The best things to do in Cairns

Queensland’s tropical northern city Cairns is a natural paradise – it’s the launching pad for trips into Unesco reserves such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Heritage Forest. Swimsuits , hiking shoes and sunscreen are a must if you’re planning to make the most of this Australian city and everything it has to offer.

Once you're done mingling with tropical fish or hiking through rainforests, there are restaurants and markets to explore back in the CBD before resting up at one of the city's best hotels. Read on for our traveller’s guide to Cairns – from where to base yourself to some of our favourite things to do.

Best time to visit Cairns

Cairns is beautiful no matter when you visit, but heading there during shoulder season allows you to truly bask in nature’s glory – without crowds of tourists peering over your shoulder. The winter months between April and May or in the warmer months of September or October are some of the best, and driest, times to visit.

Where to stay in Cairns

Luxury Australian hotel operator Crystalbrook Collection has several fantastic Cairns hotels and serviced apartments. Sleek, modern and filled with art, Crystalbrook Flynn is set on the waterfront with views over the Coral Sea, while the Crystalbrook Bailey is within easy walking distance of major attractions like the Cairns Aquarium.

Meanwhile, perched between Marlin Marina and the Coral Sea, you’ll find the Shangri La , and a stone’s throw from the Esplanade’s bustling restaurant scene, Accor has recently opened the doors to its newest Mercure hotel.

Things to do in Cairns

Explore the Great Barrier Reef

If you’re fascinated by marine life, there’s no better place to explore it than the Great Barrier Reef. Listed as a natural wonder by Unesco, its rainbow coral gardens and diverse marine life are one of the most spectacular sights in the world. With more than 1,500 different species of fish and 400 types of coral, it’s truly a sight to behold – and Cairns is right on the edge of it.

Often referred to as “the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef”, the city is home to a great number of tour operators who will help ensure you have a front row seat to the reef’s “great eight”, which includes rays, clownfish, Maori wrasse, whales and more. There are many ways to experience this wonder, from snorkelling, scuba diving or hopping on an underwater scooter. Prefer to stay dry? Opt for a ride on a glass bottomed boat, submarine or helicopter. Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel leads fantastic trips out to the reef, combined with Indigenous cultural guides for a deeper understanding of the reef’s place in Australia’s history.

Hike through Wet Tropics World Heritage Forest

Spanning nearly 900,000 hectares, the Wet Tropics – a World Heritage-listed Forest – teems with sprawling mangroves, gorges, coral reef-lined beaches and waterfall pools. Nature enthusiasts will love it here: you’ll find flora and fauna relicts of the great Gondwanan Forest that covered Australia 50 to 100 million years ago, as well as the closest surviving relatives of the marsupials and other animals that originated in rainforest ecosystems. 

The Douglas Track hike is a day hike of medium difficulty which goes past the Stoney Creek swimming hole and the Kuranda Scenic Railway before opening up onto Glacier Rock lookout: a vantage point with coastal views. (Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and make the most of Stoney Creek on your return.) For those looking for a real challenge, tackle Mount Bartle Frere: Queensland’s tallest mountain at 1,622m above sea level. Camp overnight and watch the sunrise over the Atherton Tablelands, fringed by mountains and blue waters in the distance.

Laze around on the best beaches in Cairns

If palm trees and white sand are more your speed, you’ll be spoilt for choice along Cairns’ coastline, where you’ll find azure blue waters lapping at soft, white sand shores. 

You'll find many of the best beaches just to the north of Cairns: Trinity Beach leads the pack with an array of resorts, low-key restaurants and sandy stretches ideal for basking in the sun. Holloways Beach, a short 10-minute drive from the city, is another fantastic site to spread out a towel under tropical foliage. For a more peaceful spot, venture to palm tree-lined Ellis Beach, which features both pillowy soft sand and volcanic pumice giving way underfoot.

Eat, drink and swim your way through Cairns Esplanade

The word “boardwalk” doesn’t do Cairns’ sweeping esplanade justice. Lined with fantastic restaurants, bars, art and natural landmarks, a day spent meandering around the city’s iconic waterfront is a must for any itinerary. Families will love Cairns Lagoon, a lifeguarded saltwater swimming area with barbecue pits, while foodies should head to Boardwalk Social for the gastropub lunch of champions. As the evening draws near, scale the stairs to Oak & Vine for sundowners overlooking the Coral Sea.

If you’re visiting between 23 August and 1 September, the esplanade will be transformed into an underwater world of light and colour in the evenings. Reef Lights , a lightshow that honours the Great Barrier Reef, brings some of the reef’s most curious inhabitants to the esplanade in ingenious light trickery amid neon coral landscapes. 

A day trip from Cairns to Kuranda

Nestled between the treetops of the Wet Tropics, high up on the mountain, the village of Kuranda has preserved its colourful heritage. Getting there is half the fun, and the best way to do so is by hopping on the Kuranda Scenic Railway , a historical train line that takes you through lush rainforests and roaring waterfalls. Alternatively, you can float over Barron Gorge National Park in one of the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway’s cable cars.

Once in Kuranda , explore its heritage markets (ideal for picking up unique Australian souvenirs) or get in touch with nature at Rainforestation , a park that celebrates the local ecology and Indigenous Aboriginal culture. It’s also a fantastic entry point to the Barron Gorge National Park, which is filled with stunning hikes for adventurous visitors.

Cairns Night Markets

Great gourmet food and gifts are all on the docket during a trip to Cairns Night Markets . Its 130 stalls are abuzz every night of the year, proudly displaying the city’s best handicrafts, bush hats, hand-dyed clothing and Indigenous artwork, as well as retail and food outlets. 

The food court is a melting pot of cuisines, with strong Asian representation alongside classic Aussie seafood, sweet shops and churros specialists. Located on the Cairns Esplanade, a visit to the night market is the perfect way to end a day exploring this majestic city.