Ah, the tropical north! Home to the Great Barrier Reef and bluest lagoons in Aus, Cairns is the Southern Hemisphere’s ultimate beach destination. This tropical paradise boasts of sandy beaches, hidden waterfalls, and heaps of underwater fun.
Sounds dreamy? Add it to your bucket list! To help you plan your tropical vacay, here are 7 tips and tricks for a fantastic trip. From must-see Cairns attractions to wallet-saving deals, we’ve got you covered!
1. Slip slop slap and bring your best thongs
Time for a flip-flops showdown! Image Credits: @aqualagooncairns
As a place that’s sunny all year round Cairns is a city made for walking! Though the weather might be steamy, nothing is too far away. Whether you’re staying in the swankiest resort in town or renting a cosy apartment, the ocean delights are easy to get to—just slip on your favourite pair of thongs and stroll along the stunning waterfronts and the Esplanade. Or, if you know how to ride a bike, Cairn’s wide palm-lined streets are perfect too.
Wondering where to stay in Cairns? Here are our top picks!
2. Download this app, stat!
Take in the city views as you ride the bus Image Credits: @japheth.bascuna
When your legs can’t take it anymore, take the bus! Aside from walking and biking, the city’s buses are just as convenient to transport you around Cairns and beyond. Explore the suburbs of the tropical city, where you’ll find the oldest rainforest in the world: the Daintree Rainforest. While at it, don’t miss out on the latest bus service updates as well as stop alerts with the MyTransLink app, available in the App Store and Google Play.
Klook Tip: When in Cairns CBD, use the “hail n’ ride system” when you’re looking for a bus. Simply stick your arms out to hail a ride, even if you’re not at the bus stop!
3. …Or take the car
Hop on and off anytime when you’ve got your own ride Image Credits: @simonindovino
If public transport isn’t for you, cars are the way to go, especially when you’re planning to hit up swimming holes and secret waterfalls. A lot of the natural attractions in Cairns are only accessible by car, so taking your vehicle or renting one is the fastest way to travel. Still, if you’re worried about hefty toll fees and parking tickets, we’re here to bring the good news: most parking spaces are FREE! The only catch is finding a spot might be extra difficult during the peak season from June to August.
Discover where to go and things to do around Cairns with our trusty guide!
4. Bundle up and save with a Klook Cairns Attractions Pass
Meet Cairn’s quirkiest residents inside the Cairns Aquarium
Got a long list of tourist attractions to go to? No problemo! This Cairns attractions deal lets you explore not 1, but 5 incredible destinations in the city with only one pass. Visit the Cairns Aquarium, Rainforest Nature Park, Hartley’s Crocodile, Kuranda Scenic Railway, and many more when you book the Klook Pass Cairns. All you gotta do? Choose your attractions, set the dates, and you’re good to go! The pass is valid for 6 months, perfect for travellers who love taking their sweet time.
Going on a trip to Cairns with the entire fam? Check out the best family-friendly activities to do around the city!
5. Prepare for a hike
Bucket list check: climb Cairn’s pyramid! Image Credits: @chelseeyann_
Now that we’ve covered the nitty-gritty bits, it’s time for a hike! This tropical city isn’t short of amazing natural wonders, including waterfalls, gorges, rainforests, and lagoons. Part of your Cairns to-do list should include nature walks to Barron Gorge National Park, near the village of Kuranda, and Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls, home to 10 of the widest and most surreal falls in the Land Down Under. For challenging trails, Walsh’s Pyramid offers the best views of Cairns when you climb its summit!
Klook tip: Don’t wander in alone and without a guide, join a tour and bring a map with you wherever you go!
And if you fancy a little thrill ride, helicopter tours of the tropics are another fun way to get to know the area. Find out which tour is for you here!
6. Bargain like a local
Get your hands on the quirkiest finds in Cairns Image Credits: @cairnsnightmarkets
Take a break from sightseeing by dropping a visit to the Cairns Night Markets. Open every day from 4:30 PM onwards, this open-air market’s got some of the most bizarre trinkets and handmade souvenirs you’ll ever find. From Hawaiian-print shirts, fabulous jewellery, tasty Asian dishes to tarot card reading, everything’s a bargain!
7. Pack extras
Live the island life at Palm Cove Image Credits: @hadacoupla
One thing you can’t have enough of inside your bag? Extra swimsuits! Because Cairns is a city surrounded by blue waters, there are plenty of opportunities for tanning sessions, relaxing dips, deep dives, and thrilling watersports on its most spectacular beaches. The top attractions in Cairns include Trinity Beach, Ellis Beach, Mission Beach—and let’s not forget: the Great Barrier Reef in Green Island!
Klook Tip: For a short getaway, Port Douglas and Palm Cove resort towns are 30 mins to an hour’s drive from the city. See golden sands and swaying palm trees, and discover tons of scrumptious beachside dining for the foodies!
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More sand and sun in the tropical north!
