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Trip Planner :  South Pacific  /  Australia  /  Queensland  /  Cairns Region  /  Cairns

Cairns

4.3
Scuba & Snorkeling · Hiking Trails · Water Sports
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. Our Australia tour planning app allows you to plan your trip to Cairns and a wealth of other destinations big and small.
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    Top Cairns tours

    FROM $129 BOOK WITH VIATOR Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns
    4.5
    Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
    Tours from $129 »
    FROM $135 BOOK WITH VIATOR Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns
    4.4
    Duration: 7 hours
    Tours from $135 »
    FROM $85 BOOK WITH VIATOR Green Island Day Trip from Cairns
    4.1
    Duration: 8 hours
    Tours from $85 »

    Popular things to do in Cairns

    ©
    World heritage site
    Scuba & Snorkeling
    4.2
    Duration: 8 hours
    Esplanade Boardwalk ©
    Hiking Trail
    Esplanade Boardwalk
    4.7
    Duration: 2 hours
    ©
    Nature / Wildlife Tour
    Nature & Wildlife Tours
    4.7
    Duration: 8 hours
    Dolphin / Whale Watching
    Dolphin & Whale Watching
    4.8
    Duration: 4 hours

    Side trips from Cairns

    ©
    World heritage site
    Scuba & Snorkeling
    Port Douglas
    4.8
    Duration: 4 hours
    ©
    Safari
    Safaris
    Port Douglas
    4.9
    Duration: 4 hours
    Hartley's Crocodile Adventures ©
    Wildlife Area
    Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
    Wangetti
    4.7
    Duration: 4 hours
    Four Mile Beach ©
    Beach
    Four Mile Beach
    Port Douglas
    4.4
    Duration: 4 hours

    Tours in Cairns

    ©
    Helicopter Tour
    Helicopter Tours
    4.3
    Duration: 4h 30 min
    ©
    Canyoning / Rapelling Tour
    Canyoning & Rappelling Tours
    5.0
    Duration: 4 hours
    ©
    Off-Road Tour
    Off-Road Tours
    4.8
    Duration: 2 hours
    ©
    Boat Tour
    Boat Tours & Water Sports
    4.1
    Duration: 2 hours

    Hidden gems in Cairns

    Muddy's Playground ©
    Playground
    Muddy's Playground
    4.5
    Duration: 2 hours
    Cairns Aquarium ©
    Aquarium
    Cairns Aquarium
    4.3
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Billy Tea Safaris ©
    Safari
    Billy Tea Safaris
    4.4
    Duration: 2 hours
    ©
    Shark Diving
    Shark Diving
    4.5
    Duration: 4 hours

    Shopping in Cairns

    Rusty's Market ©
    Flea Market
    Rusty's Market
    4.3
    Duration: 2 hours
    Australian Leather Company ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Australian Leather Company
    4.6
    Duration: 30 minutes
    Luminous Lights ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Luminous Lights
    4.3
    Duration: 2 hours
    Cairns Central Shopping Centre ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Cairns Central Shopping Centre
    3.8
    Duration: 1h 30 min

    Wildlife in Cairns

    Atherton Tablelands ©
    Wildlife Area
    Atherton Tablelands
    4.7
    Duration: 2 hours
    ©
    Fishing Charter / Tour
    Fishing Charters & Tours
    3.9
    Duration: 4 hours
    Green Arrow Walk
    Wildlife Area
    Green Arrow Walk
    4.6
    Duration: 4 hours

    Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

    Places to visit with Cairns

    Port DouglasTrip planner BEST FOR: Scuba / Snorkeling, Water Sport, Safari Fraser IslandTrip planner BEST FOR: World heritage site, Water Body, Safari BrisbaneTrip planner BEST FOR: Park, Wildlife Area, Garden NoosaTrip planner BEST FOR: National Park, Beach, Surfing / Windsurfing / Kitesurfing Airlie BeachTrip planner BEST FOR: Scuba / Snorkeling, Waterskiing / Jetskiiing, Beach

    Visit a single location or make it a multi-destination trip.

    Recently planned trips to Cairns

    5 days in Great Barrier Reef BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Cairns 5 days in Great Barrier Reef BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Cairns 6 days in Australia BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Cairns Port Douglas Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park 5 days in Cairns BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Cairns 5 days in Cairns BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Scuba & Snorkeling Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas Safaris 22 days in Queensland BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Brisbane Noosa Fraser Island
    Tourism Australia

    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.