Cairns

Explore

and the majesty of the great barrier reef

Secure your place ahead of the general public with a Priority Access Pass

Gimuy

Aboriginal name

for Cairns

Only place

in the world where

two unesco sites collide

The Great

Barrier

reef

Home to the

tallest mountain

in Queensland

Fastest

Growing

city in australia

26°C

Average high Temp

Jul-Aug

Cairns

new experiences around every corner

Experience the unparalleled natural beauty of Cairns, where spectacular reefs, ancient rainforests, rich culture, and an alfresco dining scene blend into one. Whether it’s snorkelling through coral gardens, flying over the infinite blues or sailing to tropical islands, there’s an adventure reserved for you on the world’s largest living organism visible from space: the Great Barrier Reef. Breathe in the salt air and explore via boat, snorkel, kayak, helicopter or learn to dive on this world-famous natural wonder.

Ever explored a 100 million-year-old rainforest? Escape the city and explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics. A place so big in size it makes up 0.12% of Australia, it’s both accessible and diverse, from the easy walk to the famous Curtain Tree Fig to the longer hike to cool off in Nandroya Falls. Cruise above the rainforest canopy on Skyrail, meet unique wildlife at Rainforestation, Kuranda Koala Gardens, or Cairns Aquarium, or visit the new Munro Martin Park and Cairns Performing Arts Precinct in the CBD.

Visitors can also connect with culture through the local Indigenous people who have lived on the land for over 40,000 years. Take a guided tour, watch a traditional performance and explore new artworks at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.

Content by Tourism Australia

Cairns

Things to do

Take a helicopter tour

One of the best things to do in Cairns is to take to the skies on a helicopter tour; the 45-minute journey with Nautilus Aviation will show you the city’s most beautiful offerings, from the rainbow colours of the Great Barrier Reef to Barron Falls and the canopy of the Daintree Rainforest.

The Great barrier Reef

Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef; the world’s largest coral reef system is a collection of just under 3000 individual reefs and 900 islands across near 350,000 square kilometres.

Visit Kuranda

From village markets to wildlife encounters, there's so much to do here on a day visit. Make your way up the ridge via the famed steam train on the Kuranda Scenic Railway; built in 1891, it navigates 15 tunnels, 93 curves and difficult bridges across dense rainforest, waterfalls and steep ravines in just under two hours.

Experience nature from a new perspective

Ringing the city is the rolling green of the neighbouring Atherton Tablelands, which sits within a fertile plateau in the Great Dividing Range. Abundant in native flora and fauna (the World Heritage Wet Tropics waterfall circuit included), the region is best viewed by air, and Hot Air Balloon Cairns will give you the best seat in the house to watch the sunrise above the hills.

Take a dip

Cairns' year-round warm weather always invites a swim. Cool off at Cairns Lagoon, the promenade-front pool which remains a favourite for young and old locals to the region. A little further afield you'll find beautiful stretches of beach. Palm Cove will tempt you with crystal clear waters and white sands.