15 Best Things to Do in Cairns
Every one of us knows Cairns to be the doorway to the Great Barrier Reef. But, do you know it houses rare Indigenous cultures too? Situated in the northern part of the great Queensland- Cairns has innumerable treats ready just for you. It might look like it’s a small town with a low population- the visual treats present will blow your mind away. However, if you treat this trip as a weekend gateway, you might need some aid in deciding which place to visit first. While the Great Barrier Reff tops everyone’s list, you must not miss out on a visit to the Daintree Rainforest area or take a dip in the Crystal Cascades. Let us get into some other details now!
Try out the different adventures of The Great Barrier Reef
Being the world’s largest coral reef as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site- The Great Barrier Reef is filled with millions of tourists every year. A trip to Cairns is impossible without going there. You can explore the place in more than one way. You can swim around, take a look at the blend of different colors.
However, did you know you can do a lot of things there? Several tour operators organize trips about The Great Barrier Reef letting you have a look at the Reef like never before. Try out snorkeling or scuba diving! Not interested enough? How does an underwater observatory sound? The boat cruise through the crystal waters is heavenly too.
Cool yourself in the Crystal Cascades
Cairns is quite famous for its refreshing waterfalls. If it gets hot enough and you feel like taking a dip in some cool water- Crystal Cascade is a beautiful place to do that. Grab ahold of some of your friends and head over there. It is just 20 minutes away from the main city. Situated in the bosom of the tropical rainforest, the Crystal Cascade is quite a picturesque hidden gem of Cairnes. If you want to have a picnic, there are some spots present which will allow you to have a BBQ party as well!
Hike around the Daintree Rainforest
Daintree Rainforest of Australia is the oldest in the world. It covers up a massive area and is filled with vast varieties of flora and fauna. It is said that the bats and butterflies for which Australia is famous, are found right here. The sights are charming and extremely picturesque. The trails are huge and innumerable. Hike through them and take a minute to sit back and look at the beauty around you. However, the place is too big to cover on foot. For this very reason, there is now a helicopter service that flies just above the rainforest showing you an aerial view of all of it. It generally costs between 70-100 AUD per person.
Paddle amidst the Daintree Rainforest
If you don’t feel comfortable walking through the vast area of Daintree and don’t want to fly above it- there is another option especially for people like you who want to experience the beauty of staying in the middle of it.
Hire a paddleboat and cruise through the crystal waters that flow among the forests. The activity is extremely relaxing and will allow you to have a look at every corner of the large forest with a view of lined-up Avatar trees on both sides of the water. Sweep through the waters and try stopping to eat some local fruits. Do catch the sunset on the boat.
Walk along Cape Tribulation Beach
Cape Tribulation is the iconic spot that joining the two heritage sites- Daintree Rainforest on one side and the Great Barrier Reef on the other. There are a lot of beaches here that you can explore after your trip to either one of the heritage sights. The place looks almost magical during the sunsets. Moreover, it is lined up with golden sand that shines when the red setting sun falls on it. You could take some great pictures for an aesthetic Instagram post.
There are a lot of local tour operators who organize a trip that include The Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Cape Tribulation Beach. You can book the trips and enjoying every detail of the gorgeous place.
Witness the beautiful Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
The Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is one of the best things to do in Cairns. It has won several awards from local as well as international agencies. But, the best part about this park is that you could learn about the aboriginal culture in quite an interesting way.
They have taken the responsibility upon themselves to let people know about their culture. They play out their stories in the form of a drama with actors playing out different parts. They even take the help of holograms sometimes. There are a lot of activities you can do here too. Apart from exploring the different themes of the park, you can even go canoeing. There are also several walking tours available where you get to see how they live, what they feed on, and the nitty-gritty of their day-to-day life!
Take a snap of the palms in Palm Cove
Palm Cove is considered to be Cairn’s most beautiful village. It is situated just beside the seashore. The beauty of its sandy beach is beyond words and is something you have to come and experience for yourself! No matter what adjectives we use to describe the beach will fall short.
You can go scuba diving or kayaking here. You can even sit on the beach and call it a chill day. Visitors from all over the globe come to this beach to rejuvenate themselves. There is also a golf course nearby. So, if you are a professional or just want to try your hand at something new, you can do that.
Learn about the flora and fauna at the Cairns Botanical Gardens
The flora and fauna of Australia are showcased here at the Cairns Botanical Garden beautifully. You can learn about the tropical plantations. Take a glimpse of some of the original birds and animals of Australia. Do note that this botanical garden is completely different and is not in any way similar to any of the others you might have seen in the cooler climates. Similar to the Daintree Rainforest tours, there are also a lot of walking tours here at the botanical gardens where you learn about all the species as you walk by them.
Ride in the Scenic Railway
Kuranda is a quaint little village near Cairns. The Aboriginal Park is present there. But, the thing that attracts tourists more than the village itself is the process of getting there. There are a lot of ways by which you can visit Kuranda, but the most beautiful one is by taking a ride in the Scenic Railways. The railway goes through a windy path that offers some of the most splendid views of the Rainforest.
Built almost 120 years ago, the railway was initially used for carrying goods between the two small towns. But, now it does not offer that service anymore. It has just become a tourist attraction and takes tourists from Cairns to Kuranda. The trip takes only two hours which feels like a couple of minutes as people are usually engrossed in the scenes around them. While coming to Cairns from Kuranda, do try out the gondola that has some exquisite aerial views of the Rainforest.
Pay the Tablelands a visit
The Tablelands are situated just an hour away from Cairns. But, it often happens that Cairns steals away its spotlights. The place is extremely calm and peaceful with scenic beauties. Also, if the Cairns gets too hot for you, you could always visit the Tablelands. The altitude is higher, and so the temperature is lower too.
There are a lot of sweet spots located there along with pretty little dairies and bakeries.
Experience the heavenly Port Douglas
Just like Palm Cove, Port Douglas is another mesmerizing sea town located near Cairns. Warning: It might get a bit expensive. But, the ambiance is incredible with a lot of spas and boutiques to splurge on. If you are looking for a honeymoon destination- Port Douglas is the ideal location. It is laid-back, quiet, and some lovely spots. Wander about the little spot, sit on the beach, relax, know more about their exotic history. The Four Mile Beach and the Port Douglas Lighthouse are some nice places to check out. The views are nice and serene, and overall offer a good experience.
Plan a day-trip to Green Island
Green Island is the epitome of how Australian beaches should too. The long coastline, golden sands, a beautiful amalgamation of the blue sky and turquoise water- Green Island is an infamous tourist destination.
It is not far away from Cairns and is a mere 27 kilometers. It takes an hour to go there at the maximum. Many cute resorts are located here that will make you consider staying there overnight. Also, the area falls under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park which is also a heritage site. Foreigners flock to this beach throughout the year and it is generally a crowded place. The pristine sea, vast rainforests, and sunny weather make it an enjoyable place.
Encounter lava up and close
Have you ever seen lava in front of you before? When asked, surely many of you are bound to say no. However, now you have a chance to fulfill this wish of yours. And, it is weirdly safe enough! Here at the Undara Volcanic National Park, there are a lot of tours available where the guide shows you lava. Sounds too good to be true, right? The volcano is now extinct, but the lava tubes are very much present there. In the entire world, only 23 countries provide this opportunity, and this one is claimed to be the biggest out there!
Book a hot air balloon
Visiting Cairns without taking a ride in a hot air balloon is like missing out on a skiing trip while you are in the Alps. Did you know Queensland also happens to be the hot air ballooning capital of the world? The best time to get on one of these balloons is in the early morning when the sun is just about to rise. The views are spectacular as you get to see the Reef, the rainforests, as well as the green farmlands, and the blue oceans. Swooping amidst the clouds is an adventure in itself. Your pilot will also let you know about the lookouts while you are up in the sky.
Live up to the hype of the Lyquid Nightlife
Cairns is a party spot. Despite having all these amazing natural beauties, at the end of the day, it turns into an ideal place for those party animals. So, if you also happen to be one of them- you might have come to the right place.
The young generation of Australia chooses Cairns to come and party. The best nightclub in the place- Lyquid is a gorgeous spot. The interior is luxurious and is filled with people who know how to party. It will cater to all your needs.
There are also several other pubs and clubs in the town which will show you how lively Cairns can be when you want it to be.
This concludes our trip to Cairns. It is an immensely exquisite place that contains a lot of heritage sights ranging from the Great Barrier Reef to the Daintree Rainforests. Learn about the aboriginal culture as well as the flora and fauna of Australia. The visual treats are too much for just a weekend. So, take your time to enjoy the various views that Cairns has to offer for every one of them are beautiful in their very own ways!
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