Sightseeing

Sightseeing in Cairns revolves around visiting the natural wonders that lie on the doorstep of the city, primarily the Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef. Once you have explored these outstanding natural attractions, you can fill your days with visits to the outlying islands of Fitzroy and Green or simply pass the time strolling the focal point of Cairns, the Esplanade, or swimming in its artificial lagoon.

Daintree National Park

Part of the UNESCO-protected Wet Tropics, this rugged national park is one of Cairns highlights. Spanning more than 140,000 acres, the park takes in well-preserved rainforest, craggy mountains, clear water streams and rivers, and rare wildlife. The breathtaking scenery is best observed from the park's hiking trails, on a slow cruise along the Daintree River or from the cable car ride that connects with Kuranda.

Great Barrier Reef

The world's biggest reef is divided into inner and outer parts, with most visitors making trips to the former, which is easily accessible. The sheltered inner reef can become crowded with boatloads of day-trippers, with Hastings Reef, Michaelmas Cay and Norman Reef being popular stops on most day cruises. If you want to experience the reef in greater detail, consider an overnight diving trip to the more remote outer reef. Here the Coral Sea harbours turtles, manta rays, minke whales and the like while Bougainville Reef teems with colourful fish.

Atherton Tablelands

This fertile plateau southwest inland from Cairns spans over 30,000 square kilometres of land with volcanic origins. Natural attractions here abound including lakes, national parks and volcanic craters. Among the hotspots worthy of exploration are the lava tubes in Undara Volcanic National Park and the Curtain Fig Tree near Yungaburra, the largest tree in the tropical north.

Crystal Cascades

Just a short drive inland from Cairns' Esplanade, these pretty falls are a popular daytrip destination for picnicking travellers. The water that feeds the falls first passes through a gorge before tumbling in a series of cascades down a rock face. Visitors can paddle in the pools at the bottom or hike in the natural surroundings around the falls.

Fitzroy Island

The larger of two inhabited islands that lie just offshore from Cairns is Fitzroy. The beaches here are the main attraction, from where you can enjoy first class snorkelling, but the protected parkland that makes up much of the island is also a draw. A two-hour hike will take you to the island's lighthouse, from where you can enjoy nice vistas. Alternatively, see the island from a different perspective by kayaking around its circumference.

Green Island

Host to an exclusive eco-friendly resort, this tiny coral cay spans 25 acres and is a major daytrip destination for visitors to Cairns. The beaches here are idyllic and so they draw sunbathers, snorkellers and swimmers year-round. One of the easiest ways to admire the marine life that thrives off the island's shores is to take a glass-bottomed boat ride.

Sport and activities

Cairns' recreation facilities allow visitors to get up close with Australia's amazing wildlife in unique ways while the surrounding beaches, coral, rainforest and national parks offers seemingly endless opportunities to bushwalk, swim or dive. With the Great Barrier Reef just offshore, diving is the number one activity here, and daily boat excursions take those who are PADI-certified below the water's surface to come head on with sea turtles, manta rays and the likes.

Bushwalking

The rainforest that borders Cairns is home to some of the rarest flora and fauna in the world, including the unique Australian marsupials that are a highlight of many visitors' trips. The best way to take in the nature is on a guided bushwalk or a night safari, with the latter offering the chance to spot the elusive platypus. Aboriginal walks allow you to explore the forest from the perspective of these natives, who have inhabited the area for thousands of years, taking in sacred sites and cave paintings along the way.   

Diving

The number one sport in Cairns is diving, which is no surprise considering the globe's largest coral reef is just offshore. Divers can choose between hundreds of operators and packages regardless of skill level while beginners can become PADI-qualified in just a few days. The inner reef is the most easily accessible stretch of the reef but also the busiest while a trip to the outer reef will cost you more but is worth it for the remoteness. Those who can't dive can explore the waters with a snorkel and mask. 

White-water rafting

Growing in popularity in Cairns is the fast-paced sport of white-water rafting. The best rapids can be found in the nearby Atherton Tablelands, with a number of quick-flowing rivers to choose from. The Tully River offers the most challenging stretches while the easier going Barron River is a safe bet for beginners. Longer tours that involve a helicopter drop and two days of rafting are also available on the North Johnston River.

Cairns Tropical Zoo

If your children are too young to endure a bushwalk through the rainforest consider a trip to this world-class zoo where they can admire all the Australian animals found in the bush. From kangaroos, koalas and platypus to possums, kookaburras and crocodiles, the zoo is a comprehensive showcase of the unique fauna found on the globe's biggest island. There are also some entertaining shows and a night-time tour as well as chances to cuddle koalas and feed kangaroos.

Cairns Wildlife Dome

This relatively new addition to Cairns' animal attractions is of great interest to adults and kids alike. Located adjacent to the Sofitel Reef Casino and enclosed in a glass dome, this wildlife site allows visitors to interact with Australian wildlife including the mighty Goliath, a huge saltwater crocodile. Other favourites such as koalas, kangaroos and wallabies are also resident here.

Dining and shopping

Like most major Australian cities, Cairns has an enviable shopping and dining scene. While the shopping largely focuses on aboriginal souvenirs and animal related paraphernalia, the dining spans a huge array of ethnicities as well as the ubiquitous Australian barbeque and some unusual native dishes for the adventurous.

Among the most popular purchases in Cairns are boomerangs and didgeridoos. These aboriginal artefacts make for ideal souvenirs or presents and can be cheap or expensive depending on the size and quality of the product. Despite the city's shopping focusing on crafts, there are also a collection of modern shopping malls for indoor mainstream shopping.

The city's tourist market spans the Esplanade and is open seven days a week. Most of the vendors here sell handicrafts and trinkets. If you're in the city on a Saturday or Sunday, head for the popular craft market near Marlin Marina. Housed within the Pier Marketplace Mall, this market is the place to pick up local crafts or simply hang out and enjoy a coffee or a snack at one of the cafés.

For a more mainstream shopping experience, the Cairns Central Shopping Centre in the central business district hosts more than 170 stores including major department stores and supermarkets. There are also a number of shopping malls on the outskirts of the city such as Stockland Shopping Centre, Westcourt Plaza and Smithfield Shopping Centre.

The international ambience of Cairns is conductive to a varied culinary scene. Yet despite an array of ethnic fare, the city is a big promoter of authentic Australian bush tucker. If you've ever wanted to sample crocodile, emu or kangaroo seasoned with Australian seeds and spices, here's the place to do it. Several of the city's restaurants have a selection of unusual native dishes to choose from.

The Esplanade is the most popular spot for dining with its waterfront cafés, laid-back restaurants and food stalls. For something more upscale you'll need to head into the central business district, which spans a half-dozen or so blocks inland from the shore. Here you'll find five-star dining at its very best at chef-owned establishments. The city's luxury hotels also offer a fantastic choice in dining.

For tasty ethnic fare, the city centre is dotted with Chinese, Indian and Thai restaurants while European favourites such as Italian are never hard to stumble across. Once you've filled up on Cairns' best fare, don't miss out on the after-hours pub and club scene that is kept vibrant by visiting backpackers.

The bulk of Cairns dining takes place along the Esplanade and in the diverse eateries found in the city centre. The waterfront is home to sea-facing restaurants that let you take in breezes and vistas while you tuck in, with seafood and steak restaurants being prevalent. For something a bit different don't miss the chance to try a crocodile steak or an ostrich burger at Red Ochre, which might change your opinion of bush tucker altogether.

Overview

Most visitors arrive in Cairns via the city's international airport, which serves mostly domestic routes. International passengers may need to arrive at a different Australian airport before transferring to Cairns. Alternative means of arriving in the city include by train or bus. Once in Cairns, most of the city can be explored on foot while taxis, hire cars, local buses and even cable cars are on hand for longer jaunts.

Airports

The gateway to the northern tropics is Cairns International Airport, situated just to the north of the city centre and serving around three million passengers annually. While the airport handles a selection of international flights to places in Japan, South Korea and New Zealand, most long-haul passengers arrive at one of Australia's larger airports first and then transfer to Cairns by domestic flight.

Qantas handles the largest proportion of domestic traffic at Cairns International Airport, with frequent connections to Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Darwin. Low-cost carriers such as Jetstar, Mac-Air and Virgin Blue also offer regular services. International carriers that land at the airport include Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Continental Airlines and Airfast Indonesia.

Across the airport's two terminals you will find all the amenities you need to get started. Internet, dining, shopping and money exchange are available, as are ATMs, information desks and car hire.

Transport from the airport to the city is catered for by airport shuttles that depart hourly for the city centre from directly outside the Arrivals hall. For greater convenience, taxis wait outside the airport to whisk passengers into the city in just five minutes.

Public transportation

If you are already in Australia, you may prefer to access Cairns by bus. While bus fares are inexpensive, journeys can be long and uncomfortable. Buses arrive from all over at the centrally located Trinity Wharf Centre, with Greyhound Australia being the biggest provider.

A more relaxing way to arrive is by train from Brisbane. Two services provide rail transport to Cairns, the Tilt train and the Sunlander, with the journey from Brisbane taking around 30 hours. Entertainment and sleeping cars ensure comfortable journeys.

Once in the city, covering the ground in compact Cairns is easy. While the Esplanade and city centre can be traversed on foot, you may need to use the Sunbus to get between the city centre and outlying areas. Several routes serve nearby beaches and tickets can be purchased onboard.

For a more exciting way to see the sights, don't miss a ride on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. This thrilling attraction spans from just outside the city to Kuranda Rainforest Village, passing over coastal foothills and rainforest en route. Each cable car can carry up to six passengers and the journey takes 90 minutes.

If you want maximum convenience, consider renting a hire car for the duration of your stay. Cars can be rented at the airport and in the city centre, and parking is well catered for in the city. Taxis are on hand for short hops and late night travel.