The 16 Best Things to Do in Cairns, Australia

The Cairns Esplanade is perhaps the most frequented of the city’s attractions. Not only is it a go-to for active tourists and locals, it also holds historical significance: this is the spot where the first explorers dragged themselves ashore in the 1800s. With swampy mangroves on one side, cafés and restaurants on the other and a saltwater lagoon and family-friendly park area at its centre, this community space is a haven for birdlife and ideal for a stroll or family picnic. It’s best captured at dusk, which is also the busiest time.

Making the most of the tropical north’s great climate, the open-air Cairns Night Markets are a local institution. Open every night of the week at the Esplanade across from the lagoon, the markets feature an array of locally made products and artisan gifts and are the perfect place to grab dinner and snacks. Another classic Cairns market, Rusty’s is well worth a visit – especially in the morning, if you can brave the early start (5am). Operating every Friday, Saturday and Sunday since 1975, Rusty’s Market has long been a pinnacle of the Cairns foodie scene. Recommended by Alice Duffield

Gliding over the world’s oldest tropical rainforest in a Diamond View glass-bottomed gondola is the best way to experience the beauty of the Daintree. The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway journeys over the MacAlister Ranges, offering one-way or return trips between the city’s Smithfield Terminal and the village of Kuranda. There are four stops on the 1.5-hour one-way journey where guests can alight and enjoy the scenery and abundance of nature the ancient rainforest provides. Barron Falls and Kuranda Village are two must-visit stops. Be sure to catch the scenic railway back at the end of the day.

A true botanical paradise, Cairns Botanic Gardens have the best collection of tropical plants in Australia, including orchids, fruit trees, carnivorous plants and a handful of rare species that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Established in the mid-1880s, the Cairns Botanic Gardens make for a great escape from the city, with lush pockets of rainforest, waterways, ornate bridges, sweeping lawns and heritage architecture. Recommended by Alice Duffield

In the heart of the Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge is a truly unforgettable spot. One of the best ways to experience its magic is by going on a Mossman Gorge Indigenous Dreamtime Walk. Led by Aboriginal guides, this is a truly unique and spiritual experience that shows you the ancient connection between the rainforest and the First Nations People, from medicinal plants and food to tools and cultural relics. Recommended by Alice Duffield

With the world’s largest collection of locally made didgeridoos, boomerangs and an extensive range of other traditional Aboriginal artefacts, Doongal is the gallery to visit for authentic indigenous artworks. Passionate cultural art enthusiast Fred Nooravi teamed up with three Kuranda Aboriginal artists to open the gallery in 1993 and today it features as many as 150 Central Australian artists, 20 of them local and specialising in Aboriginal rainforest art. There are three galleries to peruse here and plenty of art to consider.

Sheltered waters, the Great Barrier Reef and a diversity of marine life make Fitzroy Island an attractive tropical haven. Situated a 45-minute ferry ride from the CBD, this unspoilt isle is the best spot to snorkel or dive off the beach. Welcome Bay and Nudey Beach are the most popular sites, each boasting hard and soft corals just metres from the shore, and there’s even a sea turtle rehabilitation centre to explore. Whether you spend a day or stay overnight, Fitzroy is safe and warm year-round.

Built between 1886 and 1891, the Kuranda Scenic Railway runs from Cairns to the historic town of Kuranda, over the Macalister Range and through the Barron Gorge National Park, passing by plunging waterfalls and through ancient rainforests. Although the train journey is spectacular, Kuranda is a tourist attraction in its own right, known for its alternative, bohemian vibe, as well as the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Kuranda Koala Gardens and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, to name just a few. Recommended by Alice Duffield

Home to more than 16,000 specimens, 10 ecosystems and 71 habitats across Tropical North Queensland, Cairns Aquarium opened in 2017 and became the first public aquarium to be built in Australia in 18 years. Visitors can interact with some of the world’s rarest animals and learn about the colourful, mesmerising aquatic wildlife from the Far North’s two World Heritage listed areas – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Submarine simulators, presentations, shark dives and Turtle Rehabilitation Centre tours (post-Covid) make this one of the most sought-after family activities in Cairns.

You can’t go to Cairns and not experience the Great Barrier Reef. A truly unforgettable experience, and one of the world’s most incredible natural wonders, there are many ways to experience the reef from Cairns, including day tours, scenic helicopter flights, live-aboard dive boats and overnight trips. Recommended by Alice Duffield

This hidden paradise is at the foothills of Queensland’s highest mountain Bartle Frere (Chooreechillum), about 56km (35mi) from Cairns city. Babinda Boulders is a popular swimming hole and a place of spiritual significance for indigenous people. The Babinda Creek can be thunderous due to the high average annual rainfall, while the surrounding area is thick with tropical rainforest and lush with trees, ferns, vines, moss and lichen. Camping and swimming are permitted and there’s a sealed walking track and picnic areas to enjoy.

Just outside the city, Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park was established in 1987 as a way of preserving and sharing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and traditions. One of the most interesting places to visit in Cairns, Tjapukai’s attractions include Dreamtime performances and dancing, fire-making ceremonies, art workshops, guided bush walks through the jungle and learning about traditional hunting methods including throwing spears and boomerangs. Recommended by Alice Duffield

Crystalbrook Collection has joined the hotel block in Cairns, with two properties opening recently. In addition to its enviable position on the Esplanade, Eleme Day Spa and Rocco Rooftop Barand Restaurant are two good reasons to spend an afternoon at Riley. Eleme offers personalised treatments and five-star pampering for men, women, couples and groups, with the Eleme Voyages treatments considered the height of luxury. Rocco is the go-to for a sunset drink and light bite or meal. As Rocco is the city’s highest rooftop bar and restaurant, incredible views, vibes and great Mediterranean-style food are givens.

Thrill seekers in Cairns won’t want to pass up the chance to hit up one of Australia’s best white-water rafting locations, the Tully River. Cascading through the rainforest, the river is just as well known for its scenery and wildlife as it is for its adrenaline-fuelled fun. If a full day of adventuring on the Tully River seems a little too extreme, or you’d prefer something a little slower paced, a half-day rafting trip on the Barron River is also a great option, especially for beginners. Recommended by Alice Duffield

Cairns is the traditional land of the Yirrganydji and Yidinji peoples and the best way to learn about this part of its history is to pay a visit to the Tjapukai Cultural Park. Tjapukai has been sharing the traditional culture and traditions of the Djabugay people for decades and hosts theatre performances, boomerang and spear-throwing demonstrations, Didgeridoo playing, smoking ceremonies, bush tucker walks and evening experiences that include fireside corroborees. Although temporarily closed during Covid-19, the attraction is one of the city’s most popular.

The perfect place to escape the tropical heat and humidity, the Atherton Tablelands are well worth visiting when in Cairns. Part of Australia’s Great Dividing Range, the Atherton Tablelands are full of unique and fascinating sights, including ancient volcanoes, complete with crater lakes and giant lava tubes, local markets like Yungaburra, teahouses at Lake Barrine and Mungalli Falls and the Tyrconnell Historic Gold Mine. Recommended by Alice Duffield