Cairns and the Northern Beaches
Sightseeing
Entry to the Lagoon is free. Toilet and shower facilities are located in the amenities block alongside the Lagoon.
Lifeguards are on duty while the Lagoon is open. Wheelchair access to the Lagoon is available.
281 locals recommend
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
54 EsplanadeEntry to the Lagoon is free. Toilet and shower facilities are located in the amenities block alongside the Lagoon.
Lifeguards are on duty while the Lagoon is open. Wheelchair access to the Lagoon is available.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system. Day trips depart daily from the Wharf in Cairns.
242 locals recommend
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system. Day trips depart daily from the Wharf in Cairns.
Entertainment & Activities
Original Authentic Australian Indigenous Cultural Experience.
Experience traditional dance, art and interactive demonstrations or even a dinner show!
51 locals recommend
Boomerang Restaurant, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
4 Skyrail DriveOriginal Authentic Australian Indigenous Cultural Experience.
Experience traditional dance, art and interactive demonstrations or even a dinner show!
Sugarworld is an Australian council-owned community water park, located in Edmonton, Queensland. Its main attractions were water slides, pools, and a canteen area.
63 locals recommend
Sugarworld Waterpark
Hambledon DriveSugarworld is an Australian council-owned community water park, located in Edmonton, Queensland. Its main attractions were water slides, pools, and a canteen area.
The only aquarium in the world dedicated exclusively to the habitats and species of tropical North Queensland.
152 locals recommend
Cairns Aquarium
5 Florence StThe only aquarium in the world dedicated exclusively to the habitats and species of tropical North Queensland.
Located 30 minutes North of Cairns, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is simply the best place to see crocodiles and local wildlife in Tropical North Queensland. Enjoy the thrilling crocodile attack and feeding shows.
197 locals recommend
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
Captain Cook HighwayLocated 30 minutes North of Cairns, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is simply the best place to see crocodiles and local wildlife in Tropical North Queensland. Enjoy the thrilling crocodile attack and feeding shows.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is the name for the railway line that runs from the coastal city of Cairns, Queensland, Australia, over the Great Dividing Range to the town of Kuranda.
19 locals recommend
Kuranda Scenic Railway Freshwater Station
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is the name for the railway line that runs from the coastal city of Cairns, Queensland, Australia, over the Great Dividing Range to the town of Kuranda.
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is a 7.5 km scenic cableway running above the Barron Gorge National Park, in the Wet Tropics of Queensland’s World Heritage Area. North of Cairns, it has won more than 25 awards.
284 locals recommend
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
6 Skyrail DrSkyrail Rainforest Cableway is a 7.5 km scenic cableway running above the Barron Gorge National Park, in the Wet Tropics of Queensland’s World Heritage Area. North of Cairns, it has won more than 25 awards.
Day trip
Picturesque village in the rainforest, 35 min from Cairns.
Visit the Heritage markets, rainforest walks, Barron falls and wildlife experiences.
103 locals recommend
Kuranda
Picturesque village in the rainforest, 35 min from Cairns.
Visit the Heritage markets, rainforest walks, Barron falls and wildlife experiences.
Allow a full day to explore the Waterfall circuit, a 17km driving loop. The region's landscape's mix of rainforest, wetlands and savanna is home to local wildlife.
30 locals recommend
Tablelands Regional
Allow a full day to explore the Waterfall circuit, a 17km driving loop. The region's landscape's mix of rainforest, wetlands and savanna is home to local wildlife.
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage oldest rainforest in the world! You can self drive or contact us to book a guided and interpreted tour. (2hrs north of Cairns).
257 locals recommend
Daintree Rainforest
2333 Cape Tribulation RdExplore the UNESCO World Heritage oldest rainforest in the world! You can self drive or contact us to book a guided and interpreted tour. (2hrs north of Cairns).
Port Douglas is a town on the Coral Sea in the tropical far north of Queensland, Australia. It's known for its beach resorts and as a base for visits to both the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest reef system, and Daintree National Park. Macrossan Street is lined with boutique shops and restaurants. Curving south is popular Four Mile Beach.
239 locals recommend
Port Douglas
Port Douglas is a town on the Coral Sea in the tropical far north of Queensland, Australia. It's known for its beach resorts and as a base for visits to both the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest reef system, and Daintree National Park. Macrossan Street is lined with boutique shops and restaurants. Curving south is popular Four Mile Beach.
Fitzroy Island is a tropical paradise of rainforest and coral beaches within the calm sheltered waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The walking tracks through the rainforest, up to the summit and to the lighthouse offer a fabulous view over the Great Barrier Reef. Just 45 minutes by boat, Fitzroy Island offers the opportunity to discover the magic and diversity of the Great Barrier Reef from land and sea, making it the perfect accessible base for snorkeling, diving and exploring the reef and rainforest.
149 locals recommend
Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island is a tropical paradise of rainforest and coral beaches within the calm sheltered waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The walking tracks through the rainforest, up to the summit and to the lighthouse offer a fabulous view over the Great Barrier Reef. Just 45 minutes by boat, Fitzroy Island offers the opportunity to discover the magic and diversity of the Great Barrier Reef from land and sea, making it the perfect accessible base for snorkeling, diving and exploring the reef and rainforest.
Food scene
Bistro classics like steak tartare and duck confit served in a circular, light-filled dining room in Cairns.
17 locals recommend
C'est Bon Cairns
20 Lake StBistro classics like steak tartare and duck confit served in a circular, light-filled dining room in Cairns.
Italian food and cocktails in a relaxed, high-ceilinged room opening onto a deck with beach views in Trinity Beach.
76 locals recommend
L'Unico Trattoria Italiano
75 Vasey EsplanadeItalian food and cocktails in a relaxed, high-ceilinged room opening onto a deck with beach views in Trinity Beach.
Refined Australian dishes, from breakfast to cocktails, in a lush beachfront setting.
86 locals recommend
Nu Nu Restaurant
1 Veivers RdRefined Australian dishes, from breakfast to cocktails, in a lush beachfront setting.
Modern, wood-panelled restaurant setting with a relaxed vibe for Asian fusion fine dining and wine in Cairns.
22 locals recommend
Tamarind Restaurant
6-8 Wharf StModern, wood-panelled restaurant setting with a relaxed vibe for Asian fusion fine dining and wine in Cairns.
Open-plan restaurant with alfresco seating, for breakfast, cocktails and international dining in Palm Cove.
103 locals recommend
OMG Cafe Palm Cove
Open-plan restaurant with alfresco seating, for breakfast, cocktails and international dining in Palm Cove.
Chic seafront Modern Australian menu with seafood and grill and a lantern-lit bar. Great coktails and live music in Cairns.
239 locals recommend
Salt House
2 Pier Point RdChic seafront Modern Australian menu with seafood and grill and a lantern-lit bar. Great coktails and live music in Cairns.
Adventurous menus featuring native game, herbs and seafood, served in a contemporary dining room with sea views, in Cairns.
38 locals recommend
Ochre Restaurant
1 Marlin ParadeAdventurous menus featuring native game, herbs and seafood, served in a contemporary dining room with sea views, in Cairns.
Refined breakfast lunch and dinner 5 minutes walk from the Cairns Botanical Garden and the Tanks Arts theatre.
110 locals recommend
NOA Eat Drink Share
1 Pyne StRefined breakfast lunch and dinner 5 minutes walk from the Cairns Botanical Garden and the Tanks Arts theatre.
The Chambers is an iconic venue housing one of Cairns' best cafe, restaurant and bars in the heart of Cairns city.
The Chambers Cafe, Restaurant & Bar
21 Spence StThe Chambers is an iconic venue housing one of Cairns' best cafe, restaurant and bars in the heart of Cairns city.
Coffee
Chezest Cafe
135 Grafton StJapanese French fusion cafe Cairns city.
Blackbird Laneway
62 Grafton StLocal's favourite espresso bar in Cairns City.
Parks and Nature
The Cairns Botanic Gardens is a tropical paradise, renowned as one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in Australia. Situated in Edge Hill.
235 locals recommend
Cairns Botanic Gardens
78-96 Collins AveThe Cairns Botanic Gardens is a tropical paradise, renowned as one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in Australia. Situated in Edge Hill.
Cascade waterfall on Freshwater Creek. A popular spot for a swim on a hot summer day.
184 locals recommend
Crystal Cascades
Redlynch Intake RoadCascade waterfall on Freshwater Creek. A popular spot for a swim on a hot summer day.
Markets and Shopping
Vibrant enclosed marketplace open weekends since 1975 for produce, apparel, gifts & flowers.
225 locals recommend
Rusty's Market
89 Grafton StVibrant enclosed marketplace open weekends since 1975 for produce, apparel, gifts & flowers.
Bustling indoor market with many vendors, open evenings for shopping & casual dining.
10 locals recommend
Night Markets
71 EsplanadeBustling indoor market with many vendors, open evenings for shopping & casual dining.
Home to Tropical North Queensland's most hip and eclectic range of fashion, vintage and food providores.
Oceana Walk Arcade
62 Grafton StHome to Tropical North Queensland's most hip and eclectic range of fashion, vintage and food providores.
Vibrant shopping mall offering brand-name & big-box retail stores, casual eateries & a supermarket.
56 locals recommend
DFO Cairns
274 Mulgrave RoadVibrant shopping mall offering brand-name & big-box retail stores, casual eateries & a supermarket.
Cairns Central Shopping Centre
21 McLeod StCairns' biggest shopping centre.
Retail chain offering a selection of duty-free goods such as handbags, fragrances & more.
6 locals recommend
T Galleria by DFS, Cairns
14-16 Abbott StRetail chain offering a selection of duty-free goods such as handbags, fragrances & more.