Cairns Travel Guide

Cairns(North Queensland)

Cairns, a popular gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, is set against a magnificent backdrop of high mountain ranges covered with lush, tropical rainforests whose slopes reach almost to the sea. This palm-fringed city is intimate, yet sophisticated, with designer shops and gourmet restaurants; a perfect contrast to the natural paradise of the Great Barrier Reef.

Must see and do in Cairns:

Esplanade: A pleasant, shady, seaside promenade featuring playgrounds, picnic tables, barbeques and al fresco dining.

Trinity wharf: Watch the big game fishing boats tie up with their catches –experience all the bustle and excitement of a working port.

Cairns Regional Gallery: Located in an heritage building in central Cairns,the gallery’s programme includes exhibitions or works by local, Australian and international artists including that of aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park: The cultural centre includes four separate theatres capable of staging different yet interwoven productions. Provides a chance for all to participate and interact with members of the aboriginal community. The centre is home to the famous Tjapukai aboriginal Dance Theatre.

Kuranda:located 27km north-west of cairns. A picturesque village set in lush rainforest on the edge of the Atherton Tablelands. The Kuranda scenic railway from Cairns provides spectacular views of tropical scenery and waterfalls. The Kuranda markets sell many handicrafts and fresh garden produce in an atmosphere of artistic activity. Visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary and view more than 35 species as you wander by mini forests and fern-fringed pools. Bird World is home to many birds of the world, where pathways take you to a simulated rainforest.

Skyrail: Gondola cable way from the Cairns suburb of Smithfield to Kuranda over rainforest. Boardwalks and tracks to lookouts are available at the two stations and facilities have been provided to help visitors learn about the unique rainforest environment. Return to Cairns on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Enjoy the views stretching across to the Coral Sea and Green Island.

Wildlife and theme parks in Cairns:

Australian Woolshed: Captain Cook Highway, Smithfield. An authentic Australian theme park and event venue that captures the pioneering spirit of Australia with entertainment, good food and a collection of farm and native animals. There are daily shows featuring trained sheep, sheep shearing, wool-spinning, working sheepdogs, cow milking, kangaroos and koalas and souvenir photos.

Hartley’s Creek Crocodile Farm: Located 40km north of Cairns. Hundred of crocodiles are on display and can be seen in action at daily feeding times. The farm is also home to many native animals and birds such as koalas, kangaroos,cassowaries, snakes, and dingoes. Visitors can pat the animals at 1 pm and learn about koalas, dingoes and flying foxes.

Wild world Australia: At Captain Cook Highway, Palm Cove. Wild world is an Australian wildlife show park featuring bird, reptiles and animals displays.Wildlife shows every half hour include crocodile feeding, toad races, snake shows, bird feeding and an Aboriginal cultural show. An evening with a difference includes barbecue dinner, live entertainment and guided night spotlighting tour.

The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary:located in Port Douglas.About an hour’s drive north from cairns, enjoy an educational experience viewing rainforest wildlife close up. An enclosed canopy houses 100 species of birds in a natural setting. Visitors experience rainforest, wetlands and grassland habitats. Don’t miss ‘breakfast with the Birds’.

Night life and dining in Cairns:

At night try your luck at the Reef Hotel Casino. The Casino is conveniently close to the central business district, fine shopping and departure points for the Great Barrier Reef, islands and surrounding tourist attractions. There are four different gaming areas stretched over two floors with the latest high-tech gaming machines. Relax and be entertained at the sophisticated Night club 1936.

Visit the night markets, held nightly on the Esplanade. Eating is a daily pleasure in Cairns. Try freshly caught seafood and juicy tropical fruit grown in the area.        

Excursions and day tours from Cairns

The cities is fringed by lush rainforests and, to the north and south, are miles of white sandy beaches and turquoise oceans teeming with marine life. The Northern beaches stretch for 26 km along a scenic coastline and are made up of Machans, Holloways, Yorkeys Knob, Trinity, Kewarra, Clifton, Palm Cove and Ellis beaches.

Mission Beach, 250km to the south, is a holiday haven of four small village communities stretching along 14 kilometers of beautiful beaches. Enjoy swimming, sailing, fishing and cruises to the reef and nearby islands.

Port Douglas is located 70km north along the scenic Captain Cook Highway. A picturesque and popular holiday destination offers many attractions and access to the Reef and Cap tribulation. Visit the Rainforest Habitat, the colorful Sunday Markets, Flagstaff Hill and Lookout, Marina Mirage, Bally Hooley Steam Train, swim at Four Mile Beach and enjoy superb shopping.

Atherton Tablelands, 100km west of Cairns. A unique tableland of rolling hills, lush rain forests, waterfalls and crater lakes dotted with small villages. Explore the area by car, along the waterfall circuit or take a coach tour from Cairns and return on the Kuranda Scenic Railway.

The largest tract of virgin rain forest in Australia is the World Heritage-listed Daintree and Cape Tribulation National Parks, beginning in Mossman, a sugar-killing town 75km north of Cairns, and gateway to Mossman River Gorge. This is an area of clear, running streams, walking tracks and towering forest.

Islands and Outer Reef: Departing from Cairns daily, cruise boats, sail boats, helicopters and small aircraft travel to green Island, Fitzroy Island,Frankland Island and the Outer Reef where boats are moored at floating pontoons or anchored just offshore from sandy cays. Many dive options are available from one day to 5-day dives and extended cruises.

Townsville:

The sunshine and business capital of North Queensland is a relaxed and graceful coastal city at the base of red granite Castle Hill. Townsville has kept pace with time but retains much of its 19th century elegance. Its natural bounties are many and include easy access from the picturesque harbor to the islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

Sheraton Breakwater Casino: Located on the Breakwater precinct overlooking Cleveland Bay and Magnetic Island. Popular games of roulette, blackjack, mini dice, craps, mini baccarat, tow-up, sic-bo video machines, and many others can be enjoyed.

Billabong Sanctuary: Bruce Highway. An Australian wildlife experience. Feed Australian native animals, watch salt water crocodile feeding, pat-a-koala. Animals are displayed in their natural habitat.

Great Barrier Reef wonderland: 2-84m Flinders Street. Walk underwater and view are-creation of the reef. The Great Barrier Reef Wonderland Houses the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium, the Omnimax Theatre that seat 200 people,Museum of tropical Queensland and ferry terminals to Magnetic Island and the Outer Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef:

The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living organism. From its northern tip, it stretches over 2,000km along the coast of Queensland. Located along the reef, is an abundance of tropical islands,attracting visitors to their spectacular color and beauty. Enjoy the sights of brilliant corals, pristine cays and white sandy beaches, marine life, perfect weather and a huge array of activities. Each island is accessible by either helicopter, light plane or launch from the resort towns of Cairns, Townsville,Port Douglas, Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour, Macky, Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Gladstone.