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Cairns, a city from another world. At least that’s how it feels when you step off the plane after a long-haul flight from Germany to Australia. Many travelers use Cairns only as a stopover during a road trip through the red continent. The city is not exactly one of the country’s main attractions. But why is that? With our Cairns tips, you can discover the city’s very own charm.
8 Tips for Cairns for a Great Stay
During my Australia trip, I actually only spent a few days in Cairns out of necessity. From Cairns, the journey was supposed to continue to New Zealand. To start this onward journey in a relaxed way, I found myself on a campsite in Cairns a few days before departure. And that was by no means a mistake!
I’ll tell you what you can experience in Cairns.
1. Esplanade Market
A relaxed stroll is absolutely possible at the Esplanade Market. This market takes place every Saturday and invites you to browse. You’ll find many small stalls and pavilions with traditional and modern art as well as handmade souvenirs. If you haven’t yet found a gift for your loved ones back home, you’ll almost certainly find something here. While wandering across the market, your gaze naturally drifts toward the open sea. It really couldn’t be any more beautiful!
By the way, there’s always live music on Saturdays and Sundays. The artists vary each time. Plan a bit more time for your visit to the Esplanade Market so you can also relax on a bench and listen to the music.
The Esplanade stretches a total of 2.5 kilometers. However, the small stalls are only set up along a short part of it. Still, it’s lovely to walk the entire way. The path leads directly along the water.
2. The Swimming Lagoon
If you’re already nearby, you can of course go for a swim right in the Swimming Lagoon. It is located directly next to the Esplanade Market. The great thing about this lagoon is that you don’t have to pay any admission. There are also restrooms and showers available. The pool is quite large and there are plenty of sunbathing areas next to it. You can easily spend an entire day here swimming and relaxing.
If you’re wondering why there is an artificial swimming lagoon, you should know that the ocean in Cairns isn’t exactly safe. Depending on the season, there can be jellyfish and saltwater crocodiles. To ensure that residents and tourists can still swim and cool off on hot days, this pool was built. By the way, the water in the lagoon is filtered seawater. That really brings on the vacation vibes.
3. Trips to the Coral Reef
If you don’t want to admire the ocean in Cairns only from a distance, you can join one of the many trips out to the coral reef. The Great Barrier Reef is not far away and is definitely one of the top Cairns tips. By boat, the Great Barrier Reef can be reached in no time.
Did you know that the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef on earth? That’s why it was declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site back in 1981 and must be protected at all costs. You should keep this in mind when going on a reef excursion. Different tours are offered, allowing you to go snorkeling and diving. If you choose to do so, always keep your distance from the fragile corals.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take any underwater photos during my trip to the Great Barrier Reef, but the images will never leave my mind. So many colorful fish species and beautiful coral formations. If you haven’t experienced this yet, I can only recommend taking such a trip. You will never forget this experience!
Cairns is the ideal starting point for a trip out to sea. Most tours are offered here by various operators. You will surely find a tour that matches what you’re looking for.
4. Shopping in Cairns
Cairns is perfect for shopping. If you still need souvenirs from your vacation before heading home, stop by Pier Point Road. There are shops and great restaurants here.
If you need a few more clothes or souvenirs, the large shopping center named Cairns Central Shopping Centre is also a great place to go. There is a bus stop right in front of the large building, making it easy to get there. The bus stop is called “Cairns Central Shopping Centre (Spence St)”. In addition to many shops, there is also a large food court with well-known restaurant chains.
5. Day Trips Around Cairns
The surroundings of Cairns also have a lot to offer, such as Cape Tribulation or Port Douglas. You should definitely plan a day trip to the following sights. If you are traveling with a rental car or campervan, reaching these places should not be a problem. If that is not the case, there are alternative transport options for some of the destinations.
6. Discover Rainforest and Traditions in Kuranda
Kuranda is a tourist town in the rainforest. By car, you can reach Kuranda from the city in about 40 minutes, which is why it counts as one of the top Cairns tips. Without a car, you can visit the town with the Skyrail, for example. The gondola starts from the following address: 6 Skyrail Dr, Smithfield QLD 4878, Australia. Here you can find tickets for a trip to Kuranda.
The gondola travels 7.5 kilometers through the Australian rainforest just above the treetops. The entire ride takes around 1.5 hours. Besides visiting the town of Kuranda, this is already a fantastic experience in itself. If you are not completely comfortable with heights, you can also take the Scenic Railway. This is a train that reaches Kuranda in one hour and 45 minutes. By the way, the route through the rainforest has been the same since 1891.
Once in Kuranda, you will find many souvenir stalls and a covered market. You can buy lots of handmade and traditional items here. However, the highlight in Kuranda is the Barron Falls. Signs will guide you to these breathtaking waterfalls. Depending on the season, the waterfalls carry more or less water. But a visit is worthwhile at any time.
7. The Henry Ross Lookout
If you have a car, you can also take a short trip to the Henry Ross Lookout. It is located on the way to Kuranda. It is best to visit the viewpoint on the way back, as it is on the left side on a downhill stretch. Australia has left-hand traffic, so you can easily pull over at the lookout.
From the viewpoint, you have a wonderful wide view over the surroundings, Cairns, and the sea. It is the perfect location for a few souvenir photos.
8. A Great Beach in Mission Beach
Do you still feel like spending time on a beautiful sandy beach? Then head to Mission Beach. By car, it takes almost two hours until you reach the town with its gorgeous beach. Without a car, you can take a Greyhound bus from Cairns to Mission Beach. You can look forward to a long beach with lots of palm trees at its beginning. It looks like paradise here.
Cairns: Tours and Tickets
Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Cairns in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Cairns.
Have you been to Cairns? Do you have any other tips for Cairns? We look forward to your comments.
Photos: Photo 1 (Swimming Lagoon): Martin Valigursky/shutterstock.com – Photo 2 (Great Barrier Reef): I Shafiq/shutterstock.com – Photo 3 (Cairns Central Shopping Centre): RUBEN M RAMOS/shutterstock.com – Photo 6 and Header (Mission Beach): F Photography R/shutterstock.com
