Cairns

Enter your dates to find available activities
All categories
Nature & Adventure
Boat tours
Attraction tickets
Day trips
Sightseeing tours
Local culture
Transportation

Top attractions in Cairns

See all tours & things to do in Cairns

Top 6 Essential Things To See Around Cairns

Cairns is in the north of the Australian state of Queensland. The area surrounding the city is a natural paradise - there's the Great Barrier Reef, for one thing - so here are a few exhilarating sights you can check out during a visit to the area.

  • 1. Great Barrier Reef Cruise

    Take a boat over to Green Island, where you can stop off and go swimming. Experience the unreal coral colors and stunning wildlife of the reef, illuminated by the sun.

  • 2. Reef Snorkeling

    You may not be able to delve 20,000 leagues under the sea, but you can go snorkeling, which is pretty close! Here's your chance to be a mermaid or merman for a couple of hours.

  • 3. Kuranda Rainforest

    Enjoy this lush tropical rainforest on the ground, or fly over it on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. You can also seamlessly glide from land to water in an amphibious vehicle!

  • 4. Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

    Experience the culture of the Aboriginal Djabugay people. Enjoy a didgeridoo show, visit a museum with ancient murals, try some Djabugay cuisine, and learn to throw a boomerang.

  • 5. Undara Lava Tubes

    Take a day to explore the Outback and walk around under a volcano - that's not something you get to do every day!

  • 6. Tully River White Water Rafting

    The Tully River hosted the 1991 Australian Canoe and White Water Rafting Championships. Don't worry, though, you're not alone, as each boat holds seven people.

Planning Your Visit

  • What should I wear?

    Owing to its near-equatorial location, Northern Australia is very hot all year round. Make sure to wear cool, cotton clothing, stay hydrated, and definitely layer up on sunscreen and a hat.

  • Are there any health and safety tips I should be aware of?

    Before your trip, consult your doctor about injections you may need to get. If you are walking around in the rainforest, be sure to bring mosquito repellent - ideally purchased locally, as creams from back home may not be suitable for the climate.

  • Do I need insurance for outdoor activities?

    For extreme sports like white water rafting, it's essential. There can also be an age limit, so if you happen to be under 18, do check in advance if you need to have a parent or guardian with you.

Good to know

  • Language
    English
  • Currency
    AUD ($)
  • Time Zone
    UTC (+10:00)
  • Country Code
    61
  • Best time to visit
    August is the best month to visit, when the weather is warm and sunny, with low humidity, and the peak season is ending.

Top Attractions in Cairns

Things to Do in Cairns

Cities in Australia

Other Sightseeing Options in Cairns

Want to discover all there is to do in Cairns? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Cairns

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 4,978 reviews

This was probably the most touristy thing we did while in Cairns/Port Douglas. Everything was extremely organised and explained clearly to us. Jun was extremely friendly. We loved his commentary on Cairns and the Great Diving Range as we drove through Cairns to pick everyone else up at their hotels.

Cairns: Self-Guided Kuranda Day Trip, Scenic Rail & Skyrail Reviewed by Britten, 05/04/2021

Helpful?

We had an excellent day at Kuranda. The highlights were the Kuranda Rainforest Station, animal sanctuary, Dreamtime and especially the aqua duck expertly guided by Chris. Learning how to throw a boomerang was hilarious fun. The train trip back was fascinating. Cheers

Kuranda Rainforest Full-Day Tour Reviewed by Anonymous, 06/04/2021

Helpful?

Great for kids under 10 and first timers. Was expecting a long continuous tubing experience, versus getting out and walking back up the river and doing the same rapids. But it was great for son who was doing it for first time. Andy, Sarah and Kai were great guides.

From Cairns and Northern Beaches: Rainforest River Tubing Reviewed by Kara, 06/04/2021

Helpful?

Great experience as someone who visited Cainrs for first time. The tour guide was amazing. Jim had a great sense of humour and kept us entertained with facts and his great energy all day long. We loved the trip and had a great time. Definitely would recommend.

Daintree, Mossman Gorge & Cape Trib Tour with Cruise & Lunch Reviewed by Raisha, 05/04/2021

Helpful?

Excellent tour, Tom WH had excellent commentary and stories. We had a great swim at Mossman gorge and the welcome to country ceremony and smoking ceremony were enlightening. We also enjoyed the river cruise down the Daintree river.

Daintree, Mossman Gorge & Cape Trib Tour with Cruise & Lunch Reviewed by Reid, 05/04/2021

Helpful?

Top destinations

Popular on GetYourGuide

Popular Attractions