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Top things to do in Cairns

Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Day Tour
Klook's choice
Tours • From Cairns

Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Day Tour

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (130) • 4K+ booked
From ¥ 12,750
Kuranda Scenic Railway Heritage Class Ticket
Parks & gardens • Cairns

Kuranda Scenic Railway Heritage Class Ticket

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (169) • 5K+ booked
From ¥ 5,987
Green Island Reef Cruise Full Day Tour from Cairns
Klook's choice
Cruises • From Cairns

Green Island Reef Cruise Full Day Tour from Cairns

Book now for today
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.5 (118) • 6K+ booked
From ¥ 16,616
Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge from Cairns
Klook's choice
Tours • From Cairns

Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.7 (29) • 800+ booked
¥ 23,932
Klook Pass Australia Tours
Attraction passes • Northern Territory

Klook Pass Australia Tours

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.8 (252) • 5K+ booked
From ¥ 28,634
¥ 48,490
Klook exclusive
One-day tour of the Kuranda Tropical Rainforest in Cairns, Australia (with pickup/koala holding/cable car and train/Chinese tour)
Tours • From Cairns

One-day tour of the Kuranda Tropical Rainforest in Cairns, Australia (with pickup/koala holding/cable car and train/Chinese tour)

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.8 (28) • 100+ booked
From ¥ 15,189
Great Barrier Reef Day Tours
Cruises • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Day Tours

Hotel pick-up
Small group
Book now for today
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.5 (166) • 3K+ booked
From ¥ 10,973
Great Barrier Reef Full Day Tour from Cairns
Cruises • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Full Day Tour from Cairns

Hotel pick-up
Book now for today
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.7 (221) • 5K+ booked
From ¥ 27,694
Cairns Aquarium Ticket
Zoos & aquariums • Cairns

Cairns Aquarium Ticket

Book now for today
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (157) • 8K+ booked
From ¥ 6,061
Grand Kuranda Full Day Tour from Cairns
Tours • From Cairns

Grand Kuranda Full Day Tour from Cairns

Hotel pick-up
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (119) • 1K+ booked
¥ 32,919
Half-Day River Tubing Experience from Cairns or Northern Beaches
Water activities • Cairns

Half-Day River Tubing Experience from Cairns or Northern Beaches

Book now for today
English guided
Morning departure
3-5 hrs
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.9 (44) • 1K+ booked
¥ 9,928
Cairns Skydive Experience
Outdoor & sports activities • Cairns

Cairns Skydive Experience

Book now for today
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.8 (140) • 1K+ booked
¥ 36,472
Shared Airport Transfer between Cairns, Port Douglas, Palm Cove
Airport trains & buses • From Cairns

Shared Airport Transfer between Cairns, Port Douglas, Palm Cove

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (392) • 5K+ booked
From ¥ 2,404
Green Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns
Ferries • Cairns

Green Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns

Book now for today
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (5) • 400+ booked
¥ 11,391
Cairns car rentals | Rent a car for Great Barrier Reef, Green Island, Kuranda
Year End Sale
Car rentals • Cairns

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

Instant confirmation
5K+ booked
From ¥ 8,088
¥ 8,987
10 off
Shared Cairns Airport Transfer (CNS) for Cairns
Airport trains & buses • Cairns

Shared Cairns Airport Transfer (CNS) for Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.2 (13) • 400+ booked
From ¥ 2,404
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 (33) • 1K+ booked
¥ 10,137
Airport Transfers from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas
Private airport transfers • Cairns

Airport Transfers from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
50+ booked
From ¥ 6,323
Cairns Private Car Charter
Car charters • Cairns

Cairns Private Car Charter

Book now for tomorrow
Customized itinerary
Free cancellation
100+ booked
From ¥ 50,162

Hotels in Cairns

Shangri-La Hotel The Marina, Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Shangri-La Hotel The Marina, Cairns

Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (926)
From ¥ 20,729
Park Regis City Quays
Hotels • Cairns

Park Regis City Quays

Instant confirmation
★ 4.1 (973)
From ¥ 14,158
Crystalbrook Bailey
Hotels • Cairns

Crystalbrook Bailey

Instant confirmation
★ 4.5 (667)
From ¥ 16,916
Palm Royale Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Palm Royale Cairns

Instant confirmation
★ 4.1 (985)
From ¥ 12,146
Crystalbrook Riley
Hotels • Cairns

Crystalbrook Riley

Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (944)
From ¥ 20,411
Cairns Queens Court
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Queens Court

Instant confirmation
★ 3.8 (971)
From ¥ 9,596
Crystalbrook Flynn
Hotels • Cairns

Crystalbrook Flynn

Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (765)
From ¥ 21,009
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
Hotels • Cairns

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (619)
From ¥ 19,028
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

Instant confirmation
★ 4.2 (972)
From ¥ 19,049
Coral Tree Inn
Hotels • Cairns

Coral Tree Inn

Instant confirmation
★ 4.0 (987)
From ¥ 15,278
Hilton Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Hilton Cairns

Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (942)
From ¥ 22,277
Green Island Resort
Hotels • Cairns

Green Island Resort

Instant confirmation
★ 4.5 (322)
From ¥ 45,840

Reviews of Cairns activities

Alci ********
2025-10-04 08:05:58
Fantastic 5.0
worth the visit , you can do so many things in a single day . good for people who don’t have much time
Shiloh *****
2025-09-28 20:03:07
Fantastic 5.0
Absolutely beautiful, well organised, communication from the beginning and during. Passionate about what they do, and our sea and everything in it. Children to our elderly were all there to enjoy the day.
Sally *****
2025-11-19 01:26:02
Fantastic 5.0
Informative talk; relaxing cruise; nice wildlife to see including turtles, ducks, birds and fish; nice view of the rainforest from the cruise
Fiona *******
2025-09-23 05:26:13
Fantastic 5.0
It was a really fun touring suitable when you just want a half day rather than a fun day.
Klook User
2025-11-15 22:11:42
Fantastic 5.0
It was amazing! They even gave me extra 10 min flight! They were 10 min late to pick me up though. All in all, I was satisfied with them.
lee *********
2025-08-18 04:00:14
Fantastic 5.0
Coaches: Coaches Neil and Brian were very professional and patient, which made us feel very secure throughout the trip. Experience: Driver Mike was funny, humorous, and very considerate. He blended in well with us, making the whole trip pleasant and unforgettable. We will definitely join this tour again if we have the opportunity.
Cool ******
2025-10-12 07:10:57
Fantastic 5.0
For the best snorkeling, head to the rocks near the restaurant/cafe. If you're going to Nudey Beach, remember that the sand is coral, so reef shoes are a must. Even while snorkeling, it's best to wear them. It was quite busy when we visited, and although windy, the sun was out. We hiked to the Summit before snorkeling, which took us 2 hours round trip with stops. I especially enjoyed Fitzroy Island because of the hiking trails. The beach and snorkeling are decent.
Celine ***
2025-10-25 07:51:19
Fantastic 5.0
I had a fantastic time with the Dreamtime Snorkel Experience. Check-in at the wharf was seamless. We visited 2 different dive sites, and the visibility was amazing that day, making for a great snorkeling experience. The buffet lunch was delicious and offered a wide variety of options. The team was very welcoming and did an amazing job with the thoughtful presentations throughout the day, including those about the local marine life and indigenous culture. They were knowledgeable and able to answer all questions with ease and passion. I added on a snorkel safari led by a marine biologist who passionately shared information about the marine life we spotted. Safety was also a priority, with multiple headcounts to ensure no one was left behind. Highly recommended!
Colin ***
2025-09-06 00:29:43
Fantastic 5.0
Our cruise took us down the river and out to a beautiful, sun-drenched beach that was pure paradise. The views along the way were stunning, and the captain provided interesting commentary about the local area and wildlife, which was a great touch. The boat was clean and comfortable, and the journey was incredibly smooth.

Quick facts about Cairns

Local weather

  • JAN - DEC
    31°18°

General info
  • Time zone

    No time difference

  • Currency

    1AUD = 104.50JPY

  • Official languages

  • Best time to visit

    Pohoda Music Festival

    Christmas Markets in Bratislava

    Cairns Festival

  • Recommended trip duration

  • Flight time

    When departing from Auckland

See popular activities on the map

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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