Top Things To Do in Cairns Rankings
The best attractions, experiences, and things to do in Cairns and Tropical North Queensland.
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Great Barrier Reef snorkelling — the world's largest coral reef system, snorkel from a day boat—
Great Barrier Reef scuba diving — certified divers can explore the outer reef in extraordinary detail—
Outer Reef liveaboard diving — spend three days on a liveaboard for the ultimate reef experience—
Daintree Rainforest — the world's oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforest, 135 million years old—
Cape Tribulation — where the rainforest meets the reef, the most extraordinary natural junction—
Mossman Gorge — the crystal-clear gorge in the Daintree, guided by the Kuku Yalanji people—
Kuranda Rainforest Village — reach by Skyrail gondola or the heritage Kuranda Scenic Railway—
Kuranda Scenic Railway — one of the great heritage train journeys, through tropical rainforest—
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway — gondola over the rainforest canopy, extraordinary views—
Cairns Esplanade & Lagoon — the free saltwater lagoon, perfect for swimming without jellyfish—
Cairns Aquarium — the finest aquarium in tropical Australia, reef fish and crocodiles—
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures — see massive saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitat—
Cairns Botanic Gardens — free and beautiful, tropical plants of extraordinary diversity—
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park — the story of the Djabugay people, dance and didgeridoo—
Paronella Park — the remarkable ruined Spanish castle in the rainforest, built in the 1930s—
Atherton Tablelands — volcanic crater lakes, coffee and avocado farms above the rainforest—
Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine — volcanic crater lakes for swimming in the tablelands—
Millaa Millaa Falls — the most beautiful waterfall in Queensland, on the tablelands—
Babinda Boulders — the sacred swimming hole in giant granite boulders, one hour south—
Green Island — the coral cay island resort 45 minutes from Cairns by high-speed ferry—
Fitzroy Island — the granite island with snorkelling straight off the beach—
Palm Cove — the most beautiful beach village north of Cairns, four-star resort strip—
Port Douglas — the chic alternative to Cairns, four-mile beach and fine restaurants—
Quicksilver Reef Pontoon from Port Douglas — the premier reef experience boat—
Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole — the legendary dive sites north of Cairns—
Osprey Reef — the remote offshore atoll, hammerhead sharks and extraordinary visibility—
Hot air balloon over the Atherton Tablelands — sunrise balloon flight above the plateau—
Bungee jumping at A.J. Hackett Cairns — the original commercial bungee in Australia—
Whitewater rafting on the Tully River — the best grade 4 rafting in Australia—
Zip-lining in the Daintree — fly through the ancient rainforest canopy—
Sea kayaking at Palm Cove or Green Island — calm tropical waters perfect for paddling—
Night dive on the Great Barrier Reef — an entirely different and extraordinary experience—
Introductory dive for non-certified divers — experience the reef without a certification—
Reef teach — the evening presentation about Great Barrier Reef ecology, excellent—
Crocodile spotting by boat in the Daintree River — wild saltwater crocodiles in their habitat—
Cassowary spotting in the Daintree — the endangered flightless bird of the rainforest—
Birdwatching at Centenary Lakes — paradise kingfishers, azure kingfishers and brolgas—
Night walk in the Daintree — tree kangaroos, green tree frogs and luminescent fungi—
Seafood at Ochre Restaurant — native Australian ingredients and tropical seafood—
Cairns Night Markets — Asian street food and tropical fruit at the Esplanade markets—
Muddy's Playground and Cairns Foreshore — the best free family entertainment—
Mount Whitfield Conservation Park — rainforest hiking above the city—
Stoney Creek Falls — the 30-minute walk from the highway to a waterfall and swimming hole—
Josephine Falls — the magical natural waterslide into a rainforest pool—
Mission Beach — the closest point on the mainland to the reef, cassowaries and beaches—
Tully — the wettest town in Australia, yellow gumboot monument and whitewater rafting—
Cooktown day trip — the most remote town accessible by sealed road, Cook's landing site—
Cape York Peninsula — the most remote wilderness in Australia, 4WD only—
Torres Strait Islands — the most remote communities in Australia, indigenous culture—
Wet season (November to April) — the most dramatic skies, waterfalls and tropical storms—