Can you swim in stinger season?

The Cairns stinger season can be a salty affair. After all, it’s hot, it’s humid, and pretty much the only thing you want to do is go and soak yourself in some relatively-cool waters for 20 minutes.

And then come the jellyfish, ready to spoil the party with their raspy, unpleasant tentacles that leave us red and upset with the fact we thought it was a good idea to get in the water!

However, stinger season doesn’t mean that you can’t go in the water. In fact, swimming is most certainly still on in the months between October to May – it’s only when the beach is closed that you should definitely avoid it and always take caution when you do head to an open beach.

Jellyfish are a nuisance for sure, hanging round the otherwise lovely tropical waters, but Cairns is still an incredible place at all times of year, and these amazing experiences await you regardless of those harsh tentacles flowing so annoyingly in balmy waters:

The Great Barrier Reef

Cairns is the ultimate place to launch off to the Great Barrier Reef, with a plethora of stunning individual reefs awaiting your diving pleasure! The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most incredible natural wonders, a giant stretch of thousands of individual reefs comprising gorgeous coral and fascinating fish and sea species!

Jetting off from Cairns, be sure to head to the likes of Hastings Reef, Saxon Reef, Green Island and Michaelmas Cay – each one of these beautiful spots is unique to itself and sure to delight…

The Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest is the world’s oldest continuing forest, being 10 million years older than the immense Amazon itself. And whilst the Daintree didn’t grow at the rate of its giant younger rainforest brother, in its 180 million year existence it has become home to some of the most incredible Australian species you can find in the one ecosystem.

With everything from the legendary saltwater crocodile (even older than the forest!) to the aggressive southern cassowary, the northern quoll and all kinds of birds and reptiles, you are bound to experience a sensory wonder like no other visiting the mesmerising Daintree Rainforest.

Be sure to head out to Cape Tribulation, partake in a croc-spotting cruise and join a Kuku Yalanji heritage walk whilst you’re there!

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.

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