🏛️Main Attractions
- ✓Great Barrier Reef
- ✓Kuranda Rainforest
- ✓Cairns Esplanade
- ✓Port Douglas
Also check attractions in other Australia cities:
Cairns
Cairns
The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, this resort city allows you to enjoy the beauty of the rainforest and coral reefs.
🌐Other Cities in Australia
Recommended Hotels in Cairns
Hand-picked hotels and accommodations from Agoda (20 properties)
🏨Recommended Hotels
- ★Pullman Cairns International
- ★Shangri-La Hotel The Marina Cairns
- ★Riley A Crystalbrook Collection Resort
- ★Pacific Hotel Cairns
🍜Restaurants & Food
•Ochre Restaurant
¥¥¥Modern Australian & Bush Tucker
•Dundee's on the Waterfront
¥¥¥Seafood & Australian Steaks
•Perrotta's at the Gallery
¥¥¥Italian Fine Dining
•Raw Prawn Seafood Restaurant
¥¥Fresh Local Seafood
Also check restaurants in other Australia cities:
🛍️ Shopping
- •Cairns Central Shopping Centremall
City's largest shopping center with major retailers, supermarkets, and food court
- •Cairns Night Marketsmarket
Open Thursday-Sunday 5pm-11pm with souvenirs, clothing, local crafts, and food stalls
- •Rusty's Marketsmarket
Friday-Sunday morning market with fresh tropical produce, local food, and artisan crafts
- •The Pier Shopping Centremall
Waterfront shopping complex with boutiques, galleries, and dining overlooking the marina
💡 Travel Tips
- • Book Great Barrier Reef tours in advance, especially June-August peak season - compare operators carefully
- • Sun protection is critical - UV is extreme year-round, use SPF50+ and wear rash guards when snorkeling
- • Cairns city beaches are mudflats - use the free Esplanade Lagoon or visit Palm Cove/Trinity Beach
- • Marine stingers (jellyfish) are present November-May - protective suits required or swim at stinger nets
- • Kuranda Railway + Skyrail combo is worth it - book Gold Class for best rainforest views
🔗 Related Information
📋Quick Info
📅Best Season
April to September (dry season)
💰Daily Budget
$150-300/day
👥Popular With
DiversSnorkelersNature enthusiastsAdventure seekers
🗓️Recommended Stay
4-6 days
🌐Timezone
UTC+10 (AEST)
💬Local Language
English
💱Currency
AUD (Australian Dollar)
📅Cairns 3-Day Itinerary
Recommended plan for efficient sightseeing
Great Barrier Reef Experience
🌅
Morning8-9h
🌿
Full-day Great Barrier Reef cruise and snorkeling/diving
💡 Book certified operators. Costs $180-250. Includes lunch, equipment. Take seasickness pills. Bring underwater camera
☀️
Afternoon3-4h
🌿
Continue reef activities - multiple dive/snorkel sites
💡 Most tours visit 2-3 reef sites. Diving costs extra ($100-150). Marine life incredible - turtles, rays, reef sharks
🌙
Evening2h
🍜
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and waterfront dining
💡 Free saltwater swimming pool. BBQ facilities available. Night Markets open Thu-Sun 5-11pm
💡Tips
- •Wet season (November-April) brings humidity, rain, and marine stingers - dry season (May-October) is best
- •Great Barrier Reef is a must - allocate full day and budget accordingly ($180-250+ per person)
- •Book reef tours, Kuranda experiences in advance, especially during peak season (June-August)
- •Sun protection essential - UV is extreme, even on cloudy days (SPF50+, rash guard for reef)
- •Cairns has no swimmable beaches (mudflats) - use Esplanade Lagoon or visit nearby beaches (Palm Cove, Trinity Beach)