Cairns trip planner

Create a fully customized
day-by-day itinerary for free

Itinerary Planner
+ Add destination
2 adults
Adults
- +
Teens
- +
Kids
- +
Close
Trip Planner :  South Pacific  /  Australia  /  Queensland  /  Cairns Region  /  Cairns

Cairns

4.2
Wildlife Adventure Trails

The Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing. The city has an easygoing, unpretentious atmosphere that makes it easy for visitors to adjust to local life. Much of the appeal of Cairns comes from its backdrop of forested hills and flanked by attractive beaches. Cairns is in Cairns Region. Take a look at our Australia trip itinerary maker app to refine the details of your trip to Cairns.
Create a full itinerary — for free!
Save Saved

Plan your trip to Cairns

  • Get a personalized plan

    A complete day-by-day itinerary
    based on your preferences

  • Customize it

    Refine your plan. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules

  • Book it

    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off

  • Manage it

    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.
Top Cairns tours
Great Barrier Reef Diving and Snorkeling Cruise from Cairns BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $117
4.5
586 reviews
Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
Buy tours from $117
Green Island Day Trip from Cairns BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $70
4.5
520 reviews
Duration: 8 hours
Buy tours from $70
Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $119
4.5
447 reviews
Duration: 7 hours
Buy tours from $119
View more tours

Popular things to do in Cairns

View all >
©
Scuba & Snorkeling
4.2
Duration: 8​h
©
Esplanade Boardwalk
4.7
Duration: 2​h 30​min
©
Nature & Wildlife Tours
4.7
Duration: 8​h
©
Esplanade Lagoon Pool
4.6
Duration: 2​h

Side trips from Cairns

©
Scuba & Snorkeling
Port Douglas
4.8
Duration: 8​h
©
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
Palm Cove
4.7
Duration: 4​h
©
Four Mile Beach
Port Douglas
4.4
Duration: 4​h
©
Palm Cove Beach
Palm Cove
4.4
Duration: 2​h 30​min

Tours in Cairns

View all >
©
Helicopter Tours
4.2
Duration: 2​h 30​min
©
Balloon Rides
4.5
Duration: 5​h
©
Photography Tours
5.0
Duration: 2​h 30​min
©
Rail Tours
4.0
Duration: 8​h

Hidden gems in Cairns

©
Atherton Tablelands
4.7
Duration: 2​h 30​min
©
Shark Diving
4.4
Duration: 4​h
©
Josephine Falls
4.8
Duration: 2​h
©
Michaelmas Cay
4.3
Duration: 3​h

Shopping in Cairns

©
Rusty's Market
4.3
Duration: 1​h 30​min
©
Stockland Cairns Shopping Centre
4.1
Duration: 2​h 30​min
©
Cairns Central Shopping Centre
3.8
Duration: 1​h 30​min
©
Australian Leather Company
4.6
Duration: 30​min

Wildlife in Cairns

View all >
©
Fishing Charters & Tours
3.8
Duration: 4​h 30​min
Green Arrow Walk
4.6
Duration: 4​h
Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Places to visit with Cairns

Port Douglas BEST FOR: Wildlife, Adventure, Beaches
Fraser Island BEST FOR: Nature, Wildlife, Beaches
Brisbane BEST FOR: Parks, Wildlife, Museums
Cape Tribulation BEST FOR: Adventure, Nature, Trails
Airlie Beach BEST FOR: Adventure, Wildlife, Beaches
Load more
Visit a single location or make it a multi-destination trip.

Recently planned trips to Cairns

15 days in Australia BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM August, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 28 days in Australia BY A USER FROM GERMANY August, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, wildlife, popular sights PREFERENCES: August, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 19 days in Australia BY A USER FROM INDIA April, teens, kids, popular sights PREFERENCES: April, teens, kids ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 19 days in Australia BY A USER FROM INDIA April, teens, kids, popular sights PREFERENCES: April, teens, kids ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 15 days in Australia BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA July, popular sights PREFERENCES: July ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 3 days in Cairns BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA July, relaxing, romantic, popular sights PREFERENCES: July, relaxing, romantic ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium
View more plans
Message from Tourism Australia
The gateway to Queensland's tropical north, Cairns is a laid-back city best enjoyed outdoors. Visit Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest, but don't miss the great things to do in and around town. You'll find brilliant cafés, bustling markets and plenty of beaches nearby. Relax by a resort pool or spend your days exploring this tropical oasis. International flights arrive at Cairns Airport, a 10 to 15 minute drive from the city centre. In Cairns you'll find plenty of activities to get your heart racing.
See also: