Cairns

Gateway To The Reef

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Iconic cruises and water-based activities across the country

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About Cairns

Gateway to the iconic Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest, Cairns is the crown jewel of Queensland and is one of the go-to holiday destinations for Australians. Mountains, beaches, tidal wetlands, lakes, mangroves, estuaries and coastal plains are all part of Cairns’ unique topography.

Cairns was once a lush rainforest primarily inhabited by the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people. Gimuy was, and still is, the Aboriginal name for the city. Delve deep into the city and its roots and you will still find them inhabiting areas around Cairns and Yarrabah. From a sleepy little town, Cairns has evolved into a tropical playground with an infectious holiday energy.

With access to the most exclusive Great Barrier Reef sites, Cairns cruises are your ticket to the most incredible sightseeing, snorkelling and diving experiences. On these popular cruises, you can enjoy close-up encounters with the abundant marine life and coral gardens that earned the ‘best vacation spot’ status of this region. Also, don’t miss the Cairns boat trips to the exciting Green Island and Fitzroy Island, two stunning islands famous for its stunning beaches and unique snorkelling opportunities.

Ride on a 7.5km-long Skyrail Rainforest Cableway running above the Barron Gorge National Park, journey into the Kuranda Village in the Wet Tropics on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, sunbathe at the man-made Esplanade Lagoon or join a cruise from Cairns for a thrilling snorkel session. Spend days, or even months exploring this tropical oasis!

Cairns Cruise Experiences

Snorkel and Dive Tours

9 Cruises

From $110

Adventure

6 Cruises

From $85

Green Island Cruises

4 Cruises

From $110

Fitzroy Island Cruises

3 Cruises

From $145

Sightseeing Cruises

9 Cruises

From $55

Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruises

15 Cruises

From $110

Cruise Combos

6 Cruises

From $350

Featured Cruises

30 Cruises

4Hr Afternoon Big Cat Green Island & Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Reef Rocket cruise to Green Island. Enjoy pristine white beaches & guided a rainforest boardwalk. Free glass-bottom boat tour to discover coral gardens.

Duration 4hr

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From $110

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8Hr Reef Magic Outer Barrier Reef Cruise

Cruise to an exclusive activity pontoon on Moore Reef! Enjoy snorkelling, semi-submersible, glass-bottom boat tours, lunch, beverages and more.

Duration 8hr

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From $330

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4Hr Morning Big Cat Green Island Cruise & Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Perfect for those with limited time – half day tour of Green Island from Cairns including glass-bottom boat tour, boardwalks, reef presentations etc.

Duration 4hr

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From $120

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Know Before You Go

Best Time To Visit

One of the major highlights of Cairns is its weather…it’s warm all year round and there are many advantages to visiting any time of the year. The weather in Cairns is unlike Australia’s southern regions. It’s generally warm and dry in between May and October and it can be a little hotter in this topical paradise and with more rainfall between November and April – perfect weather from swimming, waterfall hopping and visiting the rainforest!

Regardless of when you visit Cairns there’s always a huge array of activities to entertain you, from white water rafting to skydiving and exploring the wet tropical regions to sunset cruises and snorkelling on the stunning Great Barrier Reef! Cairns is a destination that is just brimming with things to do and is set in the most beautiful natural destination!

Public Holidays

Wednesday, 1 January: New Year's Day
Monday, 27 January: Australia Day holiday
Friday, 18 April: Good Friday
Saturday, 19 April: Day following Good Friday
Sunday, 20 April: Easter Sunday
Monday, 21 April: Easter Monday
Friday, 25 April: Anzac Day
Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Friday, 26 December: Boxing Day

Other public holidays declared by the state and territory governments:
Monday, 5 May: Labour Day
Monday, 6 October: King's Birthday

Events & Festivals

Crankworx Cairns (May)
Crankworx is a mountain biking festival showcasing top elite races, amateur and CWNEXT next generation events, as well as engaging Kidsworx activities. The festival also features a lively expo and a vibrant atmosphere, bringing together mountain biking enthusiasts and action sports fans to revel in the best of Australian hospitality.

Cairns Children's Festival (May)
Exclusive for children under the age of 12, the Cairns Children’s Festival shines the spotlight on the creativity of the younger ones, with a safe and engaging environment for families to explore. The festival invites local creatives to design installations and activities as well as plenty of opportunities for children to be part of the festival.

Cairns Show (July)
The annual Cairns show is the one that unites the city to the state – except family entertainment, competition entries, educational displays, awesome food stalls, thrilling rides, animals of all sizes, local business exhibits and more.

School Holidays

TERM 1 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2025
Queensland: 7 April to 22 April

TERM 2 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2025
Queensland: 30 June to 14 July

TERM 3 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2025
Queensland: 22 September to 7 October

TERM 4 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2025- 2026
Queensland: 15 December 2025 to 27 January 2026

Accommodation

It is advisable to pre-book your hotel/ accommodation when visiting Cairns as it has a high tourist influx, throughout the year. All major hotels offer airport pick-up & drop off and parking facilities. Plan ahead and enjoy a great stay!

Dining

Cairns is known for its relaxed, laid-back lifestyle, exquisite food, and spectacular views, that’s exactly what you get when you dine out on one of their top restaurants.
Indulge in a variety of delectable dishes in this area, ranging from ocean-fresh seafood to locally procured meats infused with African flavours. Your culinary experience is bound to be exceptional, with an abundance of satisfying meals to choose from.

Transport

Cairns has transport options for all budgets and tastes including the many four-wheel drive tours and day tours that can pick you up and drop back off at the doorstep of your accommodation. Daily bus services are run by Sunbus and take you to most suburbs and beaches, with most routes beginning from the Cairns CBD. You can hail a taxi from the street or order an Uber online.

Cairns Tourist Information

Shopping & Market Hours

In Cairns, you'll discover a selection of fashion and retail shops typically associated with capital cities at “Cairns Central” in the heart of the CBD. The Cairns CBD is home to a range of retailers including local artists, bespoke fashion stores and shops with trinkets and local crafts.

Most shops are open every day of the week, generally between 8am to 5pm, with late night shopping until 9pm on Thursday evenings.

Cairns also has a prominent night market scene, which is active every day of the year from 4pm with entrances on both Abbott St or The Esplanade. The Cairns Night Markets are famous for cool eateries, local crafts, massages and sweet treats and they are a great location to shop for your souvenirs.

Medical Services

The emergency hotline for any assistance from Police, Fire and Ambulance is 000. For non-urgent medical help you can connect on: 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84). Cairns has hospitals namely Cairns Base Hospital, Cairns Private Hospital etc. for any medical service.

Blogs & Articles

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Reef-sponsible Adventures At The Great Barrier Reef

Absolutely, no doubt about it, the Great Barrier Reef is ethereal! This natural wonder is the ultimate crib for so many different marine species. Some of them are veritable reef celebrities – you can’t find them anywhere else on the map.

Posted on Sep 01, 2023