The Top Things to do in Cairns
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Looking for things to do in Cairns? You've come to the right place! Australia's adventure capital, Cairns is one of the country's true holiday hotspots, home to numerous adventures on both land and sea. As a gateway for people wanting to visit the stunning and expansive Great Barrier Reef, the lush Daintree Rainforest, and the rest of Tropical North Queensland, Cairns serves an outstanding getaway destination for all demographics looking for an unforgettable nature-oriented experience. The tropical climate in Cairns ensures you'll have warm weather to enjoy all the activities the region is famous for like diving, snorkelling, reef tours, bungee & more; simply browse below to find your ultimate Cairns experience here!
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Green Island Ferry Tickets
- Exclusive Bonus
- Best Seller
Fitzroy Island Day Trips from Cairns
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- Best Seller
Budget Great Barrier Reef Day Trip
- Exclusive Bonus
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway Self Drive Tour from Cairns
- Exclusive Bonus
- Best Seller
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Cruise to 2 Reef Locations
- Exclusive Bonus
- Best Seller
Green Island Day Trips from Cairns
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- Best Seller
Great Barrier Reef Cruise with FREE Cairns Aquarium Entry
- Exclusive Bonus
Great Barrier Reef Cruise to Great Adventures Activity Platform
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Green Island Day Trip with Glass Bottom Boat OR Snorkel Hire
- Exclusive Bonus
- Best Seller
Green Island Day Trip with Glass Bottom Boat AND Snorkel Hire
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Cairns Bungy Jumping
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Cairns Aquarium Entry Tickets
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Cairns City Attraction Pass
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Tully River and Barron River White Water Rafting Tours
1 Day Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Package
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Sailing Cruise
- Exclusive Bonus
- Likely to Sell Out
Barron River Half Day White Water Rafting
Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise
Cairns Hot Air Ballooning
Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge Day Tour from Cairns and Port Douglas
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway Tickets
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- Best Seller
1 Day Cairns Green Island & Kuranda Skyrail Package
Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise
Cairns Skydiving
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Cairns Jet Boat Ride
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Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Tour from Cairns
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Cairns 2 Day Reef Cruise & Cape Tribulation Day Tour Package
Cairns Scenic Plane Flights
2 Day Cairns Reef Cruise & Kuranda Day Tour Package
2 Day Cairns Reef Cruise, Green Island and Kuranda Skyrail and Train Packages
Great Barrier Reef Cruise to Marine World Activity Platform
1 Day Cairns Green Island, Kuranda Skyrail and Scenic Railway Package
Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight Package
- Best Seller
Great Barrier Reef Cruise to Moore Reef Activity Platform
Cairns, Kuranda and Port Douglas Attraction Pass
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Rainforestation Nature Park
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Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park Day Entry Ticket
Cairns Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Flight
Cairns Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Cruise to 2 Reef Locations
3 Day Ultimate Great Barrier Reef Cruise Pass
Cairns Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest Scenic Helicopter Flight
Fitzroy Island Half Day Trip on Thunderbolt
Hartleys Crocodile Adventure Park Half Day Tour from Cairns
Flames of the Forest Rainforest Dining Experience
Cairns Lunch and Dinner Harbour Cruises
- Likely to Sell Out
Tjapukai Aboriginal Dance Show and Buffet Dinner
Hartleys Crocodile Adventures
Cairns Buffet Dinner Cruise
1 Day Green Island & Scenic Flight Package
Kuranda Village and Rainforestation Day Tour
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Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome
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Green Island Full Day Sailing Cruise
Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Fly Packages
Kuranda 3 Attraction Package
Paronella Park
Aboriginal Cultural Daintree Rainforest Tour with River Cruise from Cairns
Blazing Saddles ATV Quad Bike Tour
Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Hot Air Ballooning 1 Day Package
2 Day Cairns Reef Cruise & Skydive Package
Kuranda 2 Attraction Package
Top 10 Things to do in - Cairns and surrounds
Outer Reef
#1
Fitzroy Island
#2
SkyRail Rainforest Cableway
#3
Green Island
#4
Bungy Jumping
#5
White Water Rafting
#6
Michaelmas Cay
#7
Hot Air Ballooning
#8
The Cairns Botanic Gardens
#9
Nightlife
#101. Cruise to the Outer Reef
Location:Approx. 1.5 - 2 hours from Cairns
As the Great Barrier Reef is, for many, a once in a lifetime experience, an argument can easily be made that it's worth investing the time and money to get the best possible experience during your time here, and there are few other options in Cairns that can match forking out the dough to make the trip to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The likes of SilverSwift, Quicksilver, Down Under Cruise and Dive and Great Adventures all operate from the Cairns region.
2. Visit Fitzroy Island
Location:Great Barrier Reef
With a reputation as more of a place for locals than visitors, Fitzroy Island provides a solid all-around island destination with plenty of activities that's also quite accessible from Cairns. Fitzroy Island is a destination for the more discerning traveller, offering the likes of hiking, sea kayaking and a range of bars and cafes in addition to the standard snorkelling and lazing in the sunshine.
3. Ride the SkyRail Rainforest Cableway
Location:Cnr Captain Cook Highway & Cairns Western Arterial Road, Smithfield
Hundreds of millions of years old, these dense rainforests form a backbone of the Cairns region and are filled with biodiversity, and Cairns' SkyRail Rainforest Cableway offers easily the best and most accessible way to travel over the rainforest. The SkyRail Rainforest Cableway consists is a 7.5km journey above the treetops, carrying up to 6 passengers in a fully-enclosed cable car with two stops along the way.
4. Visit Green Island
Location:Great Barrier Reef
In terms of accessibility, Green Island just off the Cairns' coast is hard to beat for those looking for a quick and consistently enjoyable spot to do all the Great Barrier Reef essentials without having to devote a large degree of time or money to do so. Semi-submersible rides are a favourite among those with kids, providing a clear look at the fish and turtles that call the surrounding waters home, while glass-bottom boat roads are also a viable sightseeing alternative.
5. Go Bungy Jumping with AJ Hackett Cairns
Location:McGregor Rd, Smithfield
As Australia's only purpose-built bungy platform, it's a rush that is as unique as it is scary. Jumping from the 50m-high platform, which offers outstanding views of the surrounding rainforest and reef is an experience unlike anything else in Far North Queensland.
6. Go White Water Rafting
Location:Various locations
All of the Barron, Russell and Tully rivers are located within reasonable distance of Cairns, and each river offers a slightly different take on the rafting experience. Featuring various grades of rapids and courses that range from scenic and ideal for families all the way up to challenging Grade 4 rapids. Local operator Raging Thunder rafts the Tully and Barron Rivers, while Foaming Fury operates on the Russell and Barron Rivers.
7. Visit Michaelmas Cay
Location:Great Barrier Reef
A tiny reef-island that’s every bit the picturesque postcard-style destination you might expect from the Great Barrier Reef. Michaelmas Cay is a stretch of sand and coral surrounded by vibrant waters that are brimming with marine life. This makes for some truly outstanding snorkelling amongst its characteristic blend of hard and soft corals. Crystal clear waters are the cherry on top of this island sundae, and visibility is typically at a premium here.
8. Go Hot Air Ballooning with HotAir Cairns
Location:1 Spence St, Cairns
A hot air balloon flight with operator Hot Air Cairns can provide you with a tranquil and stunning viewpoint that few other sightseeing opportunities can match. The combination of clear morning skies and the slow, drifting serenity of a balloon flight allows ample time to grab panoramic photos and memories that are much harder to obtain doing anything else.
9. Wander around the Cairns Botanic Gardens
Location:Collins Avenue, Edge Hill
Officially called Flecker Botanic Gardens, the Cairns Botanic Gardens are home to a huge number of unusual plant varieties that you’ve likely never seen before. Tropical flowers give off a wild atmosphere that differs greatly from the standard manicured carnations and roses of other similar facilities and it’s a great way to step back in time a few hundred thousand years.
10. Enjoy the Nightlife
Location:Various locations
The majority of Cairns’ nightlife takes place in the city centre oriented around the popular dining and drinking hubs of Grafton and Shields Streets and it’s here that the city is at its most raucous, with multiple venues offering night experiences that carry on into the wee hours of the morning.