Cairns, Australia Travel Guide
*Disclaimer* This post may contain affiliate links, if you purchase through one of these links I would receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Cairns, Australia has plenty to offer an adventurous traveller. It is a major departure point for the Great Barrier Reef and also an ideal place to stay if you want to explore the magnificent Daintree Rainforest. I have to be honest the latter is what drew me here. I'd been reading about the Daintree Rainforest since I was a kid so it was a bucket list destination for me.
Cairns can be seen as a town for staying whilst exploring nearby destinations and there is truth to that. But many people choose to stay here for a reason. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about Cairns, Australia.
Brief Overview of Cairns Australia Travel Guide
Milla Milla Falls
Best Time to Visit Cairns Australia
Tropical North Queensland only has 2 seasons, dry and wet. The dry season runs from April to October and the wet season is from November to March. However don't let this put you off, I went towards the end of the wet season, it was early February. And even though there were tropical downpours it wasn't an issue and it meant the rainforest was lusciously green and waterfalls didn't disappoint.
During the wet season, Cairns can experience some pretty serious cyclones, be sure to check the latest forecasts. One last thing, be prepared for some serious sweating as the humidity in Cairns is no joke.
How to Get to Cairns Australia?
Cairns is located in Northern Queensland, right in the top-east corner of Australia. You can fly into Cairns Airport from almost anywhere in Australia and some international destinations. The airport is only 10 minutes away from the centre, so is easily accessible by taxi or public transport.
However, if you are more of a budget traveller your most likely option will be by bus. Greyhound offers a popular service running along the east coast of Australia. The bus station in Cairns is located within walking distance of most central accommodations.
Daintree River
Things to Do in Cairns Australia
Wander around Cairns Botanical Gardens
Located in the tropics you can expect a diverse range of tropical flora and fauna here. You can take yourself on a walk around these beautiful botanical gardens. When I visited I walked to the gardens from the centre, which took just under an hour. However I do believe there are bus routes if you don't fancy the walk, or of course hop in a taxi.
Visit the Daintree Rainforest
As a kid, I had a little photo book of the Daintree Rainforest and it was one of the very first places I added to my bucket list. Without a doubt, this was one of my favourite things I did whilst in Cairns.
The Daintree is the world's oldest rainforest, it is thought to have been growing for more than 180 million years. David Attenborough called it "the most extraordinary place on earth" and who are we to argue with him? From Cairns, you'll find many tour providers offering day trips out here.
Cape Tribulation is a popular spot to visit as it's where the reef meets the rainforest. As the water contains plenty of saltwater crocodiles, please don't swim here. Although, if you would like to meet a croc or two there are plenty of tours along the Daintree River. You'll also find plenty of hiking trails within Daintree, so get out and explore the rainforest.
Take an Aboriginal Cultural Tour at Mossman Gorge
Mossman Gorge is located inside the Daintree Rainforest Park and is the perfect place to learn more about the local Indigenous community. They offer Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks around lush rainforest, offering stories and traditions from the Kuku Yalanji culture.
Explore the Atherton Tablelands
Think waterfalls, swimming holes, a natural water slide and a whole lot of fun. Just head a little bit inland from Cairns to explore what this area has to offer. I went on a fantastic tour which I would highly recommend to the backpacker demographic, Uncle Brian's Tour. We visited the famous Milla Milla Falls, Babinda Boulders (prepare for the freezing water), Josephine Falls, and my personal favourite Lake Eachman. It would be an easy trip to recreate if you weren't interested in the group tour and hired your own car instead.
Explore the Cairns Esplanade
With the gems of this place mostly outside the centre of Cairns, it's easy to overlook the city. But there's a quaint waterfront to stroll along. After you can cool off with a dip in the Cairns Lagoon and have a classic Australian BBQ at the Esplanade.
Snorkel or Scuba Dive in the Great Barrier Reef
As the largest coral reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is most certainly worth a visit from Cairns. There are so many options on how to visit the Great Barrier Reef. You can snorkel, scuba dive, take a glass bottom boat ride and that's just to name a few.
Opt for an Adrenaline Activity
Cairns has a lot to offer for the adrenaline junkies out there. Maybe white water rafting or a canyoning adventure. Are you brave enough to skydive or maybe bungy jump? Or perhaps you fancy taking an exhilarating helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef. As I said Cairns has a lot going on for those who like to live on the edge.
Ride a Train on the Kuranda Scenic Railway
Take this scenic journey from Cairns to the village in the rainforest Kuranda. Your journey will be full of picturesque moments and even the option to take a Skyrail further into the rainforest. Once in Kuranda, you can enjoy the markets, koala gardens, birdworld and a butterfly sanctuary. It's a day out into the rainforest that all ages can enjoy.
The railway can be affected by weather, be sure to check their website for updates.
Visit Port Douglas
Port Douglas is an incredibly beautiful town located an hour north of Cairns. The town is a little more luxurious than the city of Cairns. You'll find beautiful beaches and plenty of shops and restaurants here for a wonderful day out. If you choose to rent a car and drive yourself be prepared to make a few stops to see the stunning coast that runs alongside the Captain Cook Highway.
Don’t want the hassle of planning? Discover some fantastic Cairns group tours.
Where to Stay in Cairns Australia?
This all depends on budget, I went as a money-conscious backpacker and stayed in the Mad Monkey Waterfront which provided a comfy bed, clean bathrooms, a good location, and a social atmosphere to meet new friends. I recommend staying close to the Esplanade in the city, you will be able to find a range of accommodations here to suit your price range. If you are on a more luxurious trip or want to stay outside of the city, Port Douglas is the place for you
Things to Know Before Visiting Cairns Australia
The currency is Australian Dollars or AUD. For international visitors consider opening an account with, Monzo, Chase or Starling Bank as they all offer fee-free international transactions as well as fee-free cash withdrawals to a certain monthly limit.
In Australia, the standard plug type is Type I. I always recommend the worldwide ones as they not only work everywhere you go they also allow you to charge more than one thing at once.
I’m not sure if this is still a thing but when I visited Cairns just before the sunset bats would be flying around in massive hoards. As someone not used to this it freaked me out at first. So just warning you so you won’t be surprised if this is also something you experience in Cairns.
The city of Cairns is fairly small, so within the city you can expect to walk most places.
If you need to hit the shops head to Cairns Central Shopping Centre. You will also find 2 supermarkets here, Coles and Woolworths if you need some groceries.
Another thing to note is unlike the UK, Australia only sells alcohol in bottle shops so you can’t pick up a few beers in the supermarket.
The sun is much stronger in Australia due to a hole in the ozone layer, so always wear sunscreen.
Have you visited Cairns recently? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Looking for more Australian travel inspiration?
