Cairns: the tropical north of Australia

For many travellers, Cairns is the starting or finishing point of a road trip along Australia's east coast. This tropical city in northern Queensland is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the world's oldest rainforest. It's precisely this combination of ocean, rainforest and waterfalls that makes Cairns one of Australia's most diverse destinations.

Don't expect a major city like Sydney or Melbourne. Cairns is compact, relaxed and completely geared towards travellers. The centre is pleasant, everything is within walking distance and most tours depart directly from the harbour.

What makes Cairns special?

Cairns is one of the few places in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. This means you can snorkel among colourful corals in the morning and walk through a rainforest that's more than 180 million years old in the afternoon.

Additionally, Cairns is the ideal base for stunning waterfalls, tropical beaches and scenic drives such as the Captain Cook Highway.

The highlights of Cairns

Great Barrier Reef

A visit to the Great Barrier Reef really shouldn't be missed. From Cairns, dozens of excursions depart daily where you can snorkel, dive or admire the reef from the air.

Short on time? Then choose a day tour. If you want to do multiple dives, multi-day liveaboards are also available.

View 'Visiting the Great Barrier Reef during your road trip through Australia'

Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation

North of Cairns lies the world-famous Daintree Rainforest, the oldest tropical rainforest in the world.

Take a walk through the rainforest, spot a cassowary, take a boat cruise on the Daintree River looking for crocodiles, and then visit Cape Tribulation, the place where the rainforest literally meets the Great Barrier Reef.

View 'Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest in the world'

Atherton Tablelands

About an hour and a half's drive from Cairns lie the Atherton Tablelands, a green highland plateau full of waterfalls, crater lakes, rainforests and charming villages. The area sits higher than the coast, which means it's often a few degrees cooler here than in Cairns. That makes it a lovely destination to escape the tropical heat for a day or two.

What makes the Atherton Tablelands so special is the enormous variety. Within a single day you can swim beneath a waterfall, walk through ancient rainforest, visit a volcanic crater lake and enjoy local coffee plantations, fruit stalls and small villages along the way. It's a region where you easily stay much longer than planned.

Cairns Esplanade

Although Cairns doesn't have a proper city beach, the Esplanade Lagoon is the place to cool off on a hot day. This free outdoor swimming pool is right in the centre and is popular with both locals and travellers. And perhaps the biggest advantage: here you don't need to worry about crocodiles or jellyfish.

Along the Esplanade you'll find a lovely boulevard with walking and cycling paths, public barbecue areas, playgrounds and plenty of restaurants and cafés overlooking the ocean. Fancy a good cup of coffee or a hearty breakfast? Then Muddy's Café and Flynn's Italian by Crystalbrook come highly recommended.

For an atmospheric dinner overlooking the marina, head to Salt House, whilst lovers of fresh fish and seafood can't miss Prawn Star. These distinctive restaurants are housed in old prawn trawlers in the harbour and rank among Cairns' most popular dining spots.

Top 3 activities in Cairns

1. Snorkelling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef

The most popular activity in Cairns. Day trips cost on average AUD $220 to $350, depending on the boat and the number of snorkelling or diving sites.

View 'Visiting the Great Barrier Reef during your road trip through Australia'

2. Scenic Flight

From Cairns you can take a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef, Green Island and the famous Heart Reef.

Although this is one of the pricier activities, the views are among the most beautiful in Australia.

View 'Visiting the Great Barrier Reef during your road trip through Australia'

3. White Water Rafting on the Barron River

For those looking for a bit more adventure during a visit to Cairns, white water rafting on the Barron River is a fantastic activity. The river flows through the tropical landscape of Barron Gorge National Park and is located a short distance from Cairns.

Most tours last half a day, during which you'll spend about two hours actually on the water. Under the guidance of an experienced guide, you'll navigate grade 2 and 3 rapids. This makes the trip exciting enough for a good dose of adrenaline, but also suitable for beginners without rafting experience. Before departure, you'll receive a safety briefing and learn the essential paddling techniques.

My recommendations: Foaming Fury, Raging Thunder Adventures and Cairns Adventure Group.

Some operators charge a river levy separately, while others include it in the tour price. Check this carefully when booking. Action photos and hiring suitable footwear may also incur additional costs.

The minimum age is twelve years with most operators. You don't need to be an experienced swimmer or rafter, but reasonable fitness and confidence in the water are important.

White water rafting on the Barron River is particularly a fun change of pace if you're spending several days in Cairns. After snorkelling, rainforests and waterfalls, you'll experience tropical North Australia in a completely different and active way.

Overnight Camping in Cairns with a Campervan

One of the best Campervan sites is BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut.

This campground is located about ten minutes' drive from the centre and features excellent facilities, including multiple swimming pools, a water park, barbecue areas and spacious Campervan sites.

If you're planning to stay in Cairns for several days, this is an ideal base. Are you planning to stay overnight around Cairns in places like Port Douglas or The Daintree Rainforest? Then there are plenty of lovely camping options available here.

See '4 weeks Australia: from Sydney to Cairns' for multiple recommendations around Cairns

Best time to visit Cairns

The best time to visit Cairns is from May through to October.

During these months, it's the dry season. You can count on pleasant temperatures, little rain and lower humidity. The chances of clear water at the Great Barrier Reef are also highest.

From November to April is the wet season. It's warmer, more humid and heavy tropical showers can occur. Additionally, jellyfish are present during this period, which means swimming is not recommended on some beaches. However, it's still possible to travel to Cairns during this time.

How much time do you need in Cairns?

For Cairns I would plan at least four nights. This gives you enough time to spend a day at the Great Barrier Reef, take a day trip to the Daintree Rainforest and explore the Atherton Tablelands. You don't necessarily have to stay in Cairns itself during this period. Mix up your overnight stays with campsites not just in Cairns, but also in The Daintree Rainforest or Port Douglas.