Where the rainforest meets the reef, Cairns is more than just a tropical adventure hub. It’s also a pretty good place to bring your favourite person. If you’re looking for romantic things to do in Cairns, you’ll be spoilt for choice, with scenic flights, sunset cruises, waterfalls and nature adventures all on the cards.
Here are some great date ideas in Cairns you can try with your loved one. Just don’t blame us if you end up extending the trip.
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1. Take to the skies on a scenic helicopter ride from Cairns
Forget the usual dinner date night. Seeing Cairns from a helicopter is a pretty memorable way to spend an arvo together. Fly over the Great Barrier Reef and look out for turtles and rays in the water below or take in the ancient Daintree Rainforest from above.
2. Set sail on a Cairns sunset cruise
Fancy swapping dinner and a movie for an evening on the water? A sunset cruise is a simple thing to do in Cairns for couples that don’t want to spend a lot of time planning something. Imagine holding a cold drink while the sun hides behind the mountains and golden hour sets in. That sounds pretty romantic, doesn’t it?
3. Chase waterfalls together
Why not escape the city for a couple of hours?
Drive into the Atherton Tablelands and go waterfall hunting together. Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls are two beautiful spots with rainforest scenery and plenty of excuses to get out of the car and spend some time outdoors. If you don’t feel like driving, you can also take a tour from the city. Too easy.
4. Float into the sunrise on a Cairns hot air balloon
Drift above the Atherton Tablelands as the sun comes up, with rolling hills and rainforest stretching below (a pretty good excuse to get up early if you ask us).
Hot air ballooning is a unique date idea in Cairns. And if you’re thinking about popping the question, we can’t think of a better backdrop.
5. Spend an evening at Paronella Park
A bit of history, beautiful scenery and a castle lit up after dark?
Visit Paronella Park at night and enjoy The Darkness Falls Tour, with the castle, gardens and waterfalls taking on a completely different feel after sunset.
Take a relaxed stroll together, soak up the atmosphere and try not to feel like you’ve wandered onto a film set.
6. Stargaze under the Southern Hemisphere sky
Stargazing has a pretty strong case for being one of the more romantic things to do around Cairns. Head to the Atherton Tablelands on a clear night and look up at constellations through a telescope. Guided experiences come with all the stargazing know-how, so you can simply sit back and enjoy the view. It’s low-key, a little bit magical and a great way to stay out late.
7. Explore Cairns Aquarium by twilight
Looking for a fun date idea in Cairns? Aquarium by Twilight is an after-hours guided tour through Cairns Aquarium as the nocturnal residents start waking up. Sharks, rays and groupers all get busier after dark and there’s an optional three-course dinner if date night still needs feeding.
8. Go wildlife spotting after dark
If you’re both the kind of people who get excited about spotting wildlife, this one’s for you. Join a small group rainforest wildlife night tour with a naturalist guide and head out on the rainforest trails after dark. You might spot platypus, Lumholtz’s tree kangaroos, possums or even the elusive musky rat-kangaroo along the way, with dinner and refreshments included. Who needs dinner and a movie when you can have a rainforest, a spotlight and a few very curious locals instead?
Make a weekend getaway of it
Why not turn the date into a weekend getaway? With so many romantic things to do in Cairns, the hardest part might be choosing what makes the cut. Leave some room for slow mornings, spontaneous plans and the odd cocktail after a day out exploring.
Staying at Oaks Cairns Hotel puts you close to the city’s restaurants, bars and waterfront, so you can head back for a comfortable night’s sleep when your feet have had enough.
