A day out in Cairns

Cairns is in Queensland. Hopalong knows 13 things to do and 8 places to eat here. Prices are approximate adult prices in A$.

Top things to do in Cairns

Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail
A$120 · Kuranda · about 360 min
Train up through the rainforest and cable car back down.
Great Barrier Reef day cruise
A$250 · Reef Fleet Terminal · about 480 min
Snorkel or dive the outer reef. Book ahead.
Cairns Aquarium
A$50 · City · about 120 min
Reef and rainforest creatures under one roof.
Cairns Esplanade boardwalk
Free · Esplanade · about 45 min
2.5 km of waterfront path; pelicans on the mudflats. Don't swim in the sea.
Esplanade Lagoon
Free · Esplanade · about 90 min
A free saltwater pool on the waterfront.
Cairns Botanic Gardens
Free · Edge Hill · about 75 min
Tropical gardens and rainforest boardwalks.
Cairns Night Markets
Free · Esplanade · about 75 min
Souvenirs, massages and cheap eats.
Palm Cove beach
Free · Palm Cove · about 120 min
Paperbark-lined beach and village. Stinger season Nov–May.
Crystal Cascades swimming hole
Free · Crystal Cascades · about 90 min
Rainforest rock pools.
Mangrove Boardwalk
Free · Edge Hill · about 45 min
Raised boardwalk through the mangroves near the airport, good for birds.

Esplanade Lagoon (Esplanade): A free saltwater pool on the waterfront.
Cairns Botanic Gardens (Edge Hill): Tropical gardens and rainforest boardwalks.
Cairns Night Markets (Esplanade): Souvenirs, massages and cheap eats.
Palm Cove beach (Palm Cove): Paperbark-lined beach and village. Stinger season Nov–May.
Crystal Cascades swimming hole (Crystal Cascades): Rainforest rock pools.
Cairns Esplanade boardwalk (Esplanade): 2.5 km of waterfront path; pelicans on the mudflats. Don't swim in the sea.
Mangrove Boardwalk (Edge Hill): Raised boardwalk through the mangroves near the airport, good for birds.
Mount Whitfield Red Arrow walk (Edge Hill): Short, steep rainforest loop to city lookouts behind the Botanic Gardens.

Lunch on the Esplanade (Esplanade, around A$25): Cafés facing the inlet.
Dinner at Marlin Wharf (Reef Fleet Terminal, around A$60): Waterfront restaurants by the marina.
Lunch at Palm Cove (Palm Cove, around A$35): Beachfront cafés under the paperbarks.
Ochre Restaurant (Reef Fleet Terminal, around A$75): Native Australian flavours by the Marlin Marina.
Rufus (City, around A$60): A Spence Street restaurant in the city centre.
Éla (Esplanade, around A$70): A waterfront restaurant.
Mi Piace Espresso Bar (City, around A$18): A city espresso bar.
Muddy's Cafe (Esplanade, around A$25): Café next to Muddy's playground on the Esplanade.

Access information can change. Check with the venue if access is essential.

Month	Low	High	Rainy days
January	24°C	32°C	16
April	20°C	29°C	11
July	17°C	26°C	6
October	20°C	29°C	11

Approximate long-term averages, not a forecast.