WHAT YOU CANNOT MISS IN CAIRNS
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See the Great Barrier Reef
The first thing to do in Cairns is visiting the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system. It’s made up of 3000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands and 300 coral cays. You can book a day cruise with operators such as Passions of Paradise or Quicksilver Cruises. After that, you can snorkel and dive among vivid coral gardens and colourful fish. Options are available to suit a range of budgets. You can also book a scenic flight to get an eagle’s-eye view of the Great Barrier Reef.
Get your foodie fix
Cairns has a thriving café scene, with many trendy cafés dotted along Grafton and Spence streets. Start the day with breakfast at Caffiend, a laneway café. Sing Sing Espresso is another popular haunt for coffee and tasty vegan treats. Tuck into wholesome salads at Silk Caffe and then indulge on its Nutella ice coffee. Enjoy Cairns’ balmy weather and dine alfresco on The Esplanade. Rustic Greek dishes from Yaya’s Hellenic Kitchen and modern Asian fusion from The Raw Prawn also worth trying. Visit Rusty’s Markets (Friday to Sunday), you can find fresh local produce, like exotic fruits, dairy and seafood.
Learn about Aboriginal culture
Explore the rich history of the world’s oldest living culture (more than 40,000 years) at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Just 20 minutes outside Cairns, the centre shows guests authentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. From there, you will experience brilliant theatre, guided bush walks and didgeridoo shows. About 90 minutes north of Cairns is the Mossman Gorge Centre. It is an indigenous eco-tourism development where visitors can explore the gorge while learning about the local Kuku Yalanji culture and traditions.
Trek through tropical rainforest…
The World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest is about 2 hours drive north of Cairns. And it can be seen on a day trip from the city or over the course of two days, staying overnight in one of its wilderness lodges. The tropical rainforest is home to the most diverse range of plants and animals on earth, including the rare tree-dwelling kangaroo and the endangered cassowary. Start your day at the Daintree Discovery Centre where you can walk along the 125 metre (410 foot) long Aerial Walkway through the mid-level rainforest or take a self-guided rainforest tour. Join a gentle cruise down the Daintree River to spot wildlife in its natural habitat, including saltwater crocodiles. On foot you’ll find that rainforest meets reef at Cape Tribulation, where you can easily lose hours walking through tropical lowland forest or along stretches of white sand.
…then Experience it from above the canopy
The mountain village of Kuranda is tucked within the tropical rainforest, and is known for its vibrant arts community. Local markets are open daily, selling a range of jewellery, leather goods and Aboriginal art. While bookshops, galleries and boutiques line the village streets. The journey to and from Kuranda is arguably the highlight. The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway glides above the rainforest canopy then descends deep into its heart. The 90 minute experience allows time at two rainforest stations, Red Peak and Barron Falls, where you can walk among lush palm and giant ferns. On your way back to Cairns, you can travel on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. The two hour train journey traverses dense rainforest, winding past rugged mountains, tumbling waterfalls and the stunning Barron Gorge.
Get extreme
In Cairns you’ll find plenty of activities to get your heart racing. Find some of the best whitewater rafting rapids in Australia on the Tully and Barron rivers or a half day of tubing on the Mulgrave River. Tandem skydives are available for true adrenaline seekers. From the above, you can enjoy aerial views of the Great Barrier Reef. Or discover the beauty of Behana Gorge on a canyoning adventure that will have you trekking, abseiling, cliff jumping and swimming through crystal-clear tropical waters and under the gorgeous waterfalls. Other activities in the area include quad biking, horseriding and hang-gliding.
Go island hopping
Discover some of the reef’s unspoiled islands from Cairns. Jump on the 45 minute high-speed ferry to reach picturesque Fitzroy Island. Here you can explore rainforest walking tracks, snorkel straight off the beach at Welcome Bay and Nudey Beach and see the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef by sea kayak. Book a day tour to Green Island, a coral cay surrounded by sugar-white beaches and sapphire waters, just 30 kilometres (19 miles) off the Cairns shore. Go off the grid at Hinchinbrook Island. It is Australia’s largest national park island, and discover a landscape of mangrove forests, isolated beaches and sheltered bays. For a truly exclusive experience, book accommodation at reef-fringed Bedarra or Lizard islands.