Cairns is a hub for a plethora of activities to the north, south and west of the city. There are a huge number of companies organising tours to the Great Barrier Reef … everything from learn to dive courses, sailing trips, cruises that go for days, underwater observatories, pontoons anchored on the reef and island stays are available. Tour companies offer just about every type of vehicle for visitors to use to get into the great outdoors – and the glories of the Cairns region’s heritage-listed national parks offer days of walking, hiking and climbing pleasure. Check out some of the best activities in the region.There are tours designed for families, visitors on short stays, adventurous types and people visiting for weeks or months at a time.
The Great Barrier Reef runs for more than 2,300km along the northeast coast of Queensland and is one of the ‘must visit’ spots of the Cairns Region
With everything from bungy-jumping and white-water rafting to hot air ballooning and sky-diving, the Cairns region has more than enough adventure
- Bungy Jumping
- Rafting
- Ballooning
- Horse Riding
- Flying Tours
- Skydiving
- ATV Tours
- Kayaking
- Water-Skiing
- Shooting
- Fishing
- Helicopter Tours
The Cairns region is home to some of Australia’s most spectacular National Parks including the world heritage listed Daintree
Sit back and relax on a luxurious cruise around the Great Barrier Reef or head up the river for something a little different ...
Just off the coast of Cairns are a number of spectacular islands on the Great Barrier Reef ranging from small coral cays to luxurious resorts
Meet the locals at the Cairns region’s animal attractions ... breakfast with the birds, hold a koala, pat a snake or photograph a lion
Tee off amongst rainforest and rolling greens on one of the Cairns region’s international golf courses from Cairns city to Port Douglas
Cairns is a hub for a plethora of activities. Get on the road with everything from a luxury buss tout to your own 4WD, motorcycle or self-drive car
If you can drag yourself away from the glories of the reef and rainforest in the Cairns region, head off to enjoy some great shopping
Useful information for visitors backpacking around the Cairns region with tips on hiring a van, looking for work & accommodation in the area
Maps from all over the Cairns region
Cairns City, Palm Cove, Port Douglas, Kuranda & more
Great Barrier Reef & Green Island Trips
You can’t visit the Cairns region and not visit the Great Barrier Reef! One of the main attractions of the Cairns region is its proximity to the World-Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
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Kuranda Skyrail & Scenic Train
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is unique experience for visitors to the Cairns region as they sit back and enjoy lush rainforest and stunning mountain views on the historic Kuranda Range travelling in refurbished carriages as the train winds up the mountain.
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Daintree Rainforest Tour
North and west of Cairns, the landscape becomes more rugged with world-heritage rainforest and dusty outback plains… 4WDs are sometimes the only way to get to the best bits
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Tjapukai Aboriginal Centre
The Cairns region is home to a number of indigenous groups who graciously offer visitors an insight into their culture. For visitors to Australia, one of the most fascinating aspects of the country is the tradition and culture of Aboriginal Australians.
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Port Douglas Sunday Markets
One of the most popular markets in the Cairns region are the Port Douglas Sunday Markets held in Anzac Park at the end of Macrossan St, right next to the ocean. These bustling markets are full of arts and crafts, locally made products, fruit and vegetables, clothes, jewellery and toys. Open from 8am to 1.30pm, Port Douglas’ find eateries are all within walking distance and the village comes alive on Sunday afternoons with live music in many venues.
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Bungy Jump in the Rainforest
There is only one spot to bungy-jump in Cairns and that's the AJ Hackett Bungy site at Smithfield, about 20 minutes north of Cairns. AJ Hackett is the founder of the world's most popular adventure activity company and he's often at the Cairns site when he can tear himself away from his island in Indonesia or from organising yet another crazy stunt.
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Dine at Palm Cove
North of Cairns city the prestige holiday destination of Palm Cove is renowned for its quality dining options, particularly the restaurant at Sea Temple resort, Temple of Tastes, which features contemporary Australian cuisine flavoured with tastes of the Pacific and South East Asian region.
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Atherton Tablelands Coffee, Food & Wine tour
You can’t visit the Cairns region and not visit the Great Barrier Reef! One of the main attractions of the Cairns region is its proximity to the World-Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
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White-water Rafting in Tully
Have a wet and wild adventure with whitewater rafting. Whitewater rafting is one of the most popular adventure activities in the Cairns region.
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Visit the Undara Lava Tubes
There are some beautiful natural attractions in the Cairns region that shouldn’t be missed. A fabulous combination of Mother Nature and man’s ingenuity has seen some fantastic attractions pop up in the Cairns region.
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With a spectacular backdrop of rainforest-clad mountains, Tropical North Queensland’s beaches are a picturesque destination for swimming
A fabulous combination of Mother Nature and man’s ingenuity has seen some fantastic attractions like Skyrail & Paronella Park pop up in the Cairns region
There are heaps of interesting places to visitor and sights to see in the Cairns region that tell visitors a little more about the art and culture of the area.
Cairns is a great place for a family holiday … with almost all local tours, activities and attractions able to accommodate children.
