Cairns has some of the best bushwalking tracks in Australia, with everything from lush rainforest to sparse outback wilderness.

Although you can easily grab a map of the World-Heritage National Parks in the Cairns region, there are a number of companies that organise excellent walks and hikes through pristine landscape.

Many of these tours are combined with 4WD tours to outlying areas to places that are well off the beaten track.

Accompanied by local guides, these walking tours are worth the investment for a fantastic understanding of the environment and often the history of the people who have lived there.

Specialist Cairns tours include Aboriginal family groups who can explain the “dreaming” stories of a particular area as well as those designed for bird-watchers and other enthusiasts.

A number of tours take place at night where visitors can see the local Cairns wildlife in their natural habitat.

There are a number of short and easily reached walking tracks close to the city, like Mt Whitfield’s Red Arrow or Blue Arrow tracks in Edge Hill.

They are located within walking distance from Cairns Botanical Gardens and are easily accessed by public transport.

Just walking around the hill village of Kuranda at the top of the Kuranda Range north of Cairns will get your blood pumping, as will the gentle walks around the Atherton Tableland’s national parks.

But if you are a mad keen bushwalker, someone who wants the challenge of a 6km hike for example, then you should check out some of the great major hikes in the Cairns region like Behana Falls, Mowbray to Black Mountain Road or the Misty Mountains.

Click here for more details on Cairns tourist attractions and things to do in Cairns.

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