Cairns Travel Guide

Things to do in Cairns

Any time of year is a good time to visit Cairns due to its tropical climate and, with a multitude of outdoor activities and natural attractions on its doorstep, it''s a nature lover''s dream come true.

Meet some of Australia''s indigenous animals such as the crocodile, red panda or koala at Wildlife Zone or the Cairns Tropical Zoo, ride the gondolas above a canopy of the rainforest over magnificent waterfalls and gorges, to the village of Kuranda on the Skyrail, one of Cairns'' most popular attractions, or pick out some stunning opal jewellery at Quilpie Opals.

Visitors keen on venturing out of the city should head straight for the coast where the Great Barrier Reef awaits avid snorkelers and divers, while the verdant Wet Tropics of Queensland, the oldest tropical rainforest still surviving on Earth are best explored on horseback or from the treetops and the nearby Cape Tribulation is an outdoor enthusiasts paradise, with activities like kayaking, snorkelling, jungle surfing and river cruising on offer. The Whitsunday Islands, of which 70 percent has been declared a national or marine park, boasts the resort village of Airlie Beach and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the picturesque surroundings.