Birdsville Races. A photo posted by @meerkatharry on
Meet Kanagroos and cuddle a Koala at the Kuranda Koala Gardens
Yes we Kan! #tbt #australia #kangaroo A photo posted by Daniel Cat (@danicatbh) on
Closer to the city, visit the Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome. Located in a glass dome on top of the Reef Hotel Casino, the Cairns Wildlife Dome lets you get close to cute rainforest animals as they roam freely through their enclosures.
Zip line through the trees.
Zip-line #zoom #cairns #qld #seeaustralia #holiday A photo posted by Laura Fazekas (@lozza261990) on
Meet a crocodile.
A photo posted by ᗷEᑎᒍᗩᗰIᑎ ᗪᗩY (@ben_acaibrothers) on
Or trick your friends into thinking you were almost eaten by a crocodile.
Today I almost got eaten by a crocodile! #closecall A photo posted by Ashley (@aheisner) on
Just north of Cairns, visit Hartley’s Creek for a huge, multifaceted wildlife experience at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Hartley’s Night Adventures and Zootastic Wildlife Encounters. Here you can… See a famous crocodile feeding show…
A photo posted by Georgia Gould (@georgenka) on
Take a selfie with a Kangaroo…
Touch a baby crocodile…
Cuddle a Koala…
Hold a snake…
I can’t believe these kids. #nofear #didntevenhesitate #snakesalive #blackheadedpython A photo posted by Joanna Stevens Kramer (@jstevenskramer) on
And hug a Wombat.
Rainforest
Cairns is, hands-down, the best place in Australia to see the rainforest. Just north of Cairns you’ll find Kuranda, a beautiful village hidden in the tropical rainforest. Here you can experience the rainforest and it’s culture. The best part is the journey to the village. You get to ride on the Skyrail through the rainforest!
Seeing the world through the eyes of a child, with excitement and endless imagination! Do you remember how you felt seeing the #rainforest for the very first time? Photo by @donnaboerema #skyrail cairns #exploretnq #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #qldparks #kuranda A photo posted by Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (@skyrailcairns) on
On the way, stop at 2 rainforest stations…
Red Peak…
And Barron Falls.
Today in the #rainforest it rained and the #barronfalls look magical! View by #skyrail #cairns staff member Rob Kitto #exploretnq #thisisqueensland #qldparks #kuranda #seeaustralia A photo posted by Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (@skyrailcairns) on
In Kuranda, check out the Village Centre, markets, Butterfly Sanctuary and more.
Then, head back to Cairns on a scenic railway ride.
not an ordinary train ride A photo posted by Anne Hartung (@anne_lieschen) on
Further north, past Port Douglas, you’ll find the oldest rainforest in the world, Daintree. There are many ways you can explore Daintree.
Take a guided walk through the jungle.
Stand in the only spot in the world where two World Heritage Sites meet at Cape Tribulation
& A photo posted by natalie rull (@natalierull) on
Go Jungle Surfing.
Cruise through the forest on the river.
Another beautiful evening at the one and only Daintree River Cruise Centre. #crocs #daintreerainforest #cruise #river #birds #fish #winter #schoolbreak #havefun #beautiful A photo posted by Daintree River Cruise Centre (@daintreerivercruisecentre) on
Ride a horse.
Just explore the beauty!
Inside a strangular fig tree, #rainforestmagic by @arianacottam A photo posted by Destination Daintree (@destinationdaintree) on
Outback
Visit the green jungle one day and head out to the red Outback the next on a day trip to Chillagoe- Mungana Caves Park.
Sunday Drives Took us WestDancing Down the Road to the Sound of the Birds Singing @khyorchard #ExploreTNQ #ThisIsQueensland #SeeAustralia @TropicalNorthQueensland A photo posted by LAUREN BULLEN (@gypsea_lust) on
Admiring the #aboriginal #rockart on the overhang above as we enjoy the view towards #chillagoe The Ramparts. #exploringaustralia #thisisqueensland #QldParks #seeaustralia #ausfeels A photo posted by Jodi Noden (@happycoconut_) on
Food & Wine
Cairns has a fix for every foodie and lover of wine. They also have an established coffee shop scene that not only serves up amazing coffee, but also yummy small plates. Head to Grafton Street and Spence Street for a variety of trendy spots.
Quick breakfast before opening the gates to graffiti alley…. It may be raining but there is plenty of room so come down dry off and chill out with the crew @caffiend_cairns See you soon A photo posted by Caffiend in Cairns (@caffiend_cairns) on
For a memorable evening meal, head to The Esplanade. You’ll find a fine selection of eateries along the waterfront. The seafood is especially delicious.
For an amazing steak, head to Waterbar & Grill.
For great seafood and a lovely view, head to Salt House.
Modern City Culture & Art
Cairns is a laidback city with a lively nightlife. It has a large creative scene and several festivals that celebrate the culture of the city. See Cairn’s contemporary art at KickArts. The museum also host workshops where you can make your own art.
Benjamin Werner’s drawing workshop with the Boston Consulting Group is underway in Gallery Two! #kickarts #kickin #benjaminwerner #lightrain #drawingworkshop #bostonconsultinggroup #gallerytwo @bcg @benjaminwerner_ A photo posted by KickArts Contemporary Arts (@kickartscairns) on
At the Cairns Regional Gallery see the works of art by National and International artists, with a strong focus on local and indigenous works.
Visit The Esplanade for public art.
Public art with presence:- #cairns #northqueensland #cairnswaterfront #philippogson A photo posted by Philip Pogson (@philippogson) on
Indigenous Culture
Cairns is a wonderful place to learn about Australia’s Indigenous Culture. The local Aboriginal people have lived on the land continuously for over 40,000 years. The area is steeped in storytelling, art and eye-opening cultural experiences.
Take an Indigenous tour of Daintree. Take a walkabout learn about bush foods and the uses for native plants. Catch your own mud crab for lunch!
Head to Tjapukai to get a deeper understanding of Australia’s diverse Aboriginal heritage. Visit by Day.
Apparently I’m a natural when it comes to spear throwing. Not so great with the #boomerang though. Guess I’ll be the one bringing home the bacon in this tribe. Hah! #maddyjasonarnoldinqueensland #becausewecairns #thisisqueensland A photo posted by Maddy Barber, Kiss92 FM (@maddybarber) on
Spent a bit of time with this fella today. He’s cool as A photo posted by Ieuan (@welshboy69) on
Or by Night.
A trip to Cairns and Tropical North Queensland should defiantly be on your bucket list. Are you ready for your Australian Adventure? Let us help you plane a trip of a lifetime!
Get-A-Trip-Quote or Phone us Toll Free on 1-888-359-2877 (CT USA, M-F 8.30am – 5pm).
Also See:
Things to do in Australia | A Sydney Vacation with All the Australian Highlights
Things to do in Australia | A Melbourne Vacation with All the Australian Highlights
Things to do in Australia | An Adelaide Vacation with All The Australian Highlights
Coming Soon:
Things to do in Australia | A Brisbane Vacation with All the Australian Highlights
Things to do in Australia | A Perth Vacation with All the Australian Highlights.
