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Top things to do in Cairns

Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Day Tour
Tours • From Cairns

Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Day Tour

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.4 / 5
(162) • 7K+ booked
US$ 89.59
Kuranda Scenic Railway Heritage Class Ticket
Parks & gardens • Cairns

Kuranda Scenic Railway Heritage Class Ticket

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(181) • 8K+ booked
US$ 40.95
Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge Day Tour from Cairns
Autumn deal
Tours • From Cairns

Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge Day Tour from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
4.7 / 5
(59) • 1K+ booked
From
US$ 134.29
Sale 20% off
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
(184) • 4K+ booked
US$ 132.29
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

Hotel pick-up
English guided
Free cancellation
4.7 / 5
(250) • 6K+ booked
From
US$ 187.09
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway Tickets
Observation decks • Cairns

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway Tickets

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(117) • 3K+ booked
US$ 78.30
Cairns Aquarium Ticket
Zoos & aquariums • Cairns

Cairns Aquarium Ticket

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(174) • 10K+ booked
From
US$ 42.79
Retail: US$ 43.05
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel, Dive & Helicopter Full Day Tour
Klook's choice
Cruises • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Snorkel, Dive & Helicopter Full Day Tour

Hotel pick-up
English guided
Free cancellation
4.6 / 5
(189) • 4K+ booked
From
US$ 296.29
Full-Day Tully River Rafting in Cairns
Autumn deal
Water activities • Cairns

Full-Day Tully River Rafting in Cairns

English guided
Morning departure
7+ hrs
4.9 / 5
(24) • 900+ booked
US$ 138.29
Sale 20% off
Fitzroy Island Round-Trip Ferry Transfers from Cairns
Water activities • Cairns

Fitzroy Island Round-Trip Ferry Transfers from Cairns

Book now for today
English guided
Morning departure
4.5 / 5
(6) • 1K+ booked
US$ 69.85
Half-Day River Tubing Experience from Cairns
Autumn deal
Water activities • Cairns

Half-Day River Tubing Experience from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Morning departure
4.8 / 5
(56) • 1K+ booked
US$ 48.89
Sale 30% off
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
(33) • 300+ booked
US$ 83.95
Green Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns
Ferries • Cairns

Green Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(7) • 700+ booked
From
US$ 67.65
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
AVIS
6K+ booked
From
US$ 112
/day
10% off
Fitzroy Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns
Ferries • Cairns

Fitzroy Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(33) • 1K+ booked
US$ 76.19
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
US$ 56.99
Cairns Private Car Charter
Car charters • Cairns

Cairns Private Car Charter

Customized itinerary
Free cancellation
100+ booked
US$ 338.60

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
US$ 205.07
Crystalbrook Bailey
Hotels • Cairns

Crystalbrook Bailey

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
US$ 166.02
Pacific Hotel Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Pacific Hotel Cairns

Instant confirmation
4.2 / 5
(1.0K)
From
US$ 142.11
US$ 152.51
Cairns Queens Court
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Queens Court

Instant confirmation
3.8 / 5
(1.0K)
From
US$ 83.21
Cairns Southgate Hotel
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Southgate Hotel

Instant confirmation
4.9 / 5
(9)
From
US$ 107.54
US$ 114.36
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
Hotels • Cairns

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Instant confirmation
4.4 / 5
(974)
From
US$ 179.16
Hides Hotel Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Hides Hotel Cairns

Instant confirmation
3.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
US$ 87.24
Crystalbrook Riley
Hotels • Cairns

Crystalbrook Riley

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
US$ 189.25
Crystalbrook Flynn
Hotels • Cairns

Crystalbrook Flynn

Instant confirmation
4.7 / 5
(1.0K)
From
US$ 180.87
Cairns Plaza Hotel
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Plaza Hotel

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
US$ 165.53
Ramada By Wyndham Cairns City Centre
Hotels • Cairns

Ramada By Wyndham Cairns City Centre

Instant confirmation
3.7 / 5
(1.0K)
From
US$ 108.89
The Abbott Boutique Hotel
Hotels • Cairns

The Abbott Boutique Hotel

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(1.0K)
From
US$ 156.09

Reviews of Cairns activities

Thuc *******
2026-09-02 03:10:58
Fantastic 5.0
Great day tour to the Daintree, but I do feel like the itinerary is a bit rush. We got too little time stopping at the Mossman River Creek & Cape Tribulation (I really wished we had more time in those places). On the other hand, I really love the welcome to country ceremony & introduction to local indigenous culture - really eye opening experience. The river cruise and walk thru the rainforest also came with clear introduction & excellent guide.
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
2026-06-22 06:08:15
Fantastic 5.0
Kuranda is a small town. Not as vibrant because not all shops open. Time is quite tight. Nice wildlife park. The 2 kangaroos are very docile and open for closeup photos. There are 2 staffs that came out to share about their animals (Jack and the blue tongue lizard). Boomerang throw is great fun. Highlight is the DUKW tour as the guide/driver shares their wealth of knowledge of the plants in the rainforest. Thumbs up! Great for whole family
Klook User
2026-06-26 09:25:57
Fantastic 5.0
it was great, the tour was not rushed, had plenty of time to explore the reforestation nature park and kuranda village
May *****
2026-04-19 00:07:55
Fantastic 5.0
Our Kuranda day tour with Klook was an amazing and stress-free experience from start to finish. The pick-up and drop-off bus service made the whole day convenient and worry-free. We loved the Skyrail experience, gliding above the stunning rainforest canopy with incredible views. Don't forget to do the stops to explore rainforest and the vie of the falls. The bird aviary was a highlight, offering the chance to see colourful tropical birds up close in Karunda village. The rail journey back was enjoyable, and learning about the fascinating history of the railway added even more value. Overall, it was a well-organised and unforgettable day tour.
Klook User
2026-09-20 01:02:00
Fantastic 5.0
Our guide, Ian, was an excellent person. He was so patient and had so much information about all the waterfalls.
Shi **
2026-04-11 05:36:38
Great 4.0
I chose the half-day tour with hotel-to-park transfer. (There's no on-site guidance, just the transfer! If you need a detailed guide, I recommend a different plan.) The crocodile show was incredibly impressive! Besides crocodiles, we saw many other animals like koalas and kangaroos. Since it was a half-day tour, we had to rush through the park a bit, which made it feel a little hectic.
f *
2026-03-28 08:44:26
Fantastic 5.0
It was a very fulfilling tour, thank you very much. My college and high school daughters also raved about it, saying it might have been the most enjoyable day of any trip they've taken. The meal was also delicious.
ZHANG *******
2026-07-30 23:27:20
Fantastic 5.0
Attractions along the way: Although the schedule was a bit tight, every attraction was well worth visiting, making it perfect for seniors and children to enjoy a relaxed and stress-free trip! Tour Guide: Excellent, and audio guides were available, allowing us to listen in our preferred language.

Quick facts about Cairns

Local weather

℉℃
  • JAN - DEC
    31°18°

General info
  • Time zone

    No time difference

  • Currency

    1USD = 1.42AUD

  • Official languages

  • Best time to visit

    Pohoda Music Festival

    Christmas Markets in Bratislava

    Cairns Festival

  • Recommended trip duration

  • Flight time

    When departing from London

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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