Introduction
Cairns is an amazing city located in the Far North of Queensland, Australia. It is home to the Cairns International Airport, one of the busiest airports in Australia. Cairns is surrounded by stunning tropical rainforest, palm fringed beaches, and stunning coral reefs. We think it’s one of the best cities for a vacation in Australia!
Swim in the Cenotes
Swimming in the cenotes is an experience you don’t want to miss. Cenotes are natural pools of water found in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. They were formed when limestone caves collapsed into underground rivers and lakes. The resulting formation looks like a sinkhole and can be as deep as 50 meters (164 feet)!
While swimming in these pools may sound like a fun activity, there are some risks involved with diving into unknown waters. If you choose to dive yourself, ask for help from local guides which will ensure your safety and make sure that you don’t get lost underwater. It is also important that divers wear wet suits or life jackets when diving to protect themselves from any injuries caused by sharp stalagmites below the water surface.
Explore the Mayan Ruins
The ruins are located in the jungle and rainforest. They are located in the jungle and rainforest, which is called a “jungle rainforest.” The ruins at this site were built by the Mayan people thousands of years ago. The site consists of multiple structures arranged around one another to form a dense complex. Although there is minimal evidence that the structures here were built for religious purposes, you can still see remnants of rituals carried out by ancient peoples who once lived here.
Go Snorkeling/Diving on the Great Barrier Reef
Snorkeling and diving on the Great Barrier Reef are amazing! There are some spectacular sites along this stretch of reef, including an abundance of colorful fish and coral. If you want to see what makes this area so special, check out these dives:
Go Deep Sea Fishing
Deep-Sea Fishing is an activity in Cairns where you can go out on a boat, and catch fish. There are many different types of boats that you can choose from, and each one offers a unique experience.
One of the best places to go deep-sea fishing is Laguna Quays Marina in Cairns City Centre. They have a wide variety of boats available to choose from, including those with both small engine sizes as well as larger ones which are great if you need more space for your gear or people.
If there’s no wind on your trip, then it’s best not to bring any clothes with buttons or zippers since they tend not to work very well when wet due to corrosion issues over time – instead, make sure everything has velcro closures or snaps so that nothing gets damaged during transport!
Tour the Crocodiles
You’re in the tropics, so it’s only natural to want to see crocodiles. Cairns is home to the world’s largest crocodile farm, and you can get up close with these dangerous reptiles at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is an adrenaline-fueled attraction located on Trinity Beach near Port Douglas. The park offers a variety of tours including a helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest canopy walks, but their highlight has got to be feeding or petting baby crocs! You can even hold one if you’re brave enough!
Feed Sting Rays, Sharks, and Fish at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is a family-run business that has been operating since 1986. The park is home to over 30 species of crocodiles, snakes, lizards, birds, and fish.
The tour will take you to the mangrove swamps where you can see crocodiles in their natural habitat. It includes an educational talk about the animals and their habits followed by feeding time where you get to interact with some of these fascinating creatures.
You will then board our boat for an adventure cruise through Hartley’s crocodile farm where we have over 100 crocodiles representing 20 species as well as other freshwater animals such as turtles, tortoises, and snakes. There are also other marine animals including sharks and stingrays – see them up close!
Cairns Botanic Gardens
The Cairns Botanic Gardens is a beautiful place to go for a walk and enjoy the fresh air or sit down for a picnic. It’s also the perfect place for romantic dates and family days out. You can even take some amazing photos in this beautiful garden!
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway – Kuranda Scenic Railway
Skyrail is the highest and longest cableway in Australia. It runs from Cairns to Kuranda, which takes about 25 minutes.
It’s also the only way to get to Kuranda (unless you want to take a very long hike). If you want to see Australia’s tallest rainforest canopy, then this is the best way to do it!
On Skyrail, you can see Barron Gorge and other natural attractions while enjoying views of rainforest birds, butterflies, and wildlife.
Palm Cove to Port Douglas Day Trip
If you only have a day in Cairns, we recommend taking a day trip to Port Douglas. The drive is around three hours long, but the scenery along the way is breathtaking and worth it. Be sure to stop at each lookout point along the way for some stunning views of the Great Barrier Reef!
Once you arrive in Port Douglas, there are many things to do! You can walk along Hastings Street for shopping or grab lunch at one of many cafes or restaurants. If you like surfing and swimming, head down to Four Mile Beach where you will find great waves for surfing and plenty of locals who will be happy to teach anyone who wants lessons on how to surf. If snorkeling is more your style then head over to the nearby Low Isles where there are both shallow coral gardens as well as deeper shipwrecks covered in colorful fish waiting for visitors like yourself! Don’t forget your underwater camera because these places are breathtaking!
The Marina at Port Douglas
The Marina at Port Douglas is a great place to soak in the sunset. The marina is in the heart of town, which means that you can walk from anywhere in Port Douglas and enjoy a spectacular view. There are many restaurants, bars, and nightclubs on this strip.
For those wanting to watch the sunrise instead, there’s no better place than here!
Stay in a Treehouse Villa at Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa
Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa is located in Cairns and offers a selection of accommodation options. The resort has four- and five-bedroom treehouse villas, as well as three, four, and five-bedroom lodges. All rooms have a spa tub, balcony, and air conditioning. Some rooms also have a pool or lake view.
The Silky Oaks Spa features 10 treatment suites offering a range of massages and facials that can be tailored to your needs by an experienced therapist from the Silky Oaks Spa team. Guests also have access to complimentary yoga classes as well as other facilities such as an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, and gymnasium at this property for an additional fee.
Amenities include: concierge service; tour desk; free Wi-Fi throughout the property (up to 2 devices per room); tour pick up service; currency exchange facility; laundry service (for an extra fee); 24-hour front desk services; daily housekeeping services.
These are only some of the Best Things to do in Cairns, Australia
Cairns is a great place to visit, with so many things to do. Some of the best things to do in Cairns include:
- The Great Barrier Reef the world’s largest coral reef system, and one of the seven natural wonders of the world (that’s right it’s a natural wonder!)
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway a gondola that takes you through the lush rainforest canopy.
- Kuranda Scenic Railway a steam train journey through spectacular scenery up into the hills above Cairns, through rainforests, and across viaducts over creeks and rivers.
Conclusion
We hope this list of the top things to do in Cairns, Australia will help you plan your trip. If you want more information on how to get to Cairns, where to stay, and what and where to eat, check out our guide here.
