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Cairns
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.
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Top Cairns tours
Popular things to do in Cairns
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Duration: 8h
Duration: 2h 30min
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Duration: 8h
Side trips from Cairns
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Tours in Cairns
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Duration: 2h 30min
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Duration: 5h
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Duration: 8h
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Duration: 30min
Hidden gems in Cairns
Duration: 2h 30min
Duration: 4h
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Shopping in Cairns
Duration: 1h 30min
Duration: 1h 30min
Duration: 30min
Duration: 2h 30min
Places to visit with Cairns
Recently planned trips to Cairns
6 days in Cairns Region
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
June, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife, popular sights
PREFERENCES: June, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
14 days in Australia
BY A USER FROM INDONESIA
May, teens, popular sights
PREFERENCES: May, teens
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
14 days in Australia
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
June, popular sights
PREFERENCES: June
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
6 days in Great Barrier Reef
BY A USER FROM SINGAPORE
August, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, shopping, wildlife, popular sights
PREFERENCES: August, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, shopping, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
23 days in Australia
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
June, popular sights
PREFERENCES: June
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
22 days in New South Wales, Melbourne & Cairns
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
October, popular sights
PREFERENCES: October
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
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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.
