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Things to Do in Cairns, Australia
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Plan language: EnglishMost popular attractions in Cairns, Australia
Things to do in Cairns, Australia include exploring the Great Barrier Reef, just 45 minutes by boat, perfect for snorkeling or diving. Visit the Daintree Rainforest, one of the oldest rainforests on Earth, or take the Kuranda Scenic Railway for stunning views over 37 kilometers of tropical landscape. The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon offers a refreshing swim with views of the ocean edge.
1. Daintree Rainforest
Step into a prehistoric jungle packed with rare wildlife and vibrant green canopies. Encounter crocodiles, colorful birds, and ancient plants on a thrilling rainforest adventure.
Quick facts: Located in tropical North Queensland, it hosts some of the oldest surviving tropical rainforests on Earth, dating back over 135 million years. The area supports a remarkable variety of wildlife including rare cassowaries, tree kangaroos, and unique plant species found nowhere else.
Highlights: The forest canopy creates a lush emerald ceiling teeming with vibrant birds and insects, while eerie ancient ferns and towering spider webs drip with morning dew. Explore the pristine waters of the Daintree River by boat to spot freshwater crocodiles and vibrant jungle kingfishers in their natural habitat.
2. Kuranda Scenic Railway
Ride a historic train through breathtaking tropical rainforest and mountain scenery. See stunning waterfalls, curving bridges, and scenic lookout stops along the way.
Quick facts: The railway travels through 15 tunnels and crosses 37 bridges, including the iconic Stoney Creek Bridge curved spectacularly over a lush gorge. The journey offers panoramic views of waterfalls cascading down ancient tropical rainforest cliffs.
Highlights: Passengers experience a 67-kilometer ride, winding slowly through dramatic mountain terrain with steep climbs reaching up to 328 meters above sea level. The highlight includes a slow stop at Barron Falls lookout, where the roaring waterfall sprays mist onto the train during the wet season.
3. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
Dive into fun with a huge saltwater lagoon perfect for all ages. Experience safe, scenic swimming alongside lively markets and stunning sunsets.
Quick facts: A sparkling saltwater pool covers nearly an acre, offering safe swimming with zero marine stingers all year. The lagoon is right along a vibrant promenade buzzing with weekend markets, food stalls, and public art.
Highlights: Nighttime transforms the lagoon with illuminated underwater lights casting a magical glow in the water. Families love the shallow swimming zones and lush green spaces perfect for picnics and sunset views over the Coral Sea.
4. Green Island
Dive into a vibrant coral reef adventure just minutes from the mainland. Explore underwater wonders and glowing night waters for an unforgettable escape.
Quick facts: The island boasts one of the largest coral reef ecosystems right off its shores, teeming with colorful marine life. It sits just 6.9 kilometers from the mainland, making it an accessible yet tropical escape.
Highlights: A stunning underwater scooter tour allows visitors to glide through vibrant coral gardens, encountering turtles, reef sharks, and schools of fish up close. At night, the island transforms as bioluminescent plankton light up the waters, creating a magical glowing shoreline.
5. Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
Discover rich Indigenous heritage through dance, music, and crafts. Experience vibrant performances and interactive boomerang lessons right before your eyes.
Quick facts: You can learn about over 40,000 years of Indigenous culture through interactive exhibits at this cultural park. The park features traditional dances, didgeridoo performances, and boomerang throwing demonstrations that are both fun and educational.
Highlights: Catch the stunning nightly cultural performance where dancers wear vibrant traditional garb and use fire in captivating storytelling. The boomerang throwing sessions invite you to try this ancient skill, guided by skilled local experts, creating an unforgettable hands-on experience.
6. Barron Gorge National Park
Witness a dramatic cascade plunging into a vast gorge. Experience breathtaking aerial views soaring above ancient rainforest canopy.
Quick facts: Imagine towering rainforest cliffs plunging dramatically into a massive gorge carved by the wild Barron River. This place boasts some of Australia's oldest flora and is home to rare creatures like the Bartle Frere tree frog.
Highlights: A stunning 260-meter waterfall thunders during the wet season, transforming the gorge into a roaring spectacle of water and mist. The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway offers breathtaking aerial views, letting you glide over lush canopy and jagged cliffs.
7. Fitzroy Island
Escape to a tropical island paradise with rich coral reefs and rainforest trails. Experience snorkeling among colorful fish and serene beach relaxation.
Quick facts: An ancient volcanic island surrounded by coral reefs, home to lush rainforests and vibrant marine life. It sits just 45 minutes by ferry from Cairns and offers a quiet escape from city life.
Highlights: Brightly colored coral gardens stretch almost 150 meters from the shore, visible from snorkeling spots along the island's edge. At night, bioluminescent plankton light up parts of the shoreline with an ethereal blue glow, creating an almost magical experience.
8. Palm Cove Beach
A stunning tropical beach with calm waters perfect for swimming. Experience the peaceful lagoon and fragrant palm-lined shore under endless blue skies.
Quick facts: Palm Cove Beach boasts a stunning 7-kilometer stretch of soft white sand lined with swaying palm trees, giving it a postcard-perfect tropical vibe. The calm, clear waters are part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, providing excellent conditions for swimming and snorkeling.
Highlights: The beach features a unique tidal lagoon sheltered by a reef, creating a safe, serene swimming spot that feels like a secret natural pool. Palm Cove’s beachfront is lined with vibrant orchids and frangipani trees, filling the air with a sweet, tropical fragrance that’s unforgettable.
9. Wildlife Habitat
A vibrant hands-on wildlife experience. Get up close feeding exotic birds and exploring tropical creatures day and night.
Quick facts: This wildlife sanctuary allows close encounters with over 150 species of animals and birds, many native to the Australian tropics. Visitors can feed free-flying birds and hold friendly pythons in specially designed enclosures.
Highlights: Visitors can hand-feed colorful lorikeets in an open aviary, ensuring a splash of vibrant feathers and playful pecks right up close. The nocturnal house offers a rare chance to see sleepy critters like sugar gliders and tree frogs in a carefully simulated night environment.
10. Explore Cairns Museum
Explore fascinating local history and natural wonders. Experience interactive exhibits and rare Indigenous collections that bring the region’s past to life.
Quick facts: The museum showcases over 10,000 artifacts illustrating the vibrant cultural and natural history of the Cairns region. Visitors can discover stories from the ancient rainforest to the development of the local sugar industry.
Highlights: An immersive audio-visual experience brings the Great Barrier Reef's ecology to life with stunning underwater footage and interactive displays. The museum houses a rare collection of Indigenous artifacts that offer deep insights into traditional practices and ceremonies.
Where to Stay in Cairns, Australia
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Traditional Sweet Dishes
Lamingtons
Lamingtons are iconic Australian sponge cakes dipped in chocolate and coated with coconut. They are beloved treats often enjoyed with tea or coffee across Cairns and all of Australia.
Pavlova
Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. It is famously topped with fresh tropical fruits like passionfruit and kiwi, reflecting Cairns' vibrant local produce.
Anzac Biscuits
Anzac Biscuits are crunchy oat cookies linked to Australian and New Zealand soldiers from World War I. They are a nostalgic and sweet snack that many locals in Cairns cherish, especially on national holidays.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Barramundi
Barramundi is a popular fish in Cairns and is often grilled or served as fish and chips. This native Australian fish is prized for its mild, buttery flavor and firm texture.
Meat pies
Meat pies are a classic Australian savory snack found in Cairns bakeries and cafes. They are filled with minced meat, gravy, and sometimes vegetables, embodying hearty Australian comfort food.
Kangaroo steak
Kangaroo steak is a uniquely Australian dish, appreciated for its lean and flavorful meat. In Cairns, it is often grilled and served with native bush spices or sauces.
Traditional Beverages
Lemon Myrtle Tea
Lemon Myrtle Tea is an herbal infusion made from the leaves of the native lemon myrtle tree. It has a refreshing citrus flavor and is renowned for its antioxidant properties in Cairns and beyond.
Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Bundaberg Ginger Beer, made in Queensland, is a popular non-alcoholic beverage in Cairns. Its strong ginger flavor and natural fermentation process give it a distinctive and beloved taste.
Tropical fruit juices
Tropical fruit juices in Cairns, including mango, pineapple, and passionfruit, showcase the region's rich fruit-growing environment. These fresh juices are a staple refreshment for locals and visitors alike.
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Most popular day trips
Great Barrier Reef
World's largest coral reef system, excellent for snorkeling and diving.
Daintree Rainforest
Ancient tropical rainforest known for unique wildlife and scenic walks.
Kuranda
Village in the rainforest with markets, wildlife parks and cultural attractions.
Rent a car in Cairns, Australia
Getting there
Airports
Train stations
North Coast Line
From Cairns Airport, take the Skyrail or shuttle bus to the city center quickly and affordably.
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Comments (8)
Bit disappointed by how touristy the area is. The reef tours were pricey and felt rushed. Avoid peak season if you want a quieter stay.
Try the food stalls off the Esplanade at lunchtime, way better prices and quality than the main tourist strip.
To save on transport, grab a daily pass for the public bus system instead of taxis or ride-shares, it’s way cheaper and reliable.
Vibes are chilled but expect tourist crowds everywhere. The night markets offer decent eats, but not much else after dark. Great base for reef tours though.
Cairns feels like a gateway city with limited things to see beyond the natural attractions. Weather was spotty with afternoon rain showers, pack accordingly.