Explore Cairns
Things to do
Transport
Hotels

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 (177) • 7K+ booked
US$ 40.49
Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Day Tour
Tours • From Cairns

Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Day Tour

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (150) • 6K+ booked
US$ 88.59
Cairns Aquarium Ticket
Zoos & aquariums • Cairns

Cairns Aquarium Ticket

Book now for today
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (169) • 9K+ booked
From US$ 42.59
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
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.5 (176) • 4K+ booked
US$ 130.85
Great Barrier Reef Full Day Snorkel or Dive Tour from Cairns
Cruises • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Full Day Snorkel or Dive Tour from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
Hotel pick-up
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.7 (243) • 6K+ booked
US$ 199.90
Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge Day Tour from Cairns
Tours • From Cairns

Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge Day Tour from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.7 (46) • 1K+ booked
US$ 133.40
20 off
Sale
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 (114) • 3K+ booked
US$ 77.45
Reef Magic Pontoon Cruise Tour from Cairns
Cruises • From Cairns

Reef Magic Pontoon Cruise Tour from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.3 (12) • 800+ booked
From US$ 226.75
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel, Dive & Helicopter Full Day Tour
Cruises • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Snorkel, Dive & Helicopter Full Day Tour

Book now for tomorrow
Hotel pick-up
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (183) • 3K+ booked
US$ 308.05
Cairns Skydive Experience
Outdoor & sports activities • Cairns

Cairns Skydive Experience

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Up to 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.8 (147) • 2K+ booked
US$ 243.95
Klook Pass Australia Tours
Attraction passes • Northern Territory

Klook Pass Australia Tours

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.8 (281) • 6K+ booked
US$ 191.15
US$ 323.69
Klook exclusive
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
★ 4.6 (22) • 200+ booked
US$ 83.05
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 (7) • 600+ booked
From US$ 66.89
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
6K+ booked
From US$ 85
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
US$ 75.35
Cairns Private Car Charter
Car charters • Cairns

Cairns Private Car Charter

Customized itinerary
Free cancellation
100+ booked
US$ 334.89
Cairns|Cairns International Airport Private Airport Transfer
Private airport transfers • Cairns

Cairns|Cairns International Airport Private Airport Transfer

Bestseller
Instant confirmation
★ 3.9 (19) • 100+ booked
US$ 50.75
Up to 10 off

Hotels in Cairns

Shangri-La Hotel The Marina, Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Shangri-La Hotel The Marina, Cairns

Instant confirmation
★ 4.5 (1,005)
From US$ 205.07
Crystalbrook Bailey
Hotels • Cairns

Crystalbrook Bailey

Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (725)
From US$ 166.02
Hilton Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Hilton Cairns

Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (1,003)
From US$ 166.21
Crystalbrook Riley
Hotels • Cairns

Crystalbrook Riley

Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (944)
From US$ 228.41
Cairns Central Plaza Apartment Hotel
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Central Plaza Apartment Hotel

Instant confirmation
★ 4.1 (998)
From US$ 160.90
Palm Royale Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Palm Royale Cairns

Instant confirmation
★ 4.1 (997)
From US$ 131.52
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
Hotels • Cairns

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (619)
From US$ 179.16
Cairns Southgate Hotel
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Southgate Hotel

Instant confirmation
★ 3.5 (580)
From US$ 97.32
Fitzroy Island Resort
Hotels • Cairns

Fitzroy Island Resort

Instant confirmation
★ 4.1 (941)
From US$ 129.91
US$ 137.65
Hides Hotel Cairns
Hotels • Cairns

Hides Hotel Cairns

Instant confirmation
★ 3.5 (955)
From US$ 87.24
Cairns Queens Court
Hotels • Cairns

Cairns Queens Court

Instant confirmation
★ 3.8 (999)
From US$ 83.21
The Espy Hostel
Hotels • Cairns

The Espy Hostel

Instant confirmation
★ 3.8 (79)
From US$ 79.06

Reviews of Cairns activities

Lin ******
2026-06-07 04:11:14
Fantastic 5.0
fun snorkelling, we added $89 for the guided snorkeling experience as this voucher only includes a self snorkel, suitable for experienced snorkeling. guided snorkeling fees more safe. it’s really beautiful
Judy **
2026-02-19 11:43:16
Fantastic 5.0
Adventure day at Daintree today. It was a wonderful experience with sunshine and a light breeze of rain in the rainforest. The journey was long, but it was worth it.
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.
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.
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!
SI *******
2026-02-19 11:18:15
Fantastic 5.0
Best last min decision ever to book this transfer. Mr Lindsay, the driver, was very nice to share a lot during the bus ride about Cairns, Hartley's and introduce sightseeing places too. The crocodile wildlife park was fun, the boat ride at the lagoon and the crocodile attack show are must-see/do! There is even a kangaroo and wallaby area for you to get up close to them, not forgetting koala which you can pay to take picture with them!
Judy **
2026-02-18 09:57:53
Fantastic 5.0
Spending a day in Kuranda was both busy and delightful. At the Rainforest Center, I had the chance to take a photo with Koloa, which was a real highlight. Because of the crowds, I decided to skip the Army Duck ride, but that didn’t take away from the experience. Overall, the trip was wonderful and full of memorable moments.
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
2026-06-26 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

Quick facts about Cairns

Local weather

  • JAN - DEC
    31°18°

General info
  • Time zone

    No time difference

  • Currency

    1USD = 1.43AUD

  • Official languages

  • Best time to visit

    Pohoda Music Festival

    Christmas Markets in Bratislava

    Cairns Festival

  • Recommended trip duration

  • Flight time

    When departing from Los Angeles

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

Where to stay in Cairns?

When is the best time to visit Cairns?

How many days in Cairns is enough?

Where is Cairns in Australia?

What is Cairns most known for?