Cairns, Australia

Cairns is one of Australia's hottest vacation destinations. Cairns boasts three of Australia's great natural wonders. Just offshore, immense bastions of living coral form the Great Barrier Reef. Sixteen miles of superb beaches stretch to the north of the city - the famed Marlin Coast. And inland lays the immense Daintree National Park. Cairns itself basks in tropical sunshine, balmy breezes waft in from Trinity Bay. The city's graceful, tree-lined esplanade was once the gateway to the gold fields of North Queensland.

Cairns graceful, tree-lined esplanade was once the gateway to the gold fields of North Queensland. A travel tip - Cairns is pronounced "cans."

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Points of Interest

  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Rainforest/West Tropics
  • Kuranda Scenic Railway
  • Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
  • Tjapukai Aboriginal Park
  • Esplanade/Lagoon
  • Snorkel/Dive
  • Outdoor Adventure

More about Cairns, Australia Points of Interest

  • Great Barrier Reef

    The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. As the world's largest reef system, it's composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 1,600 miles.

  • Rainforest/West Tropics

    The Wet Tropics Rainforest is home to the largest range of plants and animals and the oldest rainforest on earth, including 2,800 different plant species.

  • Kuranda Scenic Railway

    The railway was constructed between 1882 and 1891, and even today, is considered an engineering feat of tremendous magnitude as it winds its way from Cairns to Kuranda.

  • Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

    Touted as "The World's Most Beautiful Rainforest Experience," the skyrail is a world's first in environmental tourism, taking you over Australia's World Heritage Rainforest canopy and deep into the forest.

  • Tjapukai Aboriginal Park

    Located at Caravonica, directly next door to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, the park offers a showcase of the Tjapukai people, one of the indigenous peoples of the Cairns region.

  • Esplanade/Lagoon

    The Esplanade lagoon and boardwalk overlooks the Barrier Reef and Trinity Inlet. This recreational area is one of Cairns' best-known landmarks and a focal point for both locals and visitors alike.

  • Snorkel/Dive

    The port of Cairns offers a variety of underwater opportunities at the Great Barrier Reef for the complete beginner to the more experienced snorkeler or diver.

  • Outdoor Adventure

13 EXCURSIONS

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Scenic Walk through Cairns

2 hours | Cairns | C N S - 3 8 0
  • Outdoor Adventure

Get to know the colorful sights and sounds of Cairns on a walking tour. Along the way, your guide will point out historic buildings, special places and points of interests. A personal visit inside the Cairns Museum offers an in-depth look at this Gold Rush-era city.

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Moderate Activity

From

$59.95

Average Guest Rating

Bad Fishy Jet Boat

1.25 hours | Cairns | C N S - 5 1 0
  • Outdoor Adventure

Spin, splash, scream and squeal aboard "Bad Fishy," a turbo-charged jet boat ride that tours the magnificent Trinity Inlet. Soak up the beautiful sights of the mountains, mangroves and wildlife-rich waters while getting soaked when the boat zooms out of the Cairns harbor and performs amazing roller coaster stunts.

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Moderate Activity

From

$69.95

Average Guest Rating

Hartley's Crocodile Adventure

4 hours | Cairns | C N S - 1 2 0
  • Rainforest/West Tropics

Encounter kangaroos, koalas and crocodiles at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. Stroll along the boardwalk, take a boat cruise through Hartley's Lagoon, see exciting and educational wildlife presentations including a snake show, cassowary and koala feeding. And the Gondwana Gateway offers a look at the evolution of Australia's unique animals.

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Moderate Activity

From

$89.95

Average Guest Rating

Wild River Tube Ride

4 hours | Cairns | C N S - 5 1 5
  • Outdoor Adventure

Cool off, make a splash, and soak up the sun on the scenic Mulgrave River in a professional high- quality twin chamber tube. Geared for the whole family and every fitness level, the ride includes mirror-calm waters and a couple of small Grade II rapids.

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Moderate Activity

From

$99.95

Average Guest Rating

Kuranda & Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

5 hours | Cairns | C N S - 2 1 5
  • Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Take adventure to new heights when you soar over the lush rainforest canopy in the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Glide through Barron Gorge, and pass Stoney Creek Falls and the spectacular, 800-foot Barron Falls. Back on earth, you can shop for handcrafted goods and Aboriginal artifacts in Kuranda Village.

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Moderate Activity

From

$109.95

Average Guest Rating

Kuranda and Scenic Railway Journey

4 hours | Cairns | C N S - 2 0 0
  • Kuranda Scenic Railway

Enjoy a leisurely tour through Australia's World Heritage Rainforest by coach and by rail. Have free time to browse among the shops and markets for exotically handcrafted goods at Kuranda Village. Then board the Kuranda Scenic Railway and witness breathtaking ravines, waterfalls, bridges and tunnels.

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Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity

From

$129.95

Average Guest Rating

Rainforestation, Army Duck & Wildlife

6 hours | Cairns | C N S - 2 5 1
  • Rainforest/West Tropics

Take part in an iconic Australian adventure that blends adventure, wildlife and cultural splendor at Rainforestation. Try your hand at throwing a boomerang, watch a spectacular cultural performance, hand-feed a kangaroo, ride in an amphibious Army Duck and savor the flavors of North Queensland with an Aussie-style BBQ lunch.

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Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From

$169.95

Average Guest Rating

Whitewater Rafting on the Barron River

3.5 hours | Cairns | C N S - 4 0 0
  • Outdoor Adventure

Take adventure to the max with an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip down the Barron River. Whatever your skill or thrill level, you can feel the adrenaline rush of plunging down rapids with names like Cheese Churn and Hell's Gate, gliding past cascading waterfalls, and floating through the world's oldest rainforest.

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Strenuous Activity

From

$169.95

Average Guest Rating

Gold Class Scenic Rail

4 hours | Cairns | C N S - 2 5 0
  • Kuranda Scenic Railway

Live in the lap of luxury! Shop till you drop with an excursion to Kuranda Village. Then, ride in the splendor of days gone by with Gold Class accommodations aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Sip sparkling wine and enjoy appetizers as you ride through the beautiful and dramatic Kuranda Range.

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Moderate Activity, Includes snack

From

$179.95

Average Guest Rating

Best of Cairns: Skyrail, Kuranda & Scenic Railway

6 hours | Cairns | C N S - 1 1 0
  • Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
  • Kuranda Scenic Railway

Explore one of the world's most beautiful rainforests by train, on foot and by air. Enjoy a picturesque ride through Barron Gorge aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Look for colorful flora and fauna at Kuranda Village. Marvel at the spectacular views with a ride in the Skyrail Rain Forest Cableway.

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Moderate Activity

From

$189.95

Average Guest Rating

GREEN ISLAND ECO ADVENTURE

7.5 hours | Cairns | C N S - 0 0 2
  • Great Barrier Reef

Escape to Green Island for a day of family fun. Whether you prefer activities fast and furious or slow and steady, there's something for everyone. Embark on a glass-bottom boat tour, stroll through the rainforest or dive into the welcoming waters. Lunch is included and optional activities at an additional expense.

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Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From

$199.95

Average Guest Rating

Nocturnal Wildlife Spotlighting tour

8 hours | Cairns | C N S - 8 6 5
  • Rainforest/West Tropics

Venture into the rainforest beginning at dusk to watch elusive nocturnal animals as they come out to play in their natural habitat. With the aid of your guide and spotlight, you'll go in search of the elusive platypus, tree kangaroos, possums, gliders, flying foxes, bandicoots, echidnas, snakes, frogs and more.

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Moderate Activity

From

AUD$269.95

Average Guest Rating

Local Connections: The Great Barrier Reef

7.5 hours | Cairns | C N S - 1 0 0
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Snorkel/Dive

Explore the underwater beauty of the Great Barrier Reef with Local Connections Expert, Captain Wel Gamble. Don your snorkel equipment and jump into the water and witness the majestic panoramas of colorful tropical fish and intricate coral gardens. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch, served in air-conditioned comfort aboard the catamaran.

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Moderate Activity, Includes meal; Includes snack

From

$339.95

Average Guest Rating