Cairns

Sights

• Great Barrier Reef – The world's largest coral reef system – by boat to snorkel or dive.
• Daintree Rainforest – One of the oldest rainforests on Earth, with crocodiles in the river.
• Cape Tribulation – Where the rainforest meets the reef.
• Esplanade Lagoon – A large seaside swimming lagoon, free and jellyfish-safe.
• Port Douglas – A small resort town with Four Mile Beach and boats to the outer reef.
• Green Island – A coral cay with a beach and rainforest, close to Cairns.

Food & nightlife

• Barramundi – The typical fish of the tropical north.
• Tropical fruit – Mango, dragon fruit and lychees from Rusty's Market.
• Night Markets – Food stalls and massages in the centre in the evening.
• Pubs on the Esplanade – A cold beer after a day on the reef.

Day trips

• Kuranda – Up on the historic railway, back down by cable car over the rainforest.
• Atherton Tablelands – Waterfalls, crater lakes and giant fig trees.
• Fitzroy Island – An island with trails, a reef and a turtle rehabilitation centre.

Good to know

When to go

June–October

Getting around

The airport is close to town; a hire car for the Daintree and Port Douglas (drive on the left). Jellyfish appear roughly November to May – swim only inside nets or in a stinger suit, and heed crocodile warnings.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary.

Power

Plug type I, 230 V – pack an adapter for Swiss plugs.

Currency

Australian Dollar (AUD)

Plan your trip to Cairns together

Create a trip plan and the Travel Guide comes with it – with a map, ideas to suggest and saved for offline use.

Plan with Pickeed

More in Australia

• Sydney
• Melbourne