Cairns Queensland Main Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

Cairns is one of Australia’s best-known tropical destinations and the main gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforests of Far North Queensland.

Located on the coast of Tropical North Queensland, Cairns combines a lively waterfront, tropical gardens, restaurants, markets, reef cruises and easy access to some of Australia’s most important natural attractions.

About Cairns

Cairns is a compact tropical city surrounded by mountains, rainforest and the Coral Sea.

It is particularly popular with visitors planning trips to the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Kuranda, Port Douglas and the Atherton Tablelands.

The city centre itself is easy to explore on foot, with many hotels, restaurants, cafés and tour departure points located close to the waterfront.

Cairns Esplanade

The Cairns Esplanade is one of the city’s main attractions and stretches for approximately 2.5 kilometres along the waterfront.

The foreshore includes walking paths, parklands, playgrounds, exercise equipment, picnic areas and views across Trinity Inlet.

It is a popular place for walking, jogging, cycling and relaxing in the evening.

Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is a large saltwater swimming lagoon located on the waterfront.

Entry is free, and the lagoon is monitored by lifeguards during opening hours.

Facilities around the lagoon include:

• Swimming areas
• Shallow sections for children
• Public toilets and showers
• Free barbecue facilities
• Picnic areas
• Accessible facilities

The lagoon is especially useful because the natural waterfront around central Cairns is not a conventional swimming beach.

Great Barrier Reef

Cairns is one of the main departure points for visiting the Great Barrier Reef.

Day cruises leave from the Cairns marina for outer reef locations, coral islands and reef platforms.

Activities may include:

• Snorkelling
• Scuba diving
• Glass-bottom boat tours
• Semi-submersible tours
• Marine biology presentations
• Scenic helicopter flights

Green Island

Green Island is a coral cay within the Great Barrier Reef and is easily reached from Cairns by boat.

Visitors can snorkel, swim, walk through rainforest and join glass-bottom boat tours.

Green Island is a popular choice for travellers who want to combine a tropical island with a reef experience in a single day.

Fitzroy Island

Fitzroy Island is another popular day trip from Cairns.

The island combines rainforest, beaches, walking tracks and fringing reef.

Visitors can snorkel, kayak, swim and walk to locations such as Nudey Beach.

Kuranda

The rainforest village of Kuranda is located in the mountains west of Cairns.

Two of the most popular ways to reach Kuranda are:

• Kuranda Scenic Railway
• Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Many visitors travel to Kuranda using one service and return using the other.

Kuranda Scenic Railway

The Kuranda Scenic Railway travels from Cairns through rainforest-covered mountains towards Kuranda.

The historic railway passes waterfalls, bridges and steep sections of the Barron Gorge.

The journey itself is one of the major attractions of a Kuranda day trip.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway travels above tropical rainforest between Smithfield and Kuranda.

Passengers can stop at rainforest stations along the route and explore boardwalks and viewpoints.

The elevated journey provides a very different perspective of the Wet Tropics rainforest.

Cairns Botanic Gardens

The Cairns Botanic Gardens are located at Edge Hill, a short distance from the city centre.

The gardens contain tropical plants from Australia and around the world and are an excellent place to see rainforest vegetation without leaving Cairns.

Walking tracks also extend into nearby rainforest and hill areas.

Daintree Rainforest

Cairns is a popular starting point for day trips and longer journeys to the Daintree Rainforest.

Popular stops include:

• Mossman Gorge
• Daintree River
• Alexandra Lookout
• Cape Tribulation

The Daintree can be visited independently by car or on organised tours from Cairns.

Port Douglas

Port Douglas is approximately one hour north of Cairns by road.

The scenic coastal drive between Cairns and Port Douglas follows the Coral Sea and rainforest-covered mountains.

Port Douglas is another major gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.

Atherton Tablelands

The Atherton Tablelands lie inland from Cairns and provide a cooler highland landscape of rainforest, farmland, waterfalls and crater lakes.

Popular attractions include:

• Lake Eacham
• Lake Barrine
• Millaa Millaa Falls
• Curtain Fig Tree
• Yungaburra
• Granite Gorge

Things to Do in Cairns

• Walk along the Cairns Esplanade
• Swim at the Esplanade Lagoon
• Take a Great Barrier Reef cruise
• Visit Green Island
• Spend a day on Fitzroy Island
• Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway
• Travel on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
• Explore Cairns Botanic Gardens
• Visit the Daintree Rainforest
• Take a day trip to Port Douglas
• Explore the Atherton Tablelands
• Visit local markets and restaurants

Cairns Night Markets

The Cairns Night Markets are located close to the Esplanade and are a popular evening attraction.

Visitors can browse souvenir stalls, gifts, clothing and food outlets.

The markets are conveniently located within walking distance of many central Cairns hotels.

Best Time to Visit Cairns

Cairns has a tropical climate and can be visited throughout the year.

The period from approximately May to October generally brings lower humidity, cooler temperatures and less rainfall.

The warmer wet season from roughly November to April can bring higher humidity, tropical rain and occasional severe weather.

Marine Stingers

Marine stingers can occur in tropical North Queensland waters, particularly during the warmer months.

Visitors should follow local swimming advice and use protective stinger suits when recommended.

Most reef tour operators provide suitable protective suits for snorkelling and diving.

Getting to Cairns

Cairns Airport is located only a short distance from the city centre and receives domestic and international flights.

Taxis, rideshare services, shuttle buses and rental cars are available from the airport.

Getting Around Cairns

Central Cairns is compact and many attractions can be reached on foot.

A car is useful for exploring the surrounding region, including the northern beaches, Atherton Tablelands, Port Douglas and Daintree Rainforest.

Organised tours are also widely available for visitors who prefer not to drive.

How Long Should You Spend in Cairns?

Allow at least 4 to 5 days if you want to combine Cairns with the Great Barrier Reef and Kuranda.

A stay of 7 days or longer provides time to add the Daintree Rainforest, Port Douglas, Fitzroy Island and the Atherton Tablelands.

Suggested 5-Day Cairns Itinerary

• Day 1: Cairns Esplanade, Lagoon and city centre
• Day 2: Great Barrier Reef cruise
• Day 3: Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail
• Day 4: Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge
• Day 5: Fitzroy Island, Green Island or Atherton Tablelands

Travel Tip

Cairns is best used as a base for exploring the surrounding region rather than only as a city destination.

If you have enough time, combine at least one Great Barrier Reef trip with a rainforest experience such as Kuranda, Mossman Gorge or the Daintree.

The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is free to use and is one of the easiest places to cool off after a day of sightseeing.