Things to do in Australia | A Cairns Vacation with All the Australia Highlights

Posted on: August 12th, 2016 by Melissa Maxwell No Comments

How to see the best of Australia on a short vacation to Cairns

We’re continuing our blog series, Things to Do in Australia, where we outline how you can see all the major Australian Highlights on a short vacation while staying in just one or two cities. So far we’ve talked about how you can see Beaches & Aquatic Life, Wildlife, Rainforest, Outback, Food & Wine, Modern City Culture & Art and Indigenous Culture in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide.

Today we look at one of the most famous gateways to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns (pronounced “cans”). Cairns is a stylish city in Tropical North Queensland. It’s a relaxed city with great food and an laid back atmosphere. Just outside of Cairns you’ll find the only place in the world where two World Heritage Sites meet. You can dive the depths of the Great Barrier Reef or soar above the world’s oldest tropical rainforest.

Here are things you can do in Cairns to hit all the major Australian highlights.

Beaches & Aquatic Life

No visit to Cairns is complete without a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. There are many ways you can experience the Great Barrier Reef.

Go snorkeling, or go diving.

Our Instructor Raoul having a lot of fun today @greatbarrierreefqld #thisisqueensland in #australia #deepseadiversden

A photo posted by Divers Den (@deepseadiversden) on

G’Day everyone !! #deepseadiversden #greatbarrierreef #thisisqueensland

A photo posted by Fabio Bispo (@fabiozerocal) on

Fly over the Great Barrier Reef in a helicopter.

Austrália – Grande Recife de Corais A photo posted by Mochileiras de Batom (@mochileiras_de_batom) on

Stay dry in a glass bottom boat.

Fly through the water on a seabob

Go Fishing . Some of the biggest marlins in the world are caught off the coast of Cairns.

Find Nemo.

Meet turtles.

the friendliest sea turtle

A photo posted by Leah Molofsky (@lmo64) on

Swim with dolphins.

Flipper saying hello from the Great Barrier Reef! My first encounter with a wild Dolphin today, diving at Thetford Reef with @tusadive. What an amazing and unexpected experience!************************************************ Canon 5D Mk2, 35mm, ISO 250, 1/160 sec @ f8 in an Aquatica u/w housing. ************************************************ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #australiagram #ig_australia #hellobluey #exploreaustralia #exploringaustralia #aussiephotos #greatbarrierreef #dolphin #padi #thebest_capture #natureglobepix #ig_naturelovers #ig_captures #ig_today #allnatureshots #openmyworld #animals_in_world #amazing_pictures #worldbestgram #special_shots #cool_capture_ #ig_great_pics #earth_deluxe #nature_wizards #animalsaddict #animalpanet_fan #exploretnq #andrewwatsonphotography A photo posted by Andrew Watson (@andrewwatsonphoto) on

Go whale watching.

More whales today #greatbarrierreef #thisisqueensland @orpheusisland

A photo posted by Ross Penegar (@rosspenegar) on

Head to the beach. Well, there are no real beaches in the city of Cairns. There is a man-made lagoon by the shore- Cairns Esplanade.

Beautiful day at the Lagoon A photo posted by Dylan van Dijk (@dylanvandijk) on

If you’re craving some time on the beach, head just outside Cairns to get your toes in the sand.

Two hours south of Cairns you’ll find Mission Beach .

Head north towards Port Douglas to visit the famous Four Mile Beach

Closer to Cairns you’ll find Palm Cove.

Who wants to be laying in this hammock .?

A photo posted by Lisa Hill Photography (@lisahill555) on

For an island getaway, take a sail boat out to Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef.

A trip to #LowIsles is in order this wknd Photo by @vaccas #exploreTNQ A photo posted by #exploreTNQ (@tropicalnorthqueensland) on

Wildlife

Cairns and the surrounding areas provide many opportunities to see and learn about the tropical wildlife of the region.

Get up close and personal some of Australia’s most precious and beautiful birds in their rainforest habitat at Birdworld Kuranda.

Birds!!! #tenorpårejse #australia #Kuranda #fugleneelskermig #eventyr

A photo posted by Mathias Hedegaard (@danishtenor) on

Meet Kanagroos and cuddle a Koala at the Kuranda Koala Gardens

Yes we Kan! #tbt #australia #kangaroo A photo posted by Daniel Cat (@danicatbh) on

Closer to the city, visit the Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome. Located in a glass dome on top of the Reef Hotel Casino, the Cairns Wildlife Dome lets you get close to cute rainforest animals as they roam freely through their enclosures.

A photo posted by 조 영령 (@1996cm92kg) on

A post shared by Akira Hirayama (@9rama) on

Zip line through the trees.

Zip-line #zoom #cairns #qld #seeaustralia #holiday A photo posted by Laura Fazekas (@lozza261990) on

Meet a crocodile.

Or trick your friends into thinking you were almost eaten by a crocodile.

Today I almost got eaten by a crocodile! #closecall A photo posted by Ashley (@aheisner) on

Just north of Cairns, visit Hartley’s Creek for a huge, multifaceted wildlife experience at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Hartley’s Night Adventures and Zootastic Wildlife Encounters. Here you can… See a famous crocodile feeding show…

Take a selfie with a Kangaroo…

I didnt know that kangourou selfie was a thing . . . #enjoyeachday

A photo posted by Catherine Fleury (@catherinefleury) on

Touch a baby crocodile…

Cuddle a Koala…

Hold a snake…

I can’t believe these kids. #nofear #didntevenhesitate #snakesalive #blackheadedpython A photo posted by Joanna Stevens Kramer (@jstevenskramer) on

And hug a Wombat.

The wombats are real friendly up here! Tonka the wombat getting some midday pats.

A photo posted by Jackie Schapel (@jacschaps) on

Rainforest

Cairns is, hands-down, the best place in Australia to see the rainforest. Just north of Cairns you’ll find Kuranda, a beautiful village hidden in the tropical rainforest. Here you can experience the rainforest and it’s culture. The best part is the journey to the village. You get to ride on the Skyrail through the rainforest!

On the way, stop at 2 rainforest stations…

Red Peak…

And Barron Falls.

In Kuranda, check out the Village Centre, markets, Butterfly Sanctuary and more.

#kuranda #village #beautiful #vacay #love #fun

A photo posted by Rachelle ™ ♔ (@rach_elle89xo) on

Then, head back to Cairns on a scenic railway ride.

not an ordinary train ride A photo posted by Anne Hartung (@anne_lieschen) on

Further north, past Port Douglas, you’ll find the oldest rainforest in the world, Daintree. There are many ways you can explore Daintree.

Take a guided walk through the jungle.

Chippy with the rope assist climbing Mt Sorrow in the Upper Daintree.

A photo posted by (@lewis.mcpherson) on

Stand in the only spot in the world where two World Heritage Sites meet at Cape Tribulation

& A photo posted by natalie rull (@natalierull) on

Go Jungle Surfing.

Cruise through the forest on the river.

Ride a horse.

Just explore the beauty!

Inside a strangular fig tree, #rainforestmagic by @arianacottam A photo posted by Destination Daintree (@destinationdaintree) on

Outback

Visit the green jungle one day and head out to the red Outback the next on a day trip to Chillagoe- Mungana Caves Park.

En na een dagje rondrijden in de hitte is een bezoekje aan wat grotten een leuke afkoeling.

A photo posted by Pjoter (@pfvermeulen) on

Food & Wine

Cairns has a fix for every foodie and lover of wine. They also have an established coffee shop scene that not only serves up amazing coffee, but also yummy small plates. Head to Grafton Street and Spence Street for a variety of trendy spots.

For a memorable evening meal, head to The Esplanade. You’ll find a fine selection of eateries along the waterfront. The seafood is especially delicious.

A photo posted by ASG (@alex_chayce) on

For an amazing steak, head to Waterbar & Grill.

DAY NINETEEN AND TWENTY- 14/03-15/03 Renegade Diet. “If a meal has no meat on it, it’s a snack” FOOD- 0430 black coffee 0630 black coffee 1100 Nuzest shake 1400 4 eggs, shaved ham, 15 cashews, 1 cup kale 1600 3 eggs, shaved ham, 1 cup kale 1900 1 x bowl of nacho mince, sour cream, guacamole 2000 1 x Paleo brownie and coconut yoghurt TRAINING- CrossFit Open Workout 14.3 NOTE- Pre Renegade diet I had a full medical with a doctor. Long story short, regardless of my extremely high fat diet I.e all the fat on my meat, lots of ghee, oils, nuts etc both LDL and HDL cholesterol readings were extremely low (doctor says, you must have a really low fat diet?) FML! However my Urea percentage was pinging high (Urea= meat intake) may have something to do with the Ribs addiction #waterbar #bbq #ribs #meat #urea #ldl #hdl #fat #coconut #oil #renegadediet #crossfitopen #14.3 #food #protein A photo posted by JamieMilneTraining (@jamiemilnetraining) on

For great seafood and a lovely view, head to Salt House.

Sun downers

A photo posted by Mark Griffiths (@markgriffiths2016) on

Modern City Culture & Art

Cairns is a laidback city with a lively nightlife. It has a large creative scene and several festivals that celebrate the culture of the city. See Cairn’s contemporary art at KickArts. The museum also host workshops where you can make your own art.

At the Cairns Regional Gallery see the works of art by National and International artists, with a strong focus on local and indigenous works.

Visit The Esplanade for public art.

Public art with presence:- #cairns #northqueensland #cairnswaterfront #philippogson A photo posted by Philip Pogson (@philippogson) on

Indigenous Culture

Cairns is a wonderful place to learn about Australia’s Indigenous Culture. The local Aboriginal people have lived on the land continuously for over 40,000 years. The area is steeped in storytelling, art and eye-opening cultural experiences.

Take an Indigenous tour of Daintree. Take a walkabout learn about bush foods and the uses for native plants. Catch your own mud crab for lunch!

Head to Tjapukai to get a deeper understanding of Australia’s diverse Aboriginal heritage. Visit by Day.

Spent a bit of time with this fella today. He’s cool as A photo posted by Ieuan (@welshboy69) on

Or by Night.

Yes I did help create this fire #imaworimiwoman #tjapukaibynight

A photo posted by tanikaleepearce (@tanikaleepearce) on

A trip to Cairns and Tropical North Queensland should defiantly be on your bucket list. Are you ready for your Australian Adventure? Let us help you plane a trip of a lifetime!

Get-A-Trip-Quote or Phone us Toll Free on 1-888-359-2877 (CT USA, M-F 8.30am – 5pm).

Also See:

Things to do in Australia | A Sydney Vacation with All the Australian Highlights

Things to do in Australia | A Melbourne Vacation with All the Australian Highlights

Things to do in Australia | An Adelaide Vacation with All The Australian Highlights

Coming Soon:

Things to do in Australia | A Brisbane Vacation with All the Australian Highlights

Things to do in Australia | A Perth Vacation with All the Australian Highlights.