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Top things to do in Cairns

Kuranda Scenic Railway Heritage Class Ticket
Parks & gardens • Cairns

Kuranda Scenic Railway Heritage Class Ticket

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(185) • 9K+ booked
AED 149
Retail: AED 150
Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Day Tour
Tours • From Cairns

Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Day Tour

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.4 / 5
(165) • 8K+ booked
From
AED 328
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway Tickets
Observation decks • Cairns

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway Tickets

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(123) • 4K+ booked
AED 286
Cairns Aquarium Ticket
Zoos & aquariums • Cairns

Cairns Aquarium Ticket

Book now for today
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(176) • 10K+ booked
AED 157
Great Barrier Reef Full Day Snorkel or Dive Tour from Cairns
Klook's choice
Cruises • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Full Day Snorkel or Dive Tour from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
Hotel pick-up
Free cancellation
4.7 / 5
(253) • 7K+ booked
From
AED 656
Great Barrier Reef Half Day and Full Day Tours
Cruises • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Half Day and Full Day Tours

Book now for tomorrow
Hotel pick-up
Free cancellation
4.5 / 5
(185) • 5K+ booked
From
AED 465
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel, Dive & Helicopter Full Day Tour
Klook's choice
Cruises • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Snorkel, Dive & Helicopter Full Day Tour

Book now for tomorrow
Hotel pick-up
Free cancellation
4.6 / 5
(191) • 4K+ booked
From
AED 1,080
Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge Day Tour from Cairns
Fall deal
Tours • From Cairns

Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge Day Tour from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.7 / 5
(65) • 1K+ booked
From
AED 444
Sale 20% off
Full-Day Tully River Rafting in Cairns
Fall deal
Water activities • Cairns

Full-Day Tully River Rafting in Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
Morning departure
7+ hrs
4.9 / 5
(25) • 900+ booked
AED 506
Sale 20% off
Great Barrier Reef Classic Scenic Flight from Cairns
Tours • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Classic Scenic Flight from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
Up to 3 hrs
Free cancellation
4.6 / 5
(36) • 1K+ booked
AED 746
Half-Day River Tubing Experience from Cairns
Fall deal
Water activities • Cairns

Half-Day River Tubing Experience from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
Morning departure
3-5 hrs
4.8 / 5
(58) • 2K+ booked
AED 179
Sale 30% off
Green Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns
Cairns

Green Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(7) • 700+ booked
From
AED 243
Fitzroy Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns
Cairns

Fitzroy Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(33) • 1K+ booked
AED 279
Cairns car rentals | Rent a car for Great Barrier Reef, Green Island, Kuranda
Fall deal
Car rentals • Cairns

Cairns car rentals | Rent a car for Great Barrier Reef, Green Island, Kuranda

Instant confirmation
Free cancellation
Hertz
6K+ booked
From
AED 277
/day
15% off
Cairns|Cairns International Airport Private Airport Transfer
Private airport transfers • Cairns

Cairns|Cairns International Airport Private Airport Transfer

Bestseller
Instant confirmation
3.9 / 5
(19) • 200+ booked
From
AED 209
Cairns Private Car Charter
Cairns

Cairns Private Car Charter

Customized itinerary
Free cancellation
100+ booked
AED 1,239

Hotels in Cairns

Shangri-La Hotel The Marina, Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Shangri-La Hotel The Marina, Cairns

Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(1.0K)
From
AED 572.07
Cairns Central Plaza Apartment Hotel
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Central Plaza Apartment Hotel

Instant confirmation
4.2 / 5
(1.0K)
From
AED 471.88
Crystalbrook Bailey
Hotels • Cairns

Crystalbrook Bailey

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
AED 557.82
Pacific Hotel Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Pacific Hotel Cairns

Instant confirmation
4.2 / 5
(1.0K)
From
AED 438.39
AED 446.95
Crystalbrook Riley
Hotels • Cairns

Crystalbrook Riley

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
AED 768
AED 775.75
Cairns Southgate Hotel
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Southgate Hotel

Instant confirmation
4.9 / 5
(9)
From
AED 362.7
AED 386.54
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

Instant confirmation
4.3 / 5
(1.0K)
From
AED 391.57
The Abbott Boutique Hotel
Hotels • Cairns

The Abbott Boutique Hotel

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
AED 431.71
AED 465.09
Cairns Queens Court
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Queens Court

Instant confirmation
3.8 / 5
(1.0K)
From
AED 241.8
Mercure Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Mercure Cairns

Instant confirmation
4.0 / 5
(106)
From
AED 395.35
Cairns Plaza Hotel
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Plaza Hotel

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
AED 544.05
AED 597.52
Hilton Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Hilton Cairns

Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(1.0K)
From
AED 502.44

Reviews of Cairns activities

Klook会員
2026-09-18 22:59:08
Fantastic 5.0
Since I was a bit nervous about swimming, I opted for the glass-bottom boat and snorkeling package! The glass-bottom boat was amazing; just looking down, I could see beautiful fish and sea turtles, which was truly breathtaking. For snorkeling, I paid an additional AUD 12 to rent a life vest! Just a short distance away, there were schools of colorful fish, and swimming among them myself was a completely different experience. (The fish themselves were actually clearer to see from the glass-bottom boat!) Coin lockers, the souvenir shop, and restaurants all accepted credit card payments!
Joy ****
2026-10-03 12:51:30
Fantastic 5.0
We saw so much in one day!Admittedly, it can feel a little rushed at times but that's the only way to fit everything in. Sheryl was an amazing tour guide! Her passion for her work, her love for the rainforest, and her respect for the Indigenous people and culture was evident in the way she spoke and interacted with everyone. I did not have high expectation fo the included lunch but it was quite delicious! I also overheard someone else say the same. 10/10
Mark **************
2026-07-07 15:02:03
Fantastic 5.0
Our tour was delayed by an hour because of bad weather (quite unseasonal, considering winter is supposed to be the "dry season"), but honestly they made the right call! We had a brief window of okay weather and good visibility over the reefs. The pilot Jesse was very nice and cheerful; he made me sit beside him seeing that I was travelling solo, and honestly it made the experience so much better! Also, that was one of the smoothest landings I've ever experienced for an aircraft; I didn't even notice we were already on wheels on the runway. Highly recommend this tour! But allow some flexibility in your schedule as it is a very weather-dependent activity: keep an eye on the forecast 2-3 days before locking in a date.
Noorlisawati ***********
2026-06-30 12:29:28
Fantastic 5.0
We joined the stargazing tour and really enjoyed it. Stargazing depends a lot on luck and weather, so we were very grateful that the conditions were good on the night we went. The experience felt really special because it was so dark at the location that we could only see the silhouettes of the trees, with the distant brightness coming from Cairns city. Lying on a picnic mat under the open sky and looking up at what felt like countless stars was such a peaceful and unforgettable moment. Our guide was very passionate and knowledgeable, which made the tour even better. He shared useful tips on how to take photos of the stars, lent us his binoculars, and pointed out different stars and constellations, especially Scorpio. He also showed us the Milky Way, which was amazing to see. It was a very meaningful experience and something different from the usual sightseeing activities in Cairns. I recommend it if you enjoy nature, quiet moments, and learning more about the night sky.
Klook User
2026-10-10 05:20:48
Fantastic 5.0
What an absolutely incredible experience! Yesterday, I had the opportunity to enjoy a 30-minute scenic helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef with Zoom Helicopters, and it was truly breathtaking! Seeing the stunning turquoise waters, beautiful coral reefs, and spectacular views from above was simply magical. Every moment of the flight was exciting, and the scenery was beyond words. It was definitely one of the most memorable experiences of my life! The whole experience was fun, thrilling, and absolutely worth it. Those 30 minutes flew by so quickly, and I wished the ride could have lasted longer! Highly recommend Zoom Helicopters to anyone visiting the Great Barrier Reef. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you shouldn’t miss! Thank you, Zoom Helicopters, for such an amazing adventure! 🚁💙🌴
Klook User
2026-10-08 08:01:25
Fantastic 5.0
Had a wonderful day with Carsten! The trip was very well organized, and what made it even more enjoyable was our guide and driver, who was incredibly fun, friendly, and entertaining. There was never a dull moment throughout the journey. Thank you, Carsten, for such a memorable and enjoyable experience!
Klook会員
2026-09-30 10:36:49
Fantastic 5.0
It was a well-scheduled and efficient tour. The shuttle bus driver was extremely kind and patiently accommodated our poor English. We also added the koala-holding experience as an option. Although round-trip transportation was included, we took the train back on the return trip. It was a thoroughly satisfying day.
Mridul ******
2026-06-01 22:28:30
Fantastic 5.0
We had an absolutely fantastic hot air ballooning experience. The entire crew—Bob, Brownie, and Gavin—were incredibly helpful, friendly, and funny, making the whole trip enjoyable from start to finish. Their professionalism and sense of humor helped everyone feel comfortable and relaxed. The flight itself was exceptionally smooth, and the views were breathtaking. Watching the sunrise from above was truly unforgettable and worth every minute of the early start. Even those who are nervous about heights or flying will likely feel at ease, as the ride is gentle and surprisingly calm. Overall, it was a wonderful experience that exceeded our expectations. A big thank you to Bob, Brownie, and Gavin for making it such a memorable adventure. Highly recommended!
Klook User
2026-10-08 16:55:10
Fantastic 5.0
Had a very smooth experience with this travel operator. Had my pick up and drop off on time. The shuttle was good and the instructions were also easy to follow.

Quick facts about Cairns

Local weather

℉℃
  • JAN - DEC
    31°18°

General info
  • Time zone

    No time difference

  • Official languages

  • Best time to visit

    Pohoda Music Festival

    Christmas Markets in Bratislava

    Cairns Festival

  • Recommended trip duration

What to know before visiting Cairns

Best Cairns Attractions

Great Barrier Reef

When you visit Cairns, exploring the Great Barrier Reef is a must. You can join a boat tour to snorkel or dive among bright coral and tropical fish. It’s one of the best ways to experience the natural beauty around Cairns.

Cairns Esplanade & Lagoon

The Cairns Esplanade is a popular waterfront area where you can walk, bike, or relax by the sea. You can cool off at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, a large saltwater pool that’s perfect for swimming year-round. When you’re in Cairns, this is one of the best free spots to enjoy the city’s outdoor lifestyle.

Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail

A trip to the rainforest village of Kuranda is one of the top things to do in Cairns. You can ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which takes you through waterfalls and mountains, then return on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, gliding above the treetops. This gives you amazing views of the rainforest near Cairns.

Cairns Botanic Gardens

The Cairns Botanic Gardens is the perfect place to see rare tropical plants and learn about the rainforest environment. When you visit Cairns, you can walk through shaded paths, explore different garden sections, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. It’s a great spot for nature lovers and anyone looking for a quiet escape.

Cairns Aquarium

The Cairns Aquarium is a fun and educational attraction where you can learn about reef creatures and rainforest wildlife. When you're in Cairns, this is a great place to see sharks, rays, jellyfish, and even freshwater animals up close. It’s perfect for families and a great indoor activity on rainy days

Tips before visiting Cairns

Prepare for the tropical weather

Cairns has a warm and humid climate, so pack light clothing, sunscreen, and a hat. If you visit during the wet season, be ready for sudden rain and higher humidity

Plan your reef and rainforest tours early

Popular activities like Great Barrier Reef trips, Kuranda tours, and Daintree day trips can sell out fast. When you visit Cairns, it’s best to book these experiences ahead of time so you get the dates and times you want

Stay safe while swimming

If you're visiting during stinger season (November to March), always wear a stinger suit when swimming in the ocean. You can still swim safely at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon or on certain islands with protected swimming areas.

Get a convenient Australia eSIM

For easy internet access and navigation in Cairns, consider buying an Australia eSIM on Klook. It’s quick to set up on your phone and helps you stay connected during tours, driving, and exploring around the city

FAQs about Cairns

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