Cairns, Australia: travel guide
Tropical gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest
Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef — a tropical paradise perfect for reef diving, rainforest adventures, and island hopping.
About Cairns
Cairns is the main base for exploring tropical far north Queensland, with the Great Barrier Reef offshore and rainforest rising behind the coast. The town itself is small and informal, with a waterfront esplanade and a harbour from which the reef boats depart.
Things to do in Cairns centre on snorkelling and diving trips to the outer reef and islands, plus day trips into the Daintree rainforest and up to Kuranda by scenic railway or cableway. The Atherton Tablelands, with their waterfalls and crater lakes, are a quieter change of scene.
Cairns suits divers, nature lovers and anyone building a Queensland itinerary. The best time to visit Cairns is the drier winter months, roughly June to October, when seas are calmer and the weather less humid.
- Country
- Australia
- Currency
- AUD
- Time zone
- Australia/Brisbane
- Nearest airport
- CNS
Last updated
Top places to visit in Cairns
Great Barrier Reef (Green Island)
coral-reef · 4.3 rating · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate
A coral cay 27 km off Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef — snorkel, dive and glass-bottom-boat over vibrant coral gardens.
Daintree Rainforest
rainforest · 4.7 rating · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate
The world's oldest surviving tropical rainforest, where the jungle meets the reef — boardwalks, croc cruises and wildlife.
Palm Cove Beach
beach · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A tranquil palm-lined beach village north of Cairns with a jetty, resort dining and a slow tropical pace.
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
cableway · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry $62 (≈ ₹4,120)
A 7.5 km gondola gliding just above the World Heritage rainforest canopy to Kuranda, with rainforest boardwalk stops.
Mossman Gorge
gorge · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A dramatic river gorge in the Daintree with rainforest walking tracks, swimming holes and Indigenous Dreamtime walks.
Crystal Cascades
swimming-hole · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A series of freshwater swimming holes and cascades in rainforest close to Cairns, reached by an easy paved walk — free.
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
lagoon · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A free saltwater swimming lagoon on the waterfront with a boardwalk, BBQs and the departure point for reef tours.
Cairns Botanic Gardens
garden · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Lush tropical gardens showcasing rainforest and Aboriginal plant-use, with boardwalks and rainforest lake trails — free.
Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
beach · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A long, palm-backed golden beach at Port Douglas — swim in the stinger net, walk the sand or climb Flagstaff Hill.
Kuranda Scenic Railway
scenic-railway · about 1.8 h · entry $76 (≈ ₹5,060)
A heritage railway climbing through rainforest, gorges and 15 tunnels to the mountain village of Kuranda.
Cape Tribulation
coastal-rainforest · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
Where the Daintree rainforest tumbles onto Coral Sea beaches — remote walks, croc-watch boardwalks and jungle-fringed sand.
Fitzroy Island
island · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate
A rainforest-and-reef national-park island 45 minutes from Cairns — snorkel off Nudey Beach, hike to the lighthouse.
Things to do
- Great Barrier Reef Snorkel & Dive Cruise Cruise · 8 h · from AUD 235 per person
- Kuranda Skyrail & Scenic Railway Combo Tour · 8 h · from AUD 145 per person
- Daintree & Cape Tribulation Day Tour Tour · 11 h · from AUD 199 per person
- Green Island Half-Day Reef Trip Cruise · 5 h · from AUD 129 per person
- Tully River White Water Rafting Adventure · 10 h · from AUD 175 per person
- Cairns Hot Air Balloon Sunrise Flight Adventure · 4 h · from AUD 265 per person
Day trips and tours
- Great Barrier Reef Discovery Day 8 h · from AUD 235
Where to stay in Cairns
- Cairns Waterfront about AUD 3,000 per night
Tropical gateway to reef
- Palm Cove about AUD 300 per night
Palm-lined beach village north of Cairns with resorts and a slower pace.
- Port Douglas about AUD 320 per night
Boutique tropical town — gateway to the Reef and Daintree, with Four Mile Beach.
Hotels
- Reef House Palm Cove 5-star · AUD 300 to AUD 650 per night
- Crystalbrook Riley 5-star · AUD 260 to AUD 550 per night
- Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns 5-star · AUD 280 to AUD 600 per night
- Pullman Cairns International 5-star · AUD 200 to AUD 400 per night
- Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort 3-star · AUD 35 to AUD 160 per night
Where to eat
- Ochre Restaurant Modern Australian, Native · about AUD 75 per person
- Dundee's on the Waterfront Seafood, Australian · about AUD 65 per person
- Prawn Star Seafood · about AUD 50 per person
- Salt House Modern Australian · about AUD 60 per person
- Hemingway's Brewery Cairns Wharf Pub, Australian · about AUD 45 per person
- Nu Nu Restaurant Modern Australian, Asian · about AUD 110 per person
Getting to Cairns
Airport: Cairns (CNS)
How visitors arrive in Cairns
- Flights to Cairns Airport By air · common
Cairns Airport is described as the primary international gateway into the region. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Spirit of Queensland train By train from Brisbane · possible
Queensland Rail connects Cairns with Brisbane. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Drive up the Bruce Highway By road from Brisbane · possible
The Bruce Highway runs about 1,700 km north from Brisbane. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Airport shuttle buses to the city
Shuttle companies including Airport Connections and Coral Sea Coaches run transfers from the airport to the city. The guide advises booking before you arrive. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Cairns Taxis from the airport
Cairns Taxis pick up at the airport and take you door to door. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Book a shuttle before you arrive; the domestic and international terminals are within walking distance of each other. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus
City buses in Cairns run on routes that start and end at the corner of Lake and Shield Streets in the centre.
- Car Rental Self useful for some trips
A car is the practical way to reach attractions around Cairns unless you join a tour, with rental desks at the airport and in the city centre.
- Ride Hail
Ride-hailing, including Uber, operates in Cairns and can be booked through the app for trips around the city.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Backpacker job-deposit
Major tourist zones
Online "casual work" offer demands $50–200 deposit for "uniform/training"; job doesn't exist.
How to avoid it: Never pay deposit for a job before starting. Use official jobactive portal.
Best time to visit Cairns
- Jan 32°C
- Feb 32°C
- Mar 31°C
- Apr 30°C
- May 28°C
- Jun 27°C
- Jul 26°C
- Aug 27°C
- Sep 29°C
- Oct 30°C
- Nov 31°C
- Dec 32°C
More in Australia
Frequently asked questions about Cairns
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Cairns?
- The highest-rated places in our Cairns guide are Daintree Rainforest, Palm Cove Beach, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Crystal Cascades, Cairns Esplanade Lagoon.
- Where should I stay in Cairns?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Cairns: Cairns Waterfront, Palm Cove, Port Douglas.
- How do I get around Cairns?
- Ways to get around Cairns covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Cairns?
- Scams reported to us for Cairns include Backpacker job-deposit. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Cairns?
- Average daytime highs in Cairns run from 26°C in Jul to 32°C in Dec.
- Which airport is nearest to Cairns?
- The nearest airport to Cairns has the code CNS.