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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
(184) • 8K+ booked
From
$ 57.35
Retail: $ 57.45
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
(164) • 7K+ booked
From
$ 125.75
Cairns Aquarium Ticket
Zoos & aquariums • Cairns

Cairns Aquarium Ticket

Book now for today
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(176) • 10K+ booked
From
$ 60.35
Retail: $ 60.40
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 today
Hotel pick-up
English guided
4.7 / 5
(252) • 7K+ booked
From
$ 252.50
Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge Day Tour from Cairns
Fall deal
Tours • From Cairns

Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge Day Tour from Cairns

Book now for today
English guided
Free cancellation
4.7 / 5
(62) • 1K+ booked
From
$ 193.05
Save $ 48.24
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway Tickets
Observation decks • Cairns

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway Tickets

Book now for today
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(120) • 3K+ booked
$ 109.95
Great Barrier Reef Half Day and Full Day Tours
Cruises • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Half Day and Full Day Tours

Book now for today
Hotel pick-up
Free cancellation
4.5 / 5
(184) • 5K+ booked
From
$ 178.59
Half-Day River Tubing Experience from Cairns
Fall deal
Water activities • Cairns

Half-Day River Tubing Experience from Cairns

Book now for today
English guided
Morning departure
4.8 / 5
(56) • 2K+ booked
$ 68.65
Save $ 29.40
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
English guided
4.6 / 5
(191) • 4K+ booked
$ 415.89
Cairns Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Experience
Water activities • Cairns

Cairns Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Experience

English guided
Morning departure
7+ hrs
4.8 / 5
(15) • 400+ booked
From
$ 226.79
10% off select options
Outer Reef Pontoon Full Day Tour at Moore Reef
Cruises • From Cairns

Outer Reef Pontoon Full Day Tour at Moore Reef

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
4.4 / 5
(36) • 1K+ booked
$ 303.99
Cairns Southern Hemisphere Stars Half-Day Natural Wonders Tour
Tours • From Cairns

Cairns Southern Hemisphere Stars Half-Day Natural Wonders Tour

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.7 / 5
(35) • 300+ booked
$ 117.85
Green Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns
Ferries • Cairns

Green Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns

Book now for today
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(7) • 700+ booked
From
$ 93.09
Cairns car rentals | Rent a car for Great Barrier Reef, Green Island, Kuranda
Car rentals • Cairns

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

Instant confirmation
Free cancellation
Everything Fleet
6K+ booked
From
$ 168
/day
10% 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) • 100+ booked
From
$ 81.25
Fitzroy Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns
Ferries • Cairns

Fitzroy Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(33) • 1K+ booked
$ 106.95
Cairns Private Car Charter
Car charters • Cairns

Cairns Private Car Charter

Book now for tomorrow
Customized itinerary
Free cancellation
100+ booked
$ 475.30

Hotels in Cairns

Crystalbrook Riley
Hotels • Cairns

Crystalbrook Riley

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
$ 263.87
Pacific Hotel Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Pacific Hotel Cairns

Instant confirmation
4.2 / 5
(1.0K)
From
$ 198.14
$ 212.64
Shangri-La Hotel The Marina, Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Shangri-La Hotel The Marina, Cairns

Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(1.0K)
From
$ 289.35
Crystalbrook Bailey
Hotels • Cairns

Crystalbrook Bailey

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
$ 234.25
Green Island Resort
Hotels • Cairns

Green Island Resort

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(372)
From
$ 482.83
Alivio Hotel Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Alivio Hotel Cairns

Instant confirmation
4.2 / 5
(655)
From
$ 186.88
Cairns Central Plaza Apartment Hotel
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Central Plaza Apartment Hotel

Instant confirmation
4.2 / 5
(1.0K)
From
$ 227.02
Cairns Queens Court
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Queens Court

Instant confirmation
3.8 / 5
(1.0K)
From
$ 117.41
The Abbott Boutique Hotel
Hotels • Cairns

The Abbott Boutique Hotel

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
$ 220.24
Cairns Plaza Hotel
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Plaza Hotel

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
$ 233.56
Hides Hotel Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Hides Hotel Cairns

Instant confirmation
3.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
$ 123.1
Fitzroy Island Resort
Hotels • Cairns

Fitzroy Island Resort

Instant confirmation
4.1 / 5
(941)
From
$ 183.3
$ 194.22

Cairns travel guide

Things to do Transport Places to stay Travel essentials
Klook Team

Reviews of Cairns activities

Thuc *******
2026-08-24 22:17:26
Fantastic 5.0
Service was fast and convenient. The train made a stop at Barron Falls station for us to have a look. Do keep in mind the weather can get windy at times (especially when ascending uphill), so keep a light jacket & hat with you. Upon arriving at Kuranda you'll have roughly 3-4 hours to explore around.
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!
CHUNG ******
2026-09-08 02:59:15
Fantastic 5.0
the aquarium is very nice with ecologists dharing knowledge of the marine life.
Klook 用戶
2026-10-05 00:27:23
Fantastic 5.0
The onboard staff were very enthusiastic and provided detailed introductions. After boarding, we left our ID at the counter to borrow prescription diving masks. At the second dive site, we decided on the spot to pay the 20 AUD for the glass-bottom boat ride, where we saw many fish and corals. The meals on board were simple and average, so those who care about food can bring their own snacks. Also, it is recommended to take motion sickness medicine to avoid ruining a wonderful trip.
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
Hwee ****************
2026-06-23 05:14:14
Fantastic 5.0
View of Daintree rainforest from the sky. we switched to 2-way Cable car as the return train ride was pretty late and we were staying at Port Douglas. There were 3 stops and we could see Baron Falls plus walk around the Kurang Village.
Thuc *******
2026-09-02 03:06:16
Fantastic 5.0
Great day tour at the Reef, we got to stop at 2 diving spots and my package also includes 1 helicopter flight. The operator also has a photographer, who helped you took underwater photos which you can purchased later (though it is quite pricey at $20/pic). Lunch is basic (steak, prawns, grilled fish, salad & pasta) but delicious, and the prawns were very fresh. What I wish could have been better is the helicopter flight announcement - it would have been better if they announced my turn roughly 10-15 mins before the flight took off, so I'd have enough time to change to normal clothes (I was snorkelling right before that). Also I believe if passengers are given at least 30 mins before departure to take motion sickness pills, it will work better. Some passengers on my trip took the pill but still got sick, maybe bcoz the pill did not have enough time to take effect (you gotta take it after breakfast, at least 30 mins before departure).
Klook用戶
2026-05-24 08:49:02
Fantastic 5.0
Wonderful experience! Well ogranized for over 100 passsengers, from safety, seating, equipment to lunch and afternoon tea. Great for our first time snorkelling, and staff were friendly. unfortunately, the helicopter was cancelled due to the weather but everything else was good. Even though we got really seasick (although we took tablets), it was totally worth it!
En ***
2026-09-25 05:54:38
Fantastic 5.0
It was really chill and fun! The crew members were very helpful and they kept us safe. Definitely recommended if you are not looking for something very dramatic.

Quick facts about Cairns

Local weather

℉℃
  • JAN - DEC
    31°18°

General info
  • Time zone

    No time difference

  • Currency

    1CAD = 1.01AUD

  • Official languages

  • Best time to visit

    Pohoda Music Festival

    Christmas Markets in Bratislava

    Cairns Festival

  • Recommended trip duration

  • Flight time

    When departing from Toronto

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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