Things To Do in Cairns

Looking for things to do in Cairns? This guide has got you covered. Discover the best outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and must-visit landmarks in this vibrant Australian city.

Cairns offers many activities and attractions, including the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest. When visiting Tropical North Queensland, allocate enough time to enjoy all the region offers. If you are new to Cairns, here are recommended things.

1. Consider visiting the Great Barrier Reef

One of the top priorities is visiting the Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage-listed wonder near Cairns.

There are tour boats available at the marina that can take you to the nearby islands and outer reefs. Whether you have limited time and want to see the Great Barrier Reef quickly, or if you have more time and prefer to stay on a liveaboard, there are various reef tours to choose from.

2. See the city views at Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome

Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome is a popular destination for those seeking to increase their heart rate.

The rooftop of The Reef Hotel Casino offers a unique visitor experience that combines a ropes course with a wildlife park, making it the first of its kind in the world.

One reason this park has earned a place in the list of the best wildlife experiences in Cairns is the opportunity to zipline over a 4.5m crocodile named Goliath.

3. Discover underwater wonders at Cairns Aquarium

Exploring all the diverse ecosystem ecosystems in Tropical North Queensland can be challenging due to its vastness and various nature experiences.

The Cairns Aquarium offers visitors the opportunity to explore 16,000 species of animals across ten ecosystems and 71 exhibits. It is also the only aquarium in the world to feature wildlife from two World Heritage-listed sites.

At Cairns Aquarium, visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences, including traditional behind-glass aquarium viewing, diving with sharks (no prior experience necessary), and taking a guided Marine Life Encounters tour that includes access to behind-the-scenes areas and the newly established turtle hospital.

4.Bondi offers body-boarding, surfing, and Iceberg watching

Cairns Botanic Gardens, occupying 38 hectares and located five minutes from the Cairns CBD, is a free activity that can be enjoyed in Cairns.

The tropical plants in this area have been established since 1886 and are both rare and well-established.

The gardens contain one of the two Amorphophallus Titanums discovered in Australia.

This flowering plant resembles something from the Jurassic era and can grow up to 70kg. Each leaf can reach nearly seven meters, making it the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world.

There are guided walks available for exploring gardens and spotting wildlife.

5. Get Active Outdoors

Instead of staying in your hotel gym, consider exploring Cairns’ outdoor attractions for a more interactive experience. Locals in Cairns often exercise on the 2.5km Cairns Esplanade pavement in the mornings, enjoying the scenic view of the Coral Sea. Cairns Regional Council has placed markers every 500m for easy distance monitoring so you can leave your sports watch at home. To find more fitness inspiration, visit this guide to Cairns for fitness enthusiasts.

6. Rainforest swimming

In Tropical North Queensland, knowing where to stay and finding places to cool off is essential due to the annual weather pattern.

To find consistently pleasant swimming conditions, consider visiting Stoney Creek, Crystal Cascades, or Fairy Falls. These locations are conveniently situated within the Wet Tropics Rainforest, approximately 25 minutes from Cairns CBD.

7. Explore Rusty's Markets

The region’s local produce at Rusty’s Markets is vibrant and colourful, just like the landscape.

Rusty’s has been operating from its Grafton St location for over 30 years, with over 180 stalls packed into one city block offering a wide range of products, including sarongs, Vietnamese coffee, fruits and vegetables, and crocodile-leather bracelets.

Fresh produce is a popular draw for acclaimed chefs in Tropical North Queensland, including Nick Holloway of the award-winning Nu Nu Restaurant in Palm Cove.

8. Go bar hopping

When visiting Cairns, exploring the city as a tourist can be tiring, especially with the tropical climate and humidity. Keeping a list of Cairns’s best bars and breweries saved in your favourites would be helpful. Cairns’ city footprint boasts a wide range of establishments, including speakeasy-inspired gin joints, rooftop bars with views of the Coral Sea, and breweries that serve frothies made from the healing waters of Mossman Gorge.

9. Hit the shops

Tropical North Queensland offers souvenirs, ranging from small linen tea towels to hand-painted didgeridoos.

To find items from tropical regions, visit the shops in the Central Business District, including the Cairns Night Markets, Cairns Central, Oceana Walk, Grafton Streets boutiques, or any of the local markets.

10. Enjoy a seafood feast

The distance between the trawler and the table is significantly reduced compared to other destinations in Cairns.

For those searching for various seafood options, here is a list of the top seafood restaurants in Cairns that will satisfy your taste buds.

For a memorable dinner experience, visit the marina and board the Prawn Star. This unique restaurant consists of four restored fishing trawlers adorned with festive lights. They offer a delightful combination of fresh seafood and cold beers.

11. Attend an art exhibition

Tropical North Queensland is known for inspiring many artists and has a thriving art gallery scene.

To explore the relationship between artists and the natural environment, consider visiting the Cairns Art Gallery and Court House Gallery, conveniently located next to each other.

Bulmba-ja in Cairns features the art and stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, focusing on Indigenous culture.

12. Explore history at the Cairns Museum

You can visit The Cairns Museum on Lake St in Cairns’ CBD to explore the city’s history.

The Cairns Museum presents a comprehensive range of stories, including Indigenous history and the legacy of the cane pioneers, providing a complete perspective on the Tropical North Queensland narrative.

The museum covers various aspects of Cairns’ history, including significant events such as toad plagues, mould outbursts, and the influence of the 1970s hippie movement.

13. Discover Cairns' top playgrounds

When travelling with young children, knowing the nearest playground’s location and where you can find coffee is essential. In Tropical North Queensland, several popular playgrounds, such as Muddy’s Playground, are worth considering for your child’s itinerary. This playground is shaded by towering Fig Trees and is located on the Cairns Esplanade. This playground offers a flying fox, slides, a rope bridge, and an onsite café called Muddy’s Café, making it stand out. To enhance your playground experience, consider visiting Fig Tree Playground, the ultimate treehouse, and Centenary Lakes, a natural playground.

14. Swim in Cairns Lagoon

The Cairns Lagoon is a well-known public pool with a spacious saltwater swimming area of 4800 square meters facing the Coral Sea.

This free swimming hole in the CBD attracts a crowd day and night, with safe swimming conditions available until 9 p.m.

Visitors can enhance their day by bringing food to cook on the complimentary BBQs nearby or participating in one of Cairns Council’s free fitness events, which offer a variety of activities such as pilates and volleyball.

15. Catch a Show

In Cairns, there is a centralised place called Ticketlink where you can find information about all events happening in Council-owned venues. This is a list of events at The Tanks, Munro Martin Parklands, and Cairns Performing Arts Centre.

16. Find family-friendly pursuits in Kuranda

Kuranda is a jungle village near Cairns, ideal for a family outing. The offerings are remarkable, and the mountainous ambience offers relief from the seaside warmth. Witness native animals at the Butterfly Refuge and Koala Haven, or travel on the distinctive Kuranda Panoramic Train. Moreover, delve into lively bazaars, appreciate a Pamagirri Dance Show at Rainforestation Eco Park, and gaze at the planet’s most ancient rainforest via a Skyrail gondola.

17. Explore Cairns On Two Wheels

Cycling is a favoured and handy method to traverse Cairns. Hire bicycles from Cairns Scooter and Cycle Rental and relish the metropolitan’s diverse cycling routes and adjacent locales, encompassing the Esplanade and neighbouring waters and hamlets.

18. Raft on the Barron River

For those families with a penchant for thrill, consider incorporating river rafting into your itinerary. Foaming Fury presents a mid-day family adventure suitable for children between six and 11 years old. This excursion engages with level one and two rapids, ensuring an adventurous, secure rafting journey. For families with mature kids (ages 12 and up), there’s an option for a mid-day journey that plunges into bubbling white currents of grade-three rapids.