30 Top Things to Do in Cairns Beyond Just the Great Barrier Reef
Cairns is the most famous for being the jumping off point to explore the Great Barrier Reef. However, there is so much more to Cairns and the surrounding area. Let’s take a look at 30 of the top things to do Cairns and the amazing surrounding areas!
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1. Explore the Great Barrier Reef
The number one things to do in Cairns is of course to visit the Great Barrier Reef. It is the largest coral reef in the world and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Combine that with being an easy day trip from Cairns and of course it comes in at number one. However, since the Great Barrier Reef is likely what has brought you to Cairns, let’s take a look at the other top things to do in Cairns.
Learn what its really like to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef.
2. Hike through Daintree Rainforest
Head to the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest rainforest, to explore one of the best things to do in the Cairns area. Not only is the rainforest extremely picturesque, but it unspoiled from some of the typical tourism experiences. While hiking through Daintree Rainforest, you can get to know the flora and fauna as well as the many animals that call the rainforest home. You can even seek out a waterfall or two. It is sure to delight all outdoor-lovers.
Take a day trip to Daintree and Cape Tribulation to get the full experience!
3. Relax on Green Island
Easily one of the favorite things to do in Cairns is visiting the stunning Green Island. Only 300 meters wide and 650 meters long, this island is located just 27km off the coast of Cairns and within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. You can spend all day exploring the white sand beaches and tropical rainforests, and snorkeling among the colorful coral and reef fish. Or, you can spend the night at one of the many eco-resorts in the area.
4. Go Whale Watching
With such a stunning coastline, Cairns is a great place to go whale and dolphin watching. You’ll find a wide variety of species depending on the time of year. In fact, over 35% of the world total living dolphin and whale species call the Great Barrier Reef home!
Whale season runs from May to September with about 2,000 – 20,000 whales making an annual migration from the cold waters of the Atlantic to the warmer waters of the Great Barrier Reef. For the highest likelihood of seeing whales, try between June and September.
5. Take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
One of the most popular ways to see Barron Gorge National Park is to take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway above the UNESCO World Heritage rainforest. It will take you over 7.5km of rainforest in a gondola that has a glass-bottom to admire the forest as you sail high above it.
Combine the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway into one awesome day trip!
6. Head to Fitzroy Island
Take a day trip over to Fitzroy Island to enjoy a scenic day full of adventure. After just a 45 minute ferry ride, you’ll arrive at this tropical paradise. Then spend your time walking the wilderness trails through the thick rainforest that covers 94% of the island, snorkeling the coral reefs surrounding the island that are teeming with fish, or taking a glass bottom boat ride.
7. Go Whitewater Rafting in Barron Gorge National Park
Experience the gushing water and steep ravines that run through Barron Gorge National Park by taking to the river! Plan a half-day to go white-water rafting on the grade three rapids. If you’re new to river rafting, this adventure is perfect for you!
8. Skydive Over the Great Barrier Reef
One of the best things to do in Cairns and one of the best ways to see the full beauty of the Great Barrier Reef is to go skydiving! Freefall for up to 60 seconds as you launch yourself out of a plane at 15,000 feet, and then casually float down over the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. It’s a must for adrenaline junkies!
Book your skydiving adventure now.
9. Gawk at Mossman Gorge
Carved by the Mossman River, the gorge winds through large granite boulders surrounded by lush green rainforest. Take a swim in the refreshing waters of the river or visit the Kuku Yalanji people who live in the area for a smoke ceremony where they will cleanse you from evil spirits.
Combine Mossman Gorge with Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation for a fun-filled day. See how to make this happen!
10. Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway
Take the 2 hour train ride from Cairns to the nearby town of Kuranda on one of Australia’s most scenic train journeys, the Kuranda Railway. While it was first built as a commuter train over 120 years ago, it is now primarily a tourist attraction as it travels through a beautiful World Heritage forest.
Make a full day out of the Kuranda Scenic Railway by exploring Barron Gorge further and adding on the the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
Learn more about how to day trip Kuranda Scenic Railway!
11. Explore Barron Gorge National Park by ATV
Located just 25 minutes outside of Cairns, Barron Gorge National Park offers a wide variety of adventures. One of the best options is to take a one hour ATV excursion! You’ll get to ride through the vibrant rainforest, see the impressive Barron Falls, taste exotic fresh fruit, and more!
12. Try Rainforest River Tubing
Jump onto a tube and spend two hours meandering down the Mulgrave River or through Behana Gorge under the giant canopy of the rainforest. You’ll be able to take in the stunning scenery from a different perspective as you ride through small rapids on the river.
Find out how to book a rainforest river tubing adventure!
13. Be Dazzled by Paronella Park
Located 120 km from Cairns, Paronella Park is Queensland’s number one tourist attraction and a perfect attraction for families. This wonderland features amazing photo opportunities as you stroll amongst a castle, waterfalls, a botanical garden, and more. It’s a fairytale like destination that offers both day time and night time experiences.
Learn more about visiting Paronella Park.
14. Visit Cairns Botanical Garden
One of the many free activities in Cairns, the Cairns Botanical Garden offers a wide variety of tropical plants and is located right in the city. Take a guided tour or explore on your own as you get to know all of the beautiful tropical plans in Australia.
15. Swim at the Crystal Cascades
Swim in a freshwater swimming hole deep in the tropical rainforest at Crystal Cascades. Located just 20 minutes outside of Cairns, you’ll find lots of small waterfalls that cascade into larger pools. It’s the perfect place to swim or have a picnic surrounded by the beautiful rainforest. Expect about a 1 mile walk on a paved trail from the parking area. And, as a bonus, there are toilet facilities available so you can spend as long as you want here!
16. Bungy Jump in the Daintree Rainforest
If you need your adrenaline rush, look no further than Daintree Rainforest just north of Cairns. In 1990 they erected the world’s first purpose built Bungy Tower. Standing at 50m tall, the tower enables you to view all the way out to the beaches and the Great Barrier Reef.
Book your bungy jump now! (Before you chicken out!)
17. Swing through the Rainforest
Drop from 45 meters to one in just 3.5 seconds, then swing back and forth through the rainforest, by yourself or with one or two friends. You’ll reach 120 km/hr during this adventure, and it’s Australia’s only multi-person jungle swing!
Book your jungle swing now or combine it with a bungy jump for maximum adventure!
18. Relax at Palm Cove
Known as being one of the best beaches in Cairns, Palm Cove is a seaside town named after the palm trees that line the beach. Visit as a day trip from Cairns or use it as your home base when exploring all of the things to do in Cairns and the surrounding areas.
19. Paddleboard through Goldsborough Valley
Try a new adventure in Goldsborough Valley. It’s the perfect place to learn to paddleboard with fairly still water and stunning scenery! See wild horses and rare aquatic animals and watch gold sparkle in the clear water as you glide over it. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you’ll enjoy the experience of paddleboarding in Goldsborough Valley.
20. Head up to the Atherton Tablelands
Avoid the crowds and heat of Cairns by heading to the highlands. Located just half an hour away from Cairns you’ll find many smaller towns with plenty to do. Take the Tableland Express steam journey, admire the Hou Wang Miau Chinese Temple, visit the Gallo Dairyland dairy farm, drink coffee at the Coffee Works boutique roastery, sip tea at the Lake Barrine tea house, or explore the fascinating Tyrconnell Historic Goldmine.
21. Shop at a Night Market
Open 365 days per year, the Cairns Night Market is open from 4:30 – 10:30 pm every night offering a wide array of delicious food stalls, local artisans wares, and of course more traditional souvenirs. It features lots of little restaurant stands and shopping stalls so you can sample your way through the many food options.
22. Visit Rusty’s Weekend Market
Looking for cheap fruit and vegetables? Rusty’s Weekend Market is the place to look! Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Rusty’s features a colorful assortment of over 180 stalls. You’ll not only find fresh fruits and vegetables, but also ready made food, cheese, chocolates and a collection of clothing and jewelry. Rusty’s frequently is one of the favorite free activities in Cairns.
23. Enjoy a Night Out on the Town
As Cairns is a popular backpacker hub, you’ll find a lot of great nightlife in town. Spend a night hitting some of the bars and clubs to mingle with tourists from all over the world.
24. Explore the Seaside Town of Port Douglas
A small resort town located near Cairns is Port Douglas. It can be used as a base for visiting the Great Barrier Reef, or you can simply enjoy the town itself. Port Douglas features a number of boutique shops and local restaurants to keep you entertained, or you can explore Four Mile Beach, visit the Port Douglas Lighthouse, and take a walk up to the top of Flagstaff Hill to admire the views.
25. Go Wine Tasting & Food Tasting
Venture into the Atherton Tablelands to try a number of local foods and drinks. You’ll leave no stone unturned and no share of stomach unfilled as you taste the local tropical fruits, homemade chocolates, cheese, and coffee. You’ll also get to taste wine from the local regions and stop at a distillery to sample their liqueurs and spirits. To sweeten the deal, the scenery can’t be beat!
Plan your food and wine tasting tour!
26. Visit the Cairns Aquarium
Can’t get enough sea life? Stop by the Cairns Aquarium. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the aquatic life in the region, and it is the only aquarium in the world to exclusively showcase the stunning aquatic wildlife from tropical North Queensland’s two World Heritage-listed areas – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest.
Don’t miss out – pre-book your tickets to the Cairns Aquarium.
27. Swim in the Cairns Lagoon
Another great free activity in Cairns is swimming at the Cairns lagoon. This giant, salt-water swimming pool butts up right to the oceanfront in the center of the city and is the perfect place to spend a few minutes relaxing, or even a whole day. It’s even surrounded by trees and some coverings for the shade seeking types.
28. Explore the Cairns Esplanade
The Cairns Esplanade is a 2.5 km palm-fringed waterfront trail that is perfect for walking, running, biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, etc. It follows the coast passing playgrounds, a water park, lots of outdoor fitness equipment (and classes), art, and often times, musicians. Spend an evening walking along as the sun is setting, take a picnic, or rent bikes to explore.
The Cairn’s Esplanade and the surrounding areas is one of the best free things to do in Cairns. No budget needed to enjoy the beauty of the area!
29. Travel to Undara Volcanic National Park
Visit an extinct volcano at Undara Volcanic National Park. Located about 260 km from Cairns, it will take about a full day to get there, explore, and drive back to Cairns, or you can stay overnight in a wide variety of accommodations like antique railway carriages, pioneer huts, or glamping tents. Either way, visiting Undara Volcanic National Park offers the unique opportunity to walk through some of the longest lava tubes in the world!
30. See It All from the Air
Can’t decide between the Great Barrier Reef, the stunning islands, National Parks, and Rainforests? Take a scenic helicopter flight to see it all! Coast over stunning waterfalls and through the emerald mountains and see the Great Barrier Reef at scale from the air. It’s a great way to take in all the awe-inspiring scenery that Cairns has to offer.
Find out more about scenic helicopter tours.
Plan More of Your Time in Australia
As you can tell, there are plenty of things to do in Cairns for everyone. Whether you are looking for a quiet, relaxing holiday or want to seek out the adrenaline rushes, Cairns can provide it. Similarly, any budget is welcome. There are plenty of free activities in Cairns and plenty of higher ticket items as well to get a more luxurious trip in the region.
Whatever your plans are, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef are a must visit on your Australia journey! Here are some additional posts to help you continue planning your journey to Australia.
- Scuba Diving the Great Barrier Reef in Australia: What It’s Really Like
- Traveling by Bus in Australia: What You Need to Know
- Airlie Beach: Gateway to the Whitsundays
- Day Trip to the Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach
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