Cairns Attractions

In the heart of Tropical North Queensland

Cairns is an adventurer's paradise, with diving, white-water rafting, canoeing, horse riding, skydiving, mountain biking, jet boating, bungee jumping and the jungle swing craze 'minjin' all easily available. Tourism operators will bend over backwards to make sure visitors have a great holiday.

Cairns is the heart and soul of the tropics. A city teeming with life, colour and spectacular scenery - from the sweeping majesty of the Daintree rainforest to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef - it's the ideal gateway for visitors to explore the wonders of Tropical North Queensland.

What’s in the Area?

Great Barrier Reef, Green Island and Fitzroy Island
Enjoy the resort facilities and rainforest walks to white coral beaches and spectacular lookouts. Fitzroy Island also offers a wide range of water sport activities as well as snorkelling, introductory and certified diving and a learn-to-dive school. www.greatadventures.com.au

The Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest north of Cairns in Tropical Far North Queensland Australia is one of the most diverse and beautiful examples of Mother Nature in the world. It is home to the largest range of plants and animals on earth, and all are found within the largest chunk of rainforest in Australia - an area spanning approximately 1200 square kilometres. www.daintree-rec.com.au

Cairns Rainforest Dome
The Cairns Rainforest Dome is a wildlife exhibit encased by a 20 metre high glass dome on the rooftop of the Reef Hotel Casino. Approximately 60 species of rainforest animals are able to wander freely throughout the enclosure that replicates their natural environment. 35 - 41 Wharf Street, Cairns. (07 4031 7250).
www.cairnsdome.com.au

Cairns Tropical Zoo
Cairns Tropical Zoo is a"hands on" wildlife experience. The philosophy at Cairns Tropical Zoo is that personal interaction with animals encourages a greater understanding of native wildlife and promotes the need to preserve their natural habitats. Cairns Tropical Zoo is about 20 minutes drive north of Cairns close to Palm Cove. Cairns Tropical Zoo is set in 6 hectares of gardens. Lots of opportunities to interact with the animals. The Cairns Zoo also has a night zoo which includes an Aussie BBQ.
www.cairnstropicalzoo.com.au

Mossman Gorge
Tall, dense rainforests clothe the lowlands and stunted windswept rainforests occupy the mountaintops. To the west of the Main Coast Range, open forest and woodlands grow on the drier western slopes. The park provides a home for a wonderful variety of rainforest animals including tree-kangaroos, musky rat-kangaroos and Boyd’s forest dragons.
www.cairnstours.net.au

Cruises
Uncover the secrets of the Barrier Reef - an incredible underwater world hides just beneath the water’s surface. Whether you experience the reef by glass bottom boat, snorkelling or diving, it is a mystical world filled with coral, marine life and vibrant tropical fish. Discover a paradise of remote and uninhabited islands, become a lazy beachcomber or an inquisitive adventurer. The starkness of the remote and unique coral cays will fascinate you. Go snorkelling and coral viewing amongst the brilliant corals and teeming fish life on the fringing reefs of Lizard Island and Pelorus Island (exclusive to Coral Princess Cruises), or linger over the top of the spectacular platform reefs, all abundant with marine life and dancing corals.
www.coralprincess.com.au

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Scenic Rail to Kuranda
Gliding just metres above the rainforest canopy in comfortable six-person gondola cabins, the Skyrail journey immerses you in an intimate rainforest experience where you’ll see, hear, smell and become part of the tropical rainforest environment.
www.skyrail.com.au

Bungy Jumping
The Cairns Bungy jumping tower is perched above a gorgeous pool of clear, crisp mountain water and surrounded by waterfalls and tropical rainforest. The view from the top of this Bungy tower has been described as 'breathtaking and spectacular', and views all the way to Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef can be seen.
www.ajhackett.com.au

Cairns & Tully White Water Rafting Tours
In these rivers, such as the wild Tully River, the rapids come in quick succession. After an exhilarating ride through thrashing water, you'll catch your breath and regain your grip on the world only to be confronted with the next rumble of water. A full day rafting on the Tully River, for example, has more than 45 rapids twisting through untouched rainforest.
www.ragingthunder.com.au

Pier Marketplace
Next to the New Esplanade Project is the Pier Marketplace, a combination of marina and shopping areas. It boasts a diverse range of shopping, restaurants, a food court, tour booking lounge and much more. It also includes Undersea World, a living reef aquarium and is also the home of the weekend Mud Markets.
www.thepier.com.au

Marcrista Luxury Yacht Charters
The tropical sea near Cairns is a sailor’s paradise. Calm turquoise water teeming with fish and protected from large waves by the Cairns Great Barrier Reef provides alluring sailing conditions that are ranked among the best in the world. Tropical Islands and coral cays emerge from the horizon as the wind gently tugs the sails. You relax on the foredeck of your vessel as it quietly nudges through the water.
www.marcrista.com.au