Places to visit in Cairns

The Great Barrier Reef, one of the planet's most beautiful and biodiverse marine ecosystems, is within easy reach of Cairns Airport in Australia. The reef comprises thousands of smaller reefs scattered over a large area and is home to numerous marine life forms.

Travelers can go on a day journey from Cairns Airport or a multi-day live-aboard vacation to experience this diverse ecology. Visitors often go snorkeling or scuba diving while they are there. They can go snorkeling among the fish and corals, swim with the turtles, and explore the artificial reefs made from sunken ships.

The months of June through November are whale migration months. During that time, tourists can take scenic flights over the reef to see the coral from above and possibly glimpse some whales.

You can find a wide variety of possibilities at getyourguide.com if you're seeking something more than the natural beauty of the area surrounding Cairns Airport.

Cairns: Self-Guided Kuranda Day Trip, Scenic Rail & Skyrail

Discover the jungle settlement of Kuranda, designated as a World Heritage Site. Have a ride to the railway station arranged for you from your hotel. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and soar above the Barron Gorge and its many waterfalls.

Take a 2.5-hour river cruise (seasonal) or peruse the local markets, boutiques, and walking trails. Explore the restaurants, cafes, and food stands, or have a meal at the renowned Frog's Restaurant, frequented by water dragons for its unique sauces and dressings. Ride the world-famous Skyrail, which stretches for 7.5 kilometers over the tropical rainforest treetops to the ground.

Learn about the local fauna and see the cassowary, the most giant flightless bird in the world. Take the 2:00 PM Skyrail to the stop below (Skyrail Smithfield station). Embark on a thrilling expedition across and deep into the oldest, still-standing tropical rainforest in the world.

Cairns' unique Skyrail ride through Australia's World Heritage-listed tropical rainforest is to be noticed. Putting you in the thick of one of the most plant-rich regions on the planet. The bus that will take you back to the hotel after your Skyrail tour leaves at 3:30 PM.

From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Tour

Learn to scuba dive and snorkel in the pristine waters of the outer Great Barrier Reef on this day trip from Cairns. Charter a ship that offers not one but three sundecks, two air-conditioned indoor saloons, a roomy dive deck, and a swim platform. Bring some drinks and a picnic meal.

This 8-hour excursion leaves Cairns in the morning and travels to the outer reef. Join a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on a luxury day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef, whether you're a snorkeler, first-time SCUBA diver, or certified diver.

Take a break for some morning tea and a tasty picnic lunch that has already been packed. You can help yourself to free beverages like tea, coffee, and iced water all day long (snacks and soft and alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase).

Exploring the Great Barrier Reef with a snorkel is as easy as taking a deep breath. It's okay if you've never tried snorkeling before; training will show you how to put on and use the equipment properly.

The distance to the private reefs is around 70 km (about 43 miles). These one-of-a-kind dive locations boast beautiful reefs teaming with marine life, including curious Nemos, turtles, stingrays, and Wally, the Maori wrasse.

Every day, you should go to two separate reefs. To have the best possible time in the water, these are selected en route based on forecasts and observations of the current climate and sea conditions. Stop by Hastings, Saxon, or Norman Reef.

From Cairns: Full-Day Green Island Cruise

You may take a contemporary catamaran from Cairns to Green Island National Park for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling. Explore the Great Barrier Reef's coral reefs with a snorkel and fins and find a hidden jewel. Pick between a semi-submarine tour and a lunch buffet.

You should go to the docks and board your catamaran with the help of the helpful staff. Take it easy as the sun warms you and the ship as you sail toward the Great Barrier Reef.

As you travel to Green Island National Park, you will be treated to beautiful ocean vistas. Take a stroll on the island and check out the serene beaches. Make a pit stop and cool off by swimming in the water.

Get your hands on snorkeling gear and explore the vibrant marine life in the area. To see the colorful fish and coral reef without getting wet, you can take a semi-submarine trip or a tour in a boat with a glass bottom.

Cairns: Skyrail, Kuranda, and Rail Tour with Hotel Transfer

This trip will pick you up and drop you off at your Cairns accommodation so you can easily explore the Cairns World Heritage Rainforest. Take the Kuranda Scenic Rail train back after some free time in the town of Kuranda.

Get picked up in the morning at your hotel in Cairns. Have fun on the ride to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. A trip to Kuranda is only complete with riding the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and quietly gliding above the rainforest.

The cableway stops at two stations. You can take a short walk through the rainforest to some genuinely breathtaking lookouts or stop at the CSIRO Interpretive Center. When you get to Kuranda. Spend your leisure time browsing the unique stores and stalls at the daily Heritage Markets.

One of the most beautiful train rides in the world may be had on the Kuranda Scenic Rail. Travel over bridges spanning breathtaking canyons and into hand-cut tunnels. Get on the bus that will take you back to your Cairns hotel.

Cairns: Outer Edges of The Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight

Cairns is the starting point for many spectacular flights over the Great Barrier Reef. Take to the skies in a fixed-wing aircraft and survey up to 140 kilometers of the Outer Barrier, as well as several inner islands, reefs, and sand isles.

After leaving Cairns, the real journey begins. Green Island, Oyster Reef, Vlasoff Cay, Upolo Reef, Pixie Reef, and Arlington Reef all make for stunning backdrops in photographs.

Just relax in the cool air conditioning while you soar through the clouds. Relax in your window seat and listen to the pilot's insightful narration as you take in the breathtaking views of the green and blue landscape below.

Manta rays, green turtles, dugongs, sharks, and (when they're there) whales are all within sight of the airplane as you soar over the ocean. The moment your excursion is over, return immediately to Cairns.

From Cairns: Fitzroy Island Full-Day Adventure Tour

Taking a day trip from Cairns, you can explore Fitzroy Island. Take the sights on a ferry cruise, and then hit the trails. Explore the coral reef and its natural marine life by snorkeling or looking down from a glass-bottom boat.

Pick from various packages, such as transportation for independent sightseeing or excursions with snorkeling gear or glass-bottom boat rides.

Visit the island's 339 hectares of protected and managed National Park rainforest. This rainforest occupies 94% of the island. The island's walking pathways are accessible to people of varying fitness levels, so you can go wherever and whenever you want.

The fast catamaran sails out of Marlin Marina, and you can check in there before boarding. You can reach Fitzroy Island in 45 minutes if you take a cruise down the coast's calm seas, and then you'll have up to 7 hours to explore the tropical island.

Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Semi-Submarine Catamaran Tour

Spend a day traveling from Cairns to the center of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the water and the ship on a semi-submersible catamaran that is fun for all ages and abilities.

Take a trip to a large, well-equipped activity platform floating near the Great Barrier Reef's rim. Indulge in the platform's offerings for three hours and see the reef's aquatic life at its most abundant.

Explore the underwater world by snorkeling amid colorful tropical fish and thriving coral reefs. The snorkel platforms provide effortless entry to the sea. You could even chat up Wally, the reef's friendliest fish.

Explore the reef from the underwater observatory if you'd instead not get wet. Relax in the air conditioning while listening to insightful commentary from the captain of your semi-submarine.