Cairns is a beautiful city that has continued to skyrocket in popularity, but why are people continuing to flock there?
Cairns is truly one of Australia’s most beautiful tropical destinations. The city sits in Far North Queensland and is the perfect place to stay to see famous attractions like the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
Not only is Cairns close to these worldwide known places, but it’s nearby the extraordinary Green Island and Atherton Tableland.
• Great Barrier Reef
Cairns is undoubtedly famous for being the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system comprised of over 2,900 individual reefs!
Along the reef, you’ll find 600 islands and hundreds of coral cays extending from the tip of Northern Queensland down south along the coastline.
Each year thousands of people flock to the reef from around the world to swim, snorkel, and dive with the more than 1,500 marine species that call the reef home. Visiting the reef is a truly spectacular experience that should not be missed when you’re in Cairns.
• Green Island
Just 45 minutes off the coast of Cairns, Green Island is a remarkable island perfect for a day trip. Made of a coral cay, Green Island is the only one along the Great Barrier Reef that has a rainforest growing atop it.
Formed thousands of years ago, the island is the perfect place to relax for a day of snorkelling and relaxing on the beach. The pristine white sand is perfect to sunbathe on, head into the shallows to cool off and explore the beautiful marine life.
You can do a day trip to Green Island from Cairns or better yet experience a night staying on a tropical island.
• Atherton Tableland
Atherton Tablelands is a beautiful mix of wetlands and the rainforest. It is about an hour’s drive to reach the region and to experience a totally new scenery to what you get in Cairns.
Within Atherton Tableland is Lake Eacham! The lake is a volcanic crater that has been getting filled with rainwater for thousands of years. The lake’s water levels will rise during the wet season, Queensland’s peak rain season, and then it’ll fall due to natural evaporation. As motorised boats and jet skis are prohibited on the lake it is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing swim or kayak.
While in the region, make sure you check out the majestic curtain fig tree, whose roots have supported the mammoth tree for thousands of years.
• Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest is a lush oasis and is the world’s oldest rainforest! The remnants of the Gondwana super forests, the Daintree is home to endemic ancient trees and species.
Head over to the entrance of the Daintree and see Mossman Gorge. There are cultural tours available to learn about the Traditional Owners of the land. Support the local community at the Mossman Gorge Centre and pick yourself up a souvenir to remember the trip by!
Experience an overnight tour and discover the weird and wonderful creatures that thrive deep in the rainforest. Then spend your day swimming in lush rainforest waterholes and enjoy the soothing songs of native birds.
• Cairns Harbour
Head down to the Cairns Harbour, or Cairns Marlin Marina, the gateway to the oceanic attractions of Cairns. Enjoy the modern architecture of the area; sleek shapes and glass design give the marina a modern flare.
Along Cairns esplanade, you’ll find some of the best restaurants. Try delicious local seafood with views across the ocean or enjoy your morning coffee watching as boats head out from the docks for a day on the water.
Take yourself on a shopping spree and visit local boutiques and designer stores to pick yourself up something special.
With so many wonderful attractions in Cairns that you’ll be wishing you could stay there forever!
Related article: What to expect in the Wet Season Cairns?
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.