If you are planning on visiting Tropical North Queensland in the near future here’s a heads up. You are going to need to get organised. There are so many things to do in Cairns and the surrounding region that you won’t be able to see everything.
Instead, you’ll need to prioritise your time and focus your sightseeing efforts on quality of experiences rather than quantity. With that in mind, here, in no particular order of importance, are 15 of the best things to do in Cairns and Tropical North Queensland.
As you will see, these sites, attractions and landmarks are quite diverse in nature – reflecting the appeal of the region. But spending time at any of them will give you a feel for what makes this Queensland holiday destination such a unique place to go to.
Visit The Great Barrier Reef
You can’t come to Cairns and not visit the Great Barrier Reef in some way. It is the law. Or at least it should be.
This World Heritage-Listed site is the largest coral reef system on the planet, comprising 900 islands and 3000 individual reefs, across an area of 350,000 square kilometres. As impressive as it is though, its sheer size can be an issue for the tourist when it comes to knowing where to start. Therefore, its best to get yourself on one of the tours that leave from the Cairns Marina.
Snorkelling and scuba diving are major activities which you should take advantage of, although those who prefer to not get wet can take glass bottom boat tours.
You should also brush up on your marine animals, as you may see up to 30 different varieties including the likes of humpback, bottlenose dolphins, dugongs and dwarf minkes.
If you can afford it, it is also worth undertaking a scenic flight of the area to take it in from a bird’s eye perspective.
Visit the Beaches
Tropical North Queensland is renowned for its idyllic beaches and although none of them are in the city of Cairns itself, there are around 20 you can visit within a ten-minute to 2.5 hour drive north of it.
The closest beach to Cairns is Machans Beach, which has a lovely waterfront walk that lines a rockwall. However, this isn’t the best beach for sunbathing and it is not patrolled by surf-lifesavers. For this reason you might want to head to Palm Cove, Port Douglas, Clifton Beach, Trinity Beach or Bramston Beach.
To take in incredible views of outstanding natural beauty, you should visit Yorkeys Knob, Ellis Beach and Cow Bay, while those wanting to indulge in a bit of nude sunbathing can bear all at the secluded Buchan Point (though be warned, this is not an official nudist beach so is subject to the very rare police patrol).
Whilst at any beach in Tropical North Queensland, you should be aware of the possible presence of crocodiles and stingers. Therefore you should never swim in the water alone, especially in the dark and only in the stinger nets.
Cairns Esplanade
The Cairns Esplanade is the heartbeat of the city and is where many people come to picnic, relax and socialise. It stretches for about 2.5 km along the gentle curve of the waterfront in the heart of the CBD and is a particularly popular spot for walking or jogging, with the Coral Sea providing a fantastic backdrop for a workout.
The Esplanade has plenty of barbecue and seating areas, as well as public amenities. It also accommodates playgrounds, cafes and restaurants and the Cairns lagoon. It is also perfectly safe and well lit, so you can walk up and down it at any time of the night and day with confidence.
Swim in the Cairns Lagoon
Talking of the Cairns Lagoon, you should definitely take the opportunity to enjoy a swim in it at some point during your time in the city. This fabulous 4800 square metre saltwater pool boasts a stunning location directly looking out to the Coral Sea.
You’ll be able to swim in it all day up to 9 pm at night, with the area being lit up at night to give it a more atmospheric vibe. It’s always popular, though it doesn’t ever seem to be jam packed, thanks to its big size.
Next to the lagoon is a grassed area where you can lay down a towel and sunbathe in between dips. There are also toilets, showers and lockers that enable you to store your valuables while you go for a dip.
Stroll around the Cairns Botanic Gardens
One of the best things to do in Cairns for free is paying a visit to the Cairns Botanic Gardens.
Situated just a five minute drive from the CBD, this stunning attraction sits on 38-hectares. It has been a fixture in the city since 1886 and features some very rare plant life. Notably it is home to one of Australia’s only two Amorphophallus Titanums.
Remarkably, this flowering plant, which has a rather Jurassic-look, can reach 70 kg in weight, with each individual leaf extending to up to seven metres in length.
Whilst at the gardens you can go on several guided walks to peruse the plant and wildlife. However, you’ll have to do it without your four-legged friend as they are not allowed into the attraction.
Visit the Cairns Aquarium
The Cairns Aquarium is a star attraction in the city and it is a particularly popular place to visit during the hottest parts of the day, or indeed when the rains hit.
Overall, it houses 9 different ecosystems, 11 zones, 71 exhibits and more than 16,000 animal species.
It also has the distinction of being the world’s only aquarium that houses wildlife from two separate World Heritage-listed sites – The Great Barrier Reef and The Daintree Rainforest .
One of its main highlights is the oceanarium which has an underwater tunnel you can walk through as sharks, stingrays and other marine creatures glide effortlessly above you. While another ‘must do’ experience is diving with sharks.
If you have the time, you should also take the Aquarium by Twilight Tour, which happens in the evening when most of the crowds have gone and includes a three course dinner.
Shop at Rusty’s Markets
If you happen to be in town on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday you should make a point of visiting Rusty’s Market.
Having been a fixture in the city for more than 30 years, this is where many locals come to buy fresh produce, enjoy a delicious Vietnamese coffee and browse over 180 different stalls – which sell everything from exotic fruit and vegetables to stylish bracelets made of crocodile-leather.
If you are lucky, you might even see Nick Holloway buying up some ingredients for the award winning Nu Nu Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Tropical North Queensland.
Nu Nu Restaurant
There are plenty of exceptional restaurants in Tropical North Queensland, but arguably the best is Nu Nu Restaurant in Palm Cove.
Offering world class fine-dining, the venue occupies a prime position in the Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore that features an outdoor dining area among the coconut palms. Located so close to the Coral Sea you can almost touch it, the venue presents an incredible menu of refined Australian dishes that change with the seasons.
The dishes are beautifully plated and often feature indigenous ingredients that make them unique.
Swimming Spots and Waterfalls
One of the most defining features of Tropical North Queensland is its main wonderful swimming spots and waterfalls, which you should make a point of visiting.
The Crystal Cascades, just 20 minutes from the city centre is one of the closest to the CBD. It is a secluded swimming hole that is flanked by big boulders and lush rainforest and many locals come here to cool off from the tropical warmth of summer. Once you’ve had a dip, be sure to check out neighbouring Fairy Falls.
Other terrific waterfalls include Josephine Falls, which also has a swimming hole, Millaa Millaa Falls, Tchupala Falls and Barron Falls, which is arguably the most impressive of the lot.
Hit the Bars
Looking for things to do in Cairns at night? Then, you should put hitting the bars at the top of the list.
Overall, Cairns has a huge range of places to whet your whistle, each of which offers a unique vibe and point of difference. One of the most notable venues is Rocco at Crystalbrook Riley, which is Cairns highest rooftop bar, offering 270-degree views of the Coral Sea and surrounding cityscape.
Others include Salt House, which serves terrific cocktails, Three Wolves, who have an excellent range of specialty whiskey and Flamingo’s Tiki Bar, whose drinks come with a dash of theatre. If you are a fan of gin you should also check out the Wolf Lane Distillery, while The Conservatory Bar on Lake Street is the place to go if you like to listen to live music.
Discover the Region’s Indigenous History
Cairns and Tropical North Queensland boasts over 40,000 years of rich indigenous history and culture, and for those who are interested in finding out more about it, there is plenty of opportunity.
A popular way to do this is through the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience at the Rainforestation in Kuranda, which will showcase everything from bush remedies and boomerang throwing to ancient rituals and the art of spearing.
However, you can also check out ancient art forms if you head to Laura and join the Jarramali Rock Art Tours, or have your soul cleansed of bad spirits during a smoking ceremony at Mossman Gorge.
If you happen to be in town around late July, you should also check out the Indigenous Art Fair. You should also go to the Bulmba-ja in Cairns, which presents the stories and works of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders.
Ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway
For those into trains, a visit to the Kuranda Scenic Railway is a must. You’ll have to venture up into the mountains to get to the village of Kuranda. However, its worth the trip alone to check out the quaint village that resides up there.
That said, the highlight of a trip to Kuranda has to be a ride along the scenic railway, which was built in 1891. It features 93 curves, 15 tunnels and several bridges that pass by waterfalls, steep ravines and lush rainforest on a scintillating two hour journey.
When it’s time to make your way back down, make sure you take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. It is another fantastic feature of engineering.
Hot Air Balloon Ride Over the Atherton Tablelands
You could be forgiven for thinking that Cairns is just about reefs and coastlines, but nothing could be further from the truth. Not too far from it lies the rolling green landscapes of the Atherton Tablelands, which reside in the middle of a lush plateau within the Great Dividing Range.
Defined by its rich tapestry of flora and fauna, this part of Tropical North Queensland is best seen by air, and in particular, at sunrise. Not only is this the coolest time of the day to explore the area, but it is also a time when the sky colours will dazzle you with their beauty.
One of the best tours of the area start at the Mareeba Heritage Centre in the town of Mareeba.
Visit Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
Crocodiles are prevalent in Tropical North Queensland, and while you probably wouldn’t want to come across them in the wild, you may want to see them at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.
For over 20 years, this tourist attraction has been one of the best things to do in Cairns. It runs a number of daily wildlife experiences including a boat cruise to see these creatures.
Aside from crocodiles, you can also choose to have breakfast with koalas or feed cassowaries. You can also stroll along the 2,5km boardwalk that takes you through eucalypt woodland and melaleuca wetlands to spot other exotic and native animals in their natural habitat.