Cairns is the gateway to some of Australia’s most memorable wilderness experiences, including adventures in the Daintree, but there are plenty of reasons to linger longer in this blissful city.
There are not many places in the world where I’d feel comfortable walking along the street at night sans shoes. But on a steamy summer evening in Cairns, ditching my heels and strolling barefoot along the Esplanade after dinner seems like the natural thing to do. In fact, it’s this moment that I know my dreamy Cairns holiday is well underway.
This city in Tropical North Queensland (TNQ) is Australia’s fourth most popular destination for international tourists. But, it’s also a world away from the bustle of Sydney, Melbourne and even Brisbane, around 1,700 kilometres to the south.
Cairns is close to so many wonderful beaches and walks, it’s tough deciding where to head first.
A great place to get a bird’s-eye view is from atop the Cairns Ferris Wheel, which is located on the vibrant Esplanade. It has breathtaking 360-degree views over the city, the Coral Sea and the lush mountains beyond.
Rising 35 metres into the air, it’s a must-do for visitors wanting a new perspective on Tropical North Queensland’s stunning scenery. By day, you can spot boats heading out to the Great Barrier Reef, and by night, the wheel lights up in a dazzling display that adds to the lively waterfront atmosphere.
Exploring Fitzroy Island
When in Cairns, you are not short on island adventures nearby. Just a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns, Fitzroy Island is a tropical paradise where rainforest meets reef.
Fringed by coral gardens and surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, it’s a haven for snorkelling, kayaking and paddle-boarding.
The island’s sheltered beaches – particularly Nudey Beach – are often voted one of Australia’s best, and they are perfect for swimming and relaxing.
Inland, walking trails wind through lush rainforest to lookouts with panoramic ocean views. Fitzroy Island is also home to the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, where visitors can learn about vital conservation efforts. Whether you’re staying overnight at the island resort or visiting for a day trip, Fitzroy Island offers the quintessential Tropical North Queensland experience — wild, beautiful, and wonderfully laid-back.
Just a 20-minute drive north of Cairns, Trinity Beach is a relaxed seaside gem loved by locals and visitors alike. Framed by palm trees and backed by rainforest-covered hills, it offers a perfect mix of natural beauty and coastal charm. The crescent-shaped beach is patrolled year-round and has a safe, netted swimming area, making it ideal for families.
A scenic esplanade lined with cafés, restaurants and shaded picnic spots invites long, lazy days by the water. At sunrise or sunset, the beach transforms into a peaceful haven for walkers and photographers. Trinity Beach is the perfect base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the Atherton Tablelands — close to Cairns but far enough to feel blissfully removed.
Another must-do is Millaa Millaa Falls, located on the scenic Waterfall Circuit in the Atherton Tablelands. It is one of Queensland’s most photographed natural wonders, cascading 18 metres into a pristine rainforest pool. The falls are framed by lush ferns and towering rainforest trees, creating a picture-perfect tropical setting. The crystal-clear water is ideal for a refreshing swim, and the grassy picnic area nearby makes it a favourite stop for travellers exploring the region. Easily accessible from Cairns on a day trip, Millaa Millaa Falls captures the essence of Tropical North Queensland — tranquil, timeless and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.
Exploring Cairns and surrounds
One of the main reasons that tourists and visitors love Cairns is that even a short stroll from the centre of the city will have you in the great outdoors. While Cairns proper doesn’t have a beach, it has a 4,800 square-metre saltwater lagoon pool that’s ideal for family outings. With Coral Sea views, it’s part of the enormous Esplanade waterside precinct that will keep the kids busy for hours on end. There’s also a skate park, volleyball courts, weekend markets and loads of cafes and restaurants.
Even Cairn’s famous Esplanade Walk is picture-perfect. Wander along the full length of the Esplanade (around 5km return) and breathe in the fresh salty sea air. It is fully wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets located in five different locations along the walk. The Promenade gives easy access to the CBD, the Lagoon, restaurants and shops.
Indigenous Tropical North Queensland
The Yirrganydji and Gimuy Yidinji people are the traditional owners of Cairns, and many more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have a connection to the Great Barrier Reef.
I joined a cruise expedition with Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel for a tour of the world’s largest coral reef system through Indigenous eyes. The company’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rangers tell us 60,000-year-old Dreamtime stories about the reef’s creation, before we slip into the water to snorkel among the 1500 species of fish that call the Coral Sea home. Drifting between bommies and coral fans, I spot cardinalfish, moray eels, clownfish and turtles. The boat’s marine biologist tells me the reef is home to six out of seven of the world’s turtle species.
Exploring The Wet Tropics
Back on dry land, the Indigenous songlines surrounding Cairns are just as strong. West of the city, rainforest-draped mountains are home to the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. I go over the Great Dividing Range on the former, and come back to the coast on the latter.
Constructed in the late 1800s, the railway is still considered one of Australia’s greatest engineering feats. On my journey, I glimpse orchids, palms and strangler figs, not to mention the incredible fauna. One staff member tells me to keep an eye out for the country’s second-largest bird, the southern cassowary. As few as 2000 of them remain in the wild. On the return journey, waterfalls cut beneath me through a dense matting of the world’s oldest rainforest, casting a prehistoric shadow over the countryside.
Want to explore more of Tropical North Queensland? Read about the best things to see and do in the Daintree Rainforest or discover why we fell in love with Townsville on the Coral Coast.
Travel to Cairns
You can travel to Cairns with Rex Airlines. Book your flight here and check out the route map below for more details.
