Things to do in Cairns
There’s plenty to do in Far North Queensland’s holiday capital – both on and off the reef.
At the intersection of dense rainforest and the dazzling Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is the culmination of everything Tropical North Queensland has to offer. The city exudes natural beauty, its pristine beaches teeming with unique animal and plant life. As well as a launching point for the world’s most famous reef, Cairns is an exciting yet laid back city with adventure around every corner.
Some of Cairns’ most interesting sights revolve around peeling back the mystery of North Queensland’s fascinating wildlife, letting you come face-to-face with the region’s precious ecosystems. Alongside the stunning beauty of the natural surroundings, Cairns is quickly establishing itself as an arts hub, with plenty of places to take in the work of local creatives.
The city’s blossoming night-life and dining scene maintains a relaxed beachside energy, embracing fresh, locally-caught seafood and the joy of a cold beer at the end of a hot day.
Reef Magic
Launched in 2022, the Reef Magic Pontoon is the latest effort to bring comfort and style to the reef. The 1003 sqm structure floats in a secluded spot to allow visitors to lounge and relax away from the crowds. Swim and snorkel among tropical fish or learn how to dive. For a more novel way to explore underwater give helmet diving a go, which lets you see the vibrant sea life through a glass dome. For those keen on staying dry, Reef Magic also offers glass bottom boats, semi submarines, and an underwater observatory, where you can watch fish feeding displays throughout the day. Lounge on daybeds and make the most of the pontoon’s bar and buffet lunch. Powered by solar and wind energy, the pontoon focuses on sustainability and minimal environmental impact and carries Ecotourism Australia’s highest accreditation.
Cairns Aquarium
If you’re going to dive or snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns Aquarium gives a taste of what’s to come. If you’re sticking to dry land, it provides a vicarious deep-sea experience. The impressive aquarium is the vision of Daniel Leipnik and Andrew Preston, former Melburnians who were holidaying in Cairns when they realised many visitors never make it out to the reef. They moved north and in 2017 opened their ambitious project. The Deep Reef exhibit replicates the ecosystem of a reef drop-off and is based on an actual dive site. It’s the first of its kind in Australia and one of only three in the world. The 1.6 million-litre oceanarium has sharks and other larger predators, plus there are meticulous recreations of 10 North Queensland ecosystems. Book a behind-the-scenes tour of the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.
Great Barrier Reef
Contrary to what you may have heard, the Great Barrier Reef is not dead. The world heritage listed treasure is very much alive, despite the best efforts of rising sea temperatures, cyclones and crown-of-thorns starfish. That’s not to deny the reef faces enormous challenges but the best things visitors can do is see it for themselves. Every tour contributes to its monitoring and conservation via a “reef tax”. As the industry expands to welcome more visitors, there are plenty of options for ways to see the reef. It’s a question of which one is right for you. The Tropical North QLD tourism website is an excellent resource to point you in the right direction and for bookings.
Botanic Gardens
“It’s so green” is the refrain often heard by visitors from the southern states marvelling at the lushness of Cairns and its environs. For next-level greenery visit the expansive Cairns Botanic Gardens, a shady tropical oasis on the city outskirts. The showcase garden in the parklands is named after Hugo Flecker, a radiologist who moved to Cairns in 1932 and, fuelled by his passion for botany and zoology, established a naturalist club. The garden features weird and wonderful plants and giant trees from all over Southeast Asia, South America, Africa and Tropical North Queensland. There are multiple other zones to explore, including a bamboo collection and rainforest boardwalk. Bring a picnic or dine in one of the cafes onsite. Open daily, free entry.
Prawn Star & Ochre
Its name is a bit of a facepalm pun, but Prawn Star is what it says on the label. What started as a single trawler moored in the Cairns Marina about seven years ago is now four boats with on-deck dining and a simple menu: platters of seafood featuring oysters, bugs, salmon sashimi and prawns, with wine, beer and cider in plastic cups. No chips, no salad – if it lacks in fancy, Prawn Star more than makes up for it in fresh. For something more upmarket but just as adventurous, take a short stroll along the waterfront to Ochre. It has plenty of local ingredients on the menu, from wattle seed, finger lime and Davidson plum to kangaroo, bugs from the Gulf and even green ants.
Rusty’s Markets
Love the buzz of a bustling market? Head to Rusty’s Markets to browse stalls selling every imaginable tropical fruit and Asian vegetable. Cassava, soursop, mangosteen, taro, dragonfruit and longan are piled high among more mainstream produce in every colour of the rainbow. Grab a sugarcane juice, mixed with pineapple and ginger, a delicate tart from the French Patisserie, freshly grilled German bratwurst or watch and wait as the lovely ladies on the Thai street food stall make fresh green papaya salad from scratch, pounding chilli, garlic, lime juice, palm sugar and fish sauce with a giant mortar and pestle. Open Friday-Sunday.
Art Galleries
The local art scene is thriving. Cairns Art Gallery is renowned as one of the country’s leading galleries for its role in celebrating the art and culture of North Queensland. The gallery, housed in a 1930s heritage building, is also set to host work from legendary US artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, along with renowned Australian artist Patricia Piccinini in 2023. Nearby is the Bulmba-ja (meaning house or place in Yidinji and Yirrganydji languages) arts centre, which showcases art and theatre from local creatives, with an emphasis on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytelling. The Courthouse, one of several handsome historic buildings in the city, has been turned into a gallery space, with rotating exhibitions. Adjoining the botanic gardens is the quirky Tanks Arts Centre, comprising three World War II fuel tanks converted into performance and gallery spaces. All are free entry.
Mandingalbay
A 10-minute boat ride from Cairns across Trinity Inlet brings you to the land of the Yidinji people and a tour that gives visitors a glimpse of the culture of the original inhabitants. Now known as Grey Peaks National Park, it is an Indigenous Protected Area, largely untouched by logging thanks to its steep terrain. In 2010, the Djunbunji Land and Sea Program was started, training and deploying Indigenous rangers to manage this critical southern cassowary habitat. After a Welcome to Country, Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours takes guests on a walk through the sclerophyll forest, learning about numerous plants and trees. Some are food, some medicine, all are signposted and enthusiastically explained by our excellent ranger guide. From there, guests can enjoy an unforgettable meal under the stars with the Deadly Dinner, a four-course outdoor dining event that emphasises native ingredients.
Hemingway’s
Proudly flying the flag for Tropical North Queensland is local success story Hemingway’s Brewery. After starting up in Port Douglas, Hemingway’s was quickly embraced by locals and expanded to its picturesque spot on Cairns Wharf. It has made a mission to give back to the region, donating 50 per cent of the profits of every can of the award-winning 7th Heaven Tropical Ale to marine care organisation Great Barrier Reef Legacy. Sample the brew in question or try one of the other seven beers to have snagged awards at the 2021 Australian International Beer Awards, five of which were gold medallists.
For those whose thirsts need further quenching, Coral Sea Brewing’s taproom is a five-minute walk away. Perfectly crafted to suit drinking in a tropical climate, Coral Sea has been serving up refreshing cold ones from its laid-back beachside since 2016.
Tamarind
Tamarind has been a fixture of the Cairns dining scene for about 15 years, with good reason. Located on the ground floor of the Reef Casino, it’s a sophisticated space with attentive staff, comfortable seating and smart muted lighting (you can actually see what is on your plate). The restaurant touts its chefs
as arbiters of “freestyle cuisine”, drawing on the ingredients and cooking techniques of many cultures but with an Asian bent. The menu changes regularly but permanent fixtures, due to popular demand, are the slow-braised duck Penang curry and the crispy whole baby barramundi with chilli, garlic and tamarind sauce.
The Esplanade
The birdlife along the Esplanade is legendary. Pelicans, egrets, storks, herons, royal spoonbills and oyster catchers are among the resident waders putting on a show on the mudflats at low tide, while eastern curlews and godwits rest here during their respective migrations. There’s also the famous Cairns Esplanade saltwater pool, free to swim in and also free of crocs and stingers. Look out for the shining woven fish sculpture by local Torres Strait Islander artist Brian Robinson, just one of the stunning public art pieces in the precinct. Then, stay for a meal at the Esplanade’s pedestrian-friendly dining precinct, which has emerged from a recent makeover bursting with exciting places to satisfy your appetite.
Wolf Lane Distillery
Hidden down a red brick laneway in an old horse stables dating back to the early 1900s are two of Cairns’ most exciting haunts. Innovative gin distillery Wolf Lane, which prides itself on being one of Australia’s most awarded boutique gin makers, operates its vibrant centre at the heart of Cairns. Building on the tropical flavours of North Queensland, Wolf Lane incorporates ingredients such as the native Davidson plum, macadamia and mango into their drinks. Their bar and cellar door is the ideal spot to try gin tasting or take a masterclass in cocktail making and gin pairing. Then, head next door to their less gin-focused outpost, the intimate, moody cocktail bar Three Wolves. Boasting an extensive range of bespoke cocktails, Three Wolves adds elegance and sophistication to Cairns’ tropical DNA.
Crystal Cascades
The beauty of Cairns is that if you tire of its stunning beaches, you can find a freshwater oasis only 20 minutes from the CBD. Tucked away between rainforest and granite boulders is Crystal Cascades, a series of swimming holes leading to a secluded waterfall. Fed by mountain streams, the water stays cool throughout the year to provide respite from the harsh North Queensland summer. The falls are only a short 1.5 kilometre paved walk from the barbecue area, but you’ll feel like you’re entering another world.
Just a 15 minute walk from Crystal Cascades is another spectacular, but more hidden spot, Fairy Falls. Wedged in the cosy crevice between two boulders, the tall, narrow falls are the perfect place for a quiet swim.
Quick trips from Cairns
For those looking to escape the crowds, Cairns is the perfect jumping off point for day trips. Take the 45-minute ferry out to Fitzroy Island, the secluded rainforest island home to unspoilt national parks. Explore the remnants of the island’s history as a WWII lookout, dive and snorkel in the reef surrounding the island, or take a glass bottom boat tour.
Take a quick drive up to Kuranda for a closer look at the rainforest. The Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through World Heritage-listed national parks, passing by waterfalls and the majestic Barron Gorge. The town of Kuranda is also home to the largest butterfly aviary in the southern hemisphere, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Walk through rainforest gardens as more than 1500 colourful tropical butterflies fly around and land on you.
Best beds
The Crystalbrook Collection of hotels offer Cairns’ most exciting stays. “Responsible luxury” is nominated as Crystalbrook’s defining spirit, and it’s well borne out at the five-star Flynn. The beds are princess-comfy and rain showers generous with in-house branded amenities provided in large pump bottles. Crystalbrook calculates it has avoided sending 2.6 million single-use plastic amenity bottles to landfill since its first hotel opened in 2018, and almost 900,000 water bottles (it offers cartoned water instead). Keycards are made of recycled wood, and hangers recycled cardboard. For all that, the vibe is relaxed fun rather than earnest greenie. Flynn’s balcony harbour-view rooms offer superb vistas of the esplanade and the Coral Sea – the perfect perch for people and birdwatching.
Penny Hunter and Jane Nicholls were guests of Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Tourism Australia.