The best of Australia all within a few hours’ drive? Yes, we Cairns.
When the humidity of the tropical north gives you its life-affirming hug, you know this will be a holiday that hits differently. Cairns offers an array of cool things to do to suit pretty much any holidaymaker, and locals know best.
Go for the reefs, rainforests, romance, relaxation and family-friendly fun. Stay for the warm welcome, delicious food and drinks, and absolutely glorious weather.
Here is the local guide to places of interest in Cairns to explore during your holiday.
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Ease into it in Cairns...
Depending on how long you’ve got in paradise, we recommend starting things off with a morning stroll along Cairns’ Esplanade to find your feet and take stock of what the tropical north has to offer. From local markets and tropical gardens to the Esplanade and Lagoon, these are a few must-do activities in Cairns.
Start at the opposite end of the Lagoon (there’s free parking available) because after you’ve walked up an appetite, you can stop in at Guyala Cafe. There’s great coffee and brekkie options.
If it’s the weekend, head over to Rusty’s Markets and get a taste of exotic fruits, seafood, international foods, bric-a-brac and hand-crafted goods at more than 180 stalls. If you’re visiting during the summer, don’t go without trying the mangoes, lychees, pineapples and plenty more showing up around the market.
For an evening experience, head to Cairns Night Markets, where you can get a bite to eat from the international food court or try a sweet treat like churros, gelato or waffles.
The locals love coffee from Annee’s (an iced coffee bar with a cult following), pastries from Frenchie’s and fresh tropical fruits from literally any stall.
If the littlies are getting unruly, Muddy’s Playground is a great (and free) place for the kids to blow off some steam. It’s on the esplanade, and you can grab some lunch in the form of burgers or tacos at Muddy’s Cafe.
For a change of pace, wander through the Cairns Botanic Gardens, one of the top places of interest in Cairns with tropical plants and rainforest scenery. It’s an easy addition to a Cairns day out.
When you’re sufficiently muddied out, head over to Cairns Aquarium and let the kids’ imaginations run wild in an underwater world of tropical beauty. We’d recommend the Turtle Hospital Tour where you can get up close and personal with one of the coolest creatures in the sea.
Chill out with a sunset swim at the Lagoon (the kids will love this one) and then head out to any one of Cairns’ tantalising restaurants and eateries.
Snorkel, dive and fly over the Great Barrier Reef
OK, we’ve given you a day to settle in. Now it’s go-time.
Snorkelling or diving at the Great Barrier Reef is one of the coolest things to do in Cairns. It is a wonder to behold, and you’ll have to stop your jaw from dropping (you know, being underwater and all) the first time you see the bursts of endless colour in the coral and marine life.
There’s an array of options and operators to choose from, and there are half-day and full-day cruises available. For a super cool reef experience, why not add a helicopter ride to your dive? You can cruise via boat and fly home, or vice versa. You’ll see the Great Barrier Reef in all its wonder from both air and sea, and you’ll save a stack of time while you’re at it. Check out Down Under Cruise & Dive for options.
If you’re worried about your kids walking off a boat directly into the middle of the ocean, there are more family-friendly options that will keep the kids amazed and nearer to land. Try a half-day trip to Fitzroy Island where they can swim and snorkel among the colourful fish just metres from the beach. Or make a day of it on Green Island, where you can snorkel, swim and explore the rainforest before heading back to Cairns.
Drive and explore between Cairns and the Daintree
There’s just as much to see and do on land (and above it). Consider this your Cairns guide to some of the most picturesque flora and fauna of the region. The Daintree Rainforest is the place Sir David Attenborough described as “the most extraordinary place on earth”. Magic.
You can book a full day tour and experience it as part of a group. But if you’re with the littlies, it may be best to hire a car and make your own way, even over a couple of days if you don’t want to pack it all into one hectic day.
Cairns to Kuranda
Start with a nice short hop from Cairns to Kuranda. It’s about a 35-minute drive, and you’ll find the excellent Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Allow a few hours depending on which experiences you choose. Locals recommend taking the Skyrail out and railway back in to really get the full experience.
If you’re travelling with animal lovers, Kuranda is also home to attractions including Koala Gardens, Rainforestation Nature Park, Birdworld and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.
If waterfalls are more your thing, Barron Falls can be a great addition. For a little more waterfall action, head towards the Atherton Tablelands to see Millaa Millaa, Zillie and Ellinjaa Falls.
Palm Cove and Port Douglas
From Kuranda take the coast road to Palm Cove (35 minutes). There is a glorious stretch of beaches to stop at, and Palm Cove has a plethora of restaurants along the beach, making it a great spot for lunch and dinner. The locals love quaint little bar Third on the Left, which has a cracking selection of wines, boutique share boards and delicious toasted sandwiches. For more family-friendly fare, hit up Lucky Fish. What’s not to love about crispy fish and chips while relaxing by the beach?
About a 40-minute drive further and you reach Port Douglas. It speaks for itself with its array of fancy dining options, but if you land on a Sunday, you should definitely check out the Port Douglas Markets. The market is surrounded by shady, swaying palms and overlooks the Coral Sea, with vendors selling everything from handmade bric-a-brac and craft through to food, coffee and local produce. If you need to chill, a must-do is Four Mile Beach (it’s not just a clever name) where you can relax all day.
Mossman Gorge and the Daintree
After Port Douglas has seduced you with its wares, it’s just a 25-minute drive north to Mossman Gorge.
Get set for your first taste of the magnificent Daintree Rainforest. Here you can take your pick from walking trails that snake through the calming rainforest, suspension bridges that swing in the rainforest canopy. Stop in at the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, a First Nations eco-tourism experience that shares culture and connection to the local Kuku Yalanji people. If you want to go a little deeper, the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk is a guided experience led by the locals.
OK, it’s time to go deeper into the Daintree. It’s the longest stretch, but the 1 hour 40 minute drive from Mossman Gorge to Cape Tribulation, including a ferry ride across the Daintree River, is well worth the trip. If you’re keen on crocs, stop at the Daintree River and go on a crocodile spotting tour.
Welcome to one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Spend your time wandering the various boardwalks (the Madja and Dubuji boardwalks are absolutely magical and not too taxing). Spot a cassowary, go zip-lining through the canopy, or simply take in the unique plants and wildlife. The Mount Alexandra Lookout is our pick. It’s a breathtaking view across the Daintree and towards the coast.
The return drive to Cairns takes about three hours. Hopefully the kids sleep the whole way!
Eat, drink and be merry
You’re back in Cairns after a huge few days. Now it’s time to relax, refuel on some local fare and imbibe with the best of them. Consider this the foodie bit of our Cairns guide.
For great brekkies and coffee, locals love Noa in Edge Hill, Nu Nu in Palm Cove for breakfast with cocktails (yum), Bang & Grind on the Esplanade, or try Wharf One.
For lunch and dinner, try Prawn Star where you’ll be served fresh seafood on a boat in the Marina; Villa Romana, a Cairns institution that serves delicious, well-priced Italian food on the Esplanade; Salt House at the Marina, where lunch is a relaxed affair and dinner gets a party vibe with DJs.
For drinks and tasty food nothing goes past the rooftop views at Oak and Vine Cairns, set atop Oaks Cairns Hotel. It’s great if you’re after a deeply relaxing setting with glorious views over the Esplanade.
You can also try The Conservatory Bar, Hemingway's Brewery and Three Wolves Cairns.
And there you have it, you’ve read about many of the cool things to do in Cairns. Now what’s going on your bucket list?
