For many travelers, Cairns is the start or the end of a road trip along Australia's East Coast. This tropical city in northern Queensland is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the world's oldest rainforest. Ocean, rainforest and waterfalls all within reach: that's what makes Cairns one of Australia's most varied destinations.
Don't expect a big city like Sydney or Melbourne. Cairns is compact, laid-back and completely set up for travelers. Downtown is pleasant, everything is within walking distance and most tours leave right from the harbor.
What makes Cairns special?
Cairns is one of the few places in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. You can snorkel among colorful coral in the morning and walk through a rainforest more than 180 million years old in the afternoon.
Cairns is also the perfect base for gorgeous waterfalls, tropical beaches and scenic drives like the Captain Cook Highway.
The highlights of Cairns
Great Barrier Reef
You really shouldn't skip the Great Barrier Reef. Dozens of trips leave Cairns every day to snorkel, dive or see the reef from the air.
Short on time? Go for a day tour. If you want to do several dives, there are multi-day liveaboards too.
Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation
North of Cairns is the world-famous Daintree Rainforest, the oldest tropical rainforest in the world.
Take a walk through the rainforest, look for cassowaries, join a Daintree River cruise to spot crocodiles, then head to Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest literally meets the Great Barrier Reef.
Atherton Tablelands
About an hour and a half's drive from Cairns are the Atherton Tablelands, a green upland plateau full of waterfalls, crater lakes, rainforest and charming little towns. It sits higher than the coast, so it's often a few degrees cooler than Cairns. That makes it a great place to escape the tropical heat for a day or two.
What makes the Atherton Tablelands so special is the variety. In a single day you can swim under a waterfall, walk through ancient rainforest, visit a volcanic crater lake and stop at coffee plantations, fruit stands and small towns along the way. It's easy to end up staying much longer than you planned.
Tip: Love coffee? Then end your day at one of the local coffee plantations, like Skybury Coffee. The Atherton Tablelands are one of Australia's most important coffee-growing regions.
Cairns Esplanade
Cairns doesn't really have a city beach, but the Esplanade Lagoon is the place to cool off on a hot day. This free outdoor pool is right downtown and popular with locals and travelers alike. Maybe the best part: you don't have to worry about crocodiles or jellyfish here.
Along the Esplanade there's a pleasant waterfront promenade with walking and bike paths, public barbecues, playgrounds and plenty of restaurants and cafés looking out over the ocean. In the mood for good coffee or a big breakfast? Muddy's Café and Flynn's Italian by Crystalbrook are both great picks.
For a dinner with atmosphere overlooking the marina, go to Salt House. If you love fresh fish and seafood, don't miss Prawn Star. This one-of-a-kind restaurant is set on old prawn trawlers in the harbor and is one of the most popular places to eat in Cairns.
Top 3 activities in Cairns
1. Snorkeling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef
The most popular activity in Cairns. Day trips cost AUD $220 to $350 on average, depending on the boat and how many snorkeling or dive sites you visit.
2. Scenic flight
From Cairns you can take a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef, Green Island and the famous Heart Reef.
It's one of the pricier activities, but the views are some of the most beautiful in Australia.
3. White water rafting on the Barron River
Looking for a bit more adventure in Cairns? White water rafting on the Barron River is a fantastic option. The river runs through the tropical scenery of Barron Gorge National Park, a short distance from Cairns.
Most tours take half a day, with about two hours actually on the water. An experienced guide takes you through grade 2 and 3 rapids. That's exciting enough for a good dose of adrenaline, but still fine for beginners who've never rafted. Before you set off, you get a safety briefing and learn the basic paddling techniques.
My recommendations: Foaming Fury, Raging Thunder Adventures and Cairns Adventure Group.
Some operators charge a river fee separately, others include it in the tour price. Check this carefully when you book. Action photos and renting suitable footwear can also cost extra.
Most operators have a minimum age of twelve. You don't need to be a strong swimmer or experienced rafter, but a reasonable level of fitness and feeling comfortable in the water are important.
Rafting the Barron River is a really fun change of pace if you're spending several days in Cairns. After snorkeling, rainforests and waterfalls, it lets you experience tropical northern Australia in a completely different, more active way.
Camping in Cairns with a campervan
One of the best places to stay with a campervan is BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut.
This campground is about a ten-minute drive from downtown and has excellent facilities, including several swimming pools, a water park, barbecue areas and roomy campervan sites.
If you're spending several days in Cairns, it makes an ideal base. Planning to stay in places around Cairns like Port Douglas or the Daintree Rainforest? There are plenty of good camping options there too.
Best time to visit Cairns
The best time to visit Cairns is May through October.
Those months are the dry season. You can count on pleasant temperatures, little rain and lower humidity. It's also when you have the best chance of clear water on the Great Barrier Reef.
November through April is the wet season. It's hotter and more humid, with heavy tropical downpours. Jellyfish are around in this period too, so swimming isn't recommended at some beaches. You can still visit Cairns at this time of year, though.
How much time do you need in Cairns?
I'd plan at least four nights for Cairns. That gives you time for a day on the Great Barrier Reef, a day trip to the Daintree Rainforest and a day exploring the Atherton Tablelands. You don't have to spend all those nights in Cairns itself. Mix it up: stay a few nights in Cairns and a few at campgrounds in the Daintree Rainforest or Port Douglas.
