- JAN - DEC31°18°
Top things to do in Cairns
From
NZ$ 71.45
Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Day Tour
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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(165) • 8K+ booked
NZ$ 155.45
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway Tickets
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(123) • 4K+ booked
NZ$ 135.85
Cairns Aquarium Ticket
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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(176) • 10K+ booked
NZ$ 74.65
Klook's choice
Great Barrier Reef Full Day Snorkel or Dive Tour from Cairns
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Hotel pick-up
English guided
(253) • 7K+ booked
NZ$ 314.89
Great Barrier Reef Half Day and Full Day Tours
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Hotel pick-up
Free cancellation
(185) • 5K+ booked
NZ$ 220.69
Klook's choice
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel, Dive & Helicopter Full Day Tour
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Hotel pick-up
English guided
(192) • 4K+ booked
From
NZ$ 518.60
Spring deal
Full-Day Tully River Rafting in Cairns
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English guided
Morning departure
(25) • 900+ booked
NZ$ 239.89
Spring deal
Barron River Rafting - Cairns, Port Douglas or Self-Drive
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English guided
Morning departure
(40) • 1K+ booked
NZ$ 111.39
Spring deal
Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge Day Tour from Cairns
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(65) • 1K+ booked
From
NZ$ 212.49
Spring deal
Half-Day River Tubing Experience from Cairns
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English guided
Morning departure
(58) • 2K+ booked
NZ$ 84.80
Cairns Night Stargazing Tour (with Photography Lesson)
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Free cancellation
(38) • 400+ booked
NZ$ 145.65
Transport in Cairns
Green Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns
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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(7) • 700+ booked
From
NZ$ 115.05
Fitzroy Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns
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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(33) • 1K+ booked
NZ$ 132.19
Spring deal
Cairns car rentals | Rent a car for Great Barrier Reef, Green Island, Kuranda
Instant confirmation
Free cancellation
Hertz
6K+ booked
From
NZ$ 101
/day Cairns｜Cairns International Airport Private Airport Transfer
Bestseller
Instant confirmation
(19) • 200+ booked
From
NZ$ 99.99
NZ$ 587.45
Hotels in Cairns
From
NZ$ 372.46
NZ$ 376.22
From
NZ$ 277.44
From
NZ$ 229.54
From
NZ$ 306.79
NZ$ 330.14
From
NZ$ 270.53
From
NZ$ 263.85
NZ$ 289.78
From
NZ$ 197.95
From
NZ$ 212.61
NZ$ 216.76
From
NZ$ 175.9
NZ$ 187.46
From
NZ$ 209.37
NZ$ 225.56
From
NZ$ 137.48
From
NZ$ 189.9
Cairns travel guide
Reviews of Cairns activities
Klook会員
2026-07-10 10:06:52
Since it was just a ferry ticket, we couldn't go to the area where the fish and turtles were, so I thought it might be better to have a ticket for that as well. However, all the ferry staff were very kind, and there was even Japanese staff, which made us feel at ease. A guide from another boat told us where the turtles were, and we searched together and were able to see them very close up! It was a great experience to see the beautiful ocean and the turtles!
Klook会員
2026-09-18 22:59:08
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
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
Noorlisawati ***********
2026-06-30 12:29:28
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.
Mark **************
2026-07-07 15:02:03
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.
Klook User
2026-10-08 08:01:25
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 User
2026-06-22 06:08:15
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
Mridul ******
2026-06-01 22:28:30
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
2026-10-10 05:20:48
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! 🚁💙🌴
Quick facts about Cairns
Local weather
℉℃ General info
Time zone
GMT +10:00
No time difference
Currency
Australian Dollar
1NZD = 0.82AUD
Official languages
English
Best time to visit
JUL
Pohoda Music Festival
NOV - DEC
Christmas Markets in Bratislava
AUG - SEP
Cairns Festival
Recommended trip duration
3 days
Flight time
6 hours
When departing from Auckland
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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Explore more on Klook
Top attractions in Cairns
Everything you need for your Cairns visit
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