Cairns Things To Do - Cairns Attractions - Region Guide

Cairns in Tropical North Queensland is one of Australia’s most popular ‘must visit’ destinations, as it is home to so many natural and precious gifts from ‘Mother Nature’ that have thankfully been protected over the years by green lobby groups.

Environmentalists have banded together over the years, campaigning against the government to ensure our natural environment including the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest are totally protected for future generations with a recognised “World Heritage” status from UNESCO.

We have fresh, unpolluted, clean air all year round with clear blue skies and sunshine, plus tropical temperatures that are perfect for spending endless days on our white sandy beaches that go on for miles and miles or spending countless hours exploring the local, freshwater swimming holes and breathtaking waterfalls.

Great Barrier Reef Australia

Millions of tourists from all over the world flock to Cairns annually to come and see the magnificent Great Barrier Reef that Sir David Attenborough himself says is the most amazing place on the planet with its diverse eco system and huge variety of marine life.

He said it is his personal, number one favourite place to visit and explore before anywhere else in the world, which is saying something as he has seen and experienced so much in his lifetime. 

Daintree & Cape Tribulation Rainforests

Visitors also come to see the oldest rainforest in the world - the Daintree & Cape Tribulation rainforests. Brimming with unique tropical flora and fauna, this lush habitat is home to Boyd’s forest dragons, tree climbing kangaroos, sugar gliders, cassowaries, butterflies and tree frogs.

Pre-historic giant birds, man eating dinosaur crocodiles and the largest cockroach in the world also call this rainforest home, but these are best observed with a tour guide.

The Cairns region would definitely have to be one of the best places to visit in Queensland. The coastal township is nestled between two World Heritage areas, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, enjoying the best of both worlds.

It is a popular spot for honeymooners, families, nature-lovers, adrenaline-junkies, backpackers and anyone who loves the tropics.

It is also the perfect spot to base yourself, if you want to explore the reef or rainforest, go island hopping or enjoy a range of day trips from foodie tours through to wildlife encounters.

In fact, many A-list celebrities regularly choose to holiday in this region, seeking much-needed rest and relaxation in the nearby quiet, yet boutique beachside town of Port Douglas.

Cairns was founded in 1876 and named after the State Governor of the day, Sir William Wellington Cairns, but it wasn’t officially declared a town until 1903 when it had grown to an approximate population of 3,500.

Originally the primary source of income for the region was fishing but once gold was discovered in the north at Palmer River and Hodgkinson River, the population of Cairns grew and the European and Chinese settlers introduced agriculture to the region.

This was the beginning of our sugarcane industry and also when the first fruit orchards were planted in the Atherton Tablelands.

Important historical dates for the region include :-

First elected Mayor of Cairns, R.A. Kingsford (1885)

The development of the Cairns to Herberton train line (1886)

The very first newspaper The Cairns Post launched (1909)

Cairns District Hospital opens (1912)

The opening of Cairns High School (1925)

A royal visit by Queen Elizabeth 11 to Cairns (1954)

The opening of the Cairns Library (1979)

James Cook University opened in Cairns (1995)

And the Olympic torch visiting Cairns on its way to Sydney for 2000 Olympic Games (2000).

Today, Cairns is a popular tourism destination, as well as an important agricultural region and home to many unique and rare flora and fauna. The Cairns region is part of the Wet Tropics, a diverse ecosystem combining reef, rainforest, wetlands and farmland.

It is also home to half of Australia’s bird population and a third of our country’s mammal population, with at least 13 of these mammals not found anywhere else in the world.

It truly is an incredible place to visit.

The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Cape Tribulation Rainforest are the two biggest drawcards of the region and are unlike anywhere else in the world. You can encounter turtles, crocodiles, whales and other marine life in their natural habitat, you can walk through the oldest rainforest in the world and you can learn all about indigenous culture from the Aboriginals themselves.

Cairns really is the ultimate holiday destination as it caters for everyone, whether you are looking for a thrill-seeking adventure, a cultural getaway, just want to kick back with a cocktail at the bar or would prefer a shady palm tree to hang your hammock.

And if you are environmentally-conscious and prefer eco-friendly accommodation and activities, there are plenty of eco options from camping and luxury treehouses through to volunteering on tropical island research stations.

The hardest part is deciding how you want to spend your holiday.

Cairns Is A Safe Holiday Destination

Australia prides itself on having clean air and unpolluted water and Cairns is certainly a beautiful, clean destination. It boasts crystal clear creeks, freshwater swimming holes, lush green rainforest and clean, white sandy beaches with sparkling turquoise waters.

It is hard to find a more beautiful holiday spot.

Cairns is also a safe destination to visit whether you are travelling as a family, as a couple or on your own. The town is very metropolitan and has a strong tourism focus so travellers can feel safe walking around the city streets without the worry of pick pockets or street crime.

The town is also well lit at night which makes it easy to wander around the night markets, eat out in city restaurants or stop for a gelato on the Esplanade.

Accommodation is of a high standard with plenty of good quality hotels, resorts, hostels and campgrounds close by and all have good security and are close to public transport.

Getting around in Cairns is easy and safe with public buses and hire cars available. Most accommodation within the Cairns central business district is within short walking distance to the beach and other attractions. Otherwise you can book a tour and enjoy an air-conditioned bus or boat to your preferred destination.

All tours in Cairns consider safety a priority and provide multilingual tour guides so make sure you request a guide that speaks your language when booking your tour. All the tour operators have strict codes of conduct and safety procedures in place.

They adhere to maximum numbers on all modes of transport including tour boats and buses, they are trained in first aid and only run tours that are completely safe and enjoyable, taking into account the environment, the weather, the wildlife and each traveller’s requirements.

Cairns is a fantastic holiday destination for families as it offers a safe environment with plenty of fantastic, free playgrounds, a large swimming lagoon on the Esplanade with a shallow area for the kids to swim, plenty of parks and also attractions catering for families.

Cairns is also culturally-aware with multi-lingual staff in shops and on tours so travellers from all over the world can comfortably enjoy the region without the worry of language barriers. 

And eating out in Cairns is not a problem either as there are a large variety of restaurants of all national cuisines including Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Italian, French, Thai, Australian and much more. Eating in Cairns also provides a great opportunity to sample the local produce while on holidays.

Far North Queensland has many foodie festivals, music events and carnivals throughout the year that attract locals and tourists who want to experience these exciting tropical events. Some of the biggest annual events early in the year include :

• Chinese New Year Festival (February)
• Undara Rock and Blues Music Festival in the outback (April)
• The incredibly popular Port Douglas Carnivale which is a combination of food, music and entertainment (May)
• Cairns Airport Ironman event which attracts athletes from all over the world (June).

In the second half of the year, the big events include:

• Cairns Indigenous Art Fair known as CIAF showcasing amazing aboriginal artists (July)
• Mareeba Rodeo (July)
• Taste Port Douglas Food and Wine Festival (August)
• The Cairns Tropical Writer’s Festival which attracts high calibre authors (August).
• Other events include the incredibly popular Cairns Ukulele Festival (August
• The region’s annual month-long Cairns Festival (August/September)
• Cairns Amateurs Carnival which is all about fashion, fascinators and fillies as the region’s premier horse racing carnival (September)
• Palm Cove Reef Feast foodie festival (October)
• And the must-visit Opera in the Outback three-day event in Undara (October). It is unlike anything you have ever experienced and there is something quite magical about watching opera performed on a dirt stage in the outback with kangaroos nibbling grass by the stage as the sun is going down.

If you love a holiday that gets your heart racing and is go, go, go all the time, then you will find more than enough activities in the Cairns region to fill your itinerary. Adrenaline junkies are spoilt for choice with skydiving, bungee jumping, extreme white water rafting and scuba diving.

If it’s adventure you are seeking, there are definitely plenty of places off-the-beaten track to explore and get active. Kayaking along the inland rivers or out on the open sea is incredibly popular, as well as river tubing with a guide.

You can also enjoy canyoning, mountain hiking, Kite Surfing at various locations, horse riding on the beach or through the rainforest, snorkelling, jungle surfing, mountain bike riding, bush walking and more.

Cairns Nightlife

When the sun goes down, Cairns comes alive and there is plenty to do if you want to enjoy the balmy evenings. You can take a sunset cruise down Trinity Inlet with a glass of wine, book a sailing dinner cruise, take a hummer ride around town, wander through the night markets and stop for a foot massage or visit one of the many restaurants and bars in town.

For something more unique why not enjoy a fantastic dinner and Aboriginal show, Flames of the Forest dining experience, Cairns Dinner Theatre or you can book one of many wildlife spotting night tours and see by torch some of our nocturnal animals in the rainforest.

And if you are a night owl, there are plenty of nightclubs and live bands playing around town.

Cairns Cultural Parks & Attractions

If you are more into art, culture, food and wine, then you will love Far North Queensland. Those looking for a cultural experience won’t be disappointed as there are a range of foodie tours and cooking classes through the Atherton Tablelands, Aboriginal art classes, indigenous tours, guided walks through the Daintree Rainforest and the coffee trail through the Atherton Tablelands where most of the coffee growers are based.

You can learn how to throw a boomerang, pick up an authentic didgeridoo, buy locally-grown tea and coffee, sample a range of exotic, tropical fruits and learn all about traditional Aussie bush tucker.

Cairns is also an amazing place to learn all about indigenous culture and better understand tropical cuisine.

Cairns Holiday Relaxation

The tropics is the perfect place to relax and unwind and Cairns has a wonderful laid-back vibe to it. Days can easily be spent by the pool, at the beach or cooling off at a local freshwater swimming hole. Maybe a game of golf or a spot of fishing might be more your scene, otherwise a cruise to one of the many island off Cairns.

And as the sun sets you can enjoy a glass of wine aboard a sunset cruise or wander around the night markets before stopping off for a massage and a bite to eat. The relaxed atmosphere and balmy weather in Cairns makes you feel like you are always on holidays…just ask the locals!

Cairns Romance

Honeymooners flock to Cairns and Port Douglas as it truly is one of the most beautiful destinations in Queensland. Deserted palm tree-lined beaches, tropical island resorts, luxurious treehouse resorts and sunset cruises against the backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef, provides an idyllic romantic setting and leaves a lasting impression.

Cairns Wildlife Encounters

There are plenty of places to get up close and personal with the wildlife in Far North Queensland, it just depends what type of wildlife encounter you are after. There are many zoos and wildlife parks in the region specialising in Australian animals, butterflies, birds and reptiles, each one worthy of a visit.

Then there are a range of crocodile cruises on the Daintree River, nightly guided rainforest walks to spot nocturnal animals, boat cruises to the Great Barrier Reef, glass bottom boat and semi-submersible submarine cruises to observe the marine life on the reef and even a turtle rehabilitation centre where you can visit the turtles undergoing rehabilitation.

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is an iconic, natural, marine wonderland stretches 2,300 kilometres and is so large, it can be seen from outer space. It is a thriving ecosystem comprising colourful reefs and an abundance of marine life.

There are around 600 types of hard and soft corals, over 1600 types of fish, more than 100 different jellyfish species, around 30 species of whales and dolphins and over 130 varieties of sharks and rays.

It is one of the most amazing places on Earth and is definitely the number one reason tourists visit Cairns for the first time. It is usually high on the list for most tourists visiting the region and it never fails to disappoint. And while you can snorkel and scuba dive on the reef, you can also enjoy some amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like swimming with the protected dwarf minke whales, swimming with giant potato cods the size of small cars, feeding sharks, walking on the bottom of the ocean with the Seawalker (a spaceman-like helmet so your head and face stays dry) or exploring the reef on a Scuba Doo (a small motorised underwater vehicle for one which keeps your head dry and has a 180 degree viewing window) and cruises around at 2.5 knots).

Cairns has the Great Barrier Reef on its doorstep and visitors naturally want to visit the reef and explore this beautiful marine park when they visit Australia. There are many ways to enjoy the reef including sailing, day cruises, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, island-hopping, glass-bottom boat, semi-submersible submarine, Sea walker, scuba diving and snorkelling.

The choices are endless and it really depends how wet you want to get and how active you feel, but all offer incredible and memorable experiences.

The Daintree Rainforest

Believe it or not but the Daintree Rainforest is the oldest surviving rainforest in the world, even older than the Amazon. It has over 3,000 plant species and some even date back to the dinosaur age, which is amazing. The rainforest is also home to many endangered animals, over 12,000 types of insects and an array of wildlife unique to the region including the Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo and the cassowary.

There are many ways to explore and enjoy the Daintree Rainforest and it is spectacular any way you choose. You can book a guided tour and take a ride along the Daintree River to spot crocodiles and other endmic wildlife, you may also book a privater charter rainforest guide to show you and your group some of the hidden secrets of the rainforest that other visitors may not see. You may also try jungle surfing on ziplines above the canopy of trees or take a self-guided walk along the many boardwalks throughout the Daintree.

There are also indigenous guided tours and wildlife tours, providing an insight into native bush foods and the various wildlife that call the rainforest home.

Cairns Attractions

Apart from the reef and rainforest, there are many other great day trips or attractions and things to do right in the heart of Cairns. Some of these include Skyrail Rainforest Cableway which is an amazing ride in a cable car high above the ancient rainforest trees, the fully restored historic Kuranda train and Scenic Railway which is known as one of the great train journeys of the world as the train snakes its way through the rainforest. 

For an indigenous cultural experience you can visit Rainforestation Nature Park where you can cuddle a koala or a crocodile, ride around in an old world war two amphibious vehicle and also enjoy learning about Aboriginal culture, hunting and dancing.

For the active family you can’t go past Sugarworld Water Park with its waterslides and swimming pools, learning how to waterski on the man-made lake at Cairns Cable Ski or taking a dip at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon on the Cairns waterfront.

There are also plenty of wildlife parks, museums and day tours available. You can basically do as much or as little as you like, there are activities and attractions to suit even the fussiest traveller.

The Atherton Tablelands

Only an hour away from Cairns is the Atherton Tablelands (sometimes known as Cairns Highlands) which is a wonderful patchwork of farmland growing local produce, coffee, tea and exotic fruits. The region has a cooler climate than Cairns and provides the ideal conditions for growing exotic fruits and vegetables which are exported to the rest of the world. In fact, many visitors come to this region specifically to taste the amazing produce and discover the more unusual fruits like soursop, carambola, custard apple, jackfruit, mangosteen, rambutan, sapodilla and vanilla beans, as well as the popular fruits like mangoes, lychees, pineapples and papaya.

The region also has some of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls which can be enjoyed on a tour or by self-driving on ‘The Waterfall Circuit’, you can do the coffee trail, take cooking classes using locally-grown delicacies or pick strawberries when they are in season. And if you are after something a little different, why not take in the views of The Tablelands by hot air balloon, visit the Mareeba Wetlands which is a birdwatcher’s paradise or take in a rodeo.

The Atherton Tablelands has some of the most beautiful scenery and if you are lucky, you can sometimes even spot a platypus in one of the local creeks.

Markets of Tropical North Queensland

One of the best things about being on holidays is visiting the local markets and leisurely strolling from stall to stall. Probably the most popular market in the region is the Port Douglas Market which is held every weekend, providing an eclectic mix of art, craft, jewellery, fashion, food and trinkets, right on the beachfront.

The Cairns Esplanade Market, the Tanks Arts Centre Market, Kuranda Rainforest Market and Palm Cove Market are also really great markets with a wide variety of stalls and unique items for sale. And if you are travelling to the Atherton Tablelands, there are fantastic country markets held once a month.

If you are staying in Cairns, the Night Markets are a must-visit as they are full of souvenirs, locally-grown coffee and fantastic cheap massages. And one of the best markets of all is the bustling Rusty’s Food Market in Cairns which is open Thursday through to Sunday each week and is a lively atmosphere of stalls selling exotic fruits, fresh vegetables, baked goods, organic produce, coffee, freshly squeezed juice and much more.