Cairns & The Great Barrier Reef

Cairns is the heart of Australia’s tropics and the Great Barrier Reef region. Change your latitude to this tropical escape and you will discover a combination of some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery with a diverse range of activities.

The region’s environment is a unique as it is diverse - the reef, rainforest and outback. Nowhere else on earth do two World Heritage listed sites sit side by side - the Great Barrier Reef and Australia’s Tropical Rainforests. These areas are renowned for their scientific value and natural beauty.

Things to See and Do

The Great Barrier Reef and Islands
This is the ultimate diving destination even for the novice, as some of the world’s best diver training facilities found in Cairns and Port Douglas include courses from beginner to open water, advanced and specialist diving accreditation.

Diving is not the only way to experience this tropical underwater land. Snorkel or upgrade to a motorized snorkelling scotter to navigate the coral gardens choose platform walking with your very own diving helmet, or stay dry in a glass-bottomed boat.

Enjoy an array of exciting water sports or nature walks at Fitzroy, Green, Bedarra, Dunk, Lizard, Double, Hinchinbrook, Orpheus, Franklin and Poruma Island, one of the islands in the Torres Strait.

Cape York
The Cape York Peninsula begins north of Cairns and extends almost 1000kms to the geographical tip of Australia in the north and covers some of the most spectacular and rugged scenery in the country. Cape York is an under-explored paradise with thousands of species of tropical birds, flora, fauna, beautiful water falls and basking crocodiles

Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation
North of Port Douglas is Cape Tribulation, the Mossman Gorge and World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest. Cape Tribulation spoils the visitor with pristine white sand beaches unspoilt rainforests, picnic areas, rainforest walks, 4WD safaris, reef trips, mangrove and crocodile watching tours, ocean kayaking and horse trekking.

The Daintree Rainforest is the oldest surviving tropical rainforests on earth, estimated at 135 million years, it is a site of exceptional beauty and scientific significance as the region contains the most species of plants and animals in Australia. The Daintree Rainforest contains 30% of frog, marsupial and reptile species in Australia, and 65% of Australia's bat and butterfly species. 20% of bird species in the country can be found in this area. And it all lives in an area that takes up 0.2% of the landmass of Australia. Immerse yourself in the living museum that is Australia’s Tropical Rainforests.

Cairns
Cairns the heart of this tropical destination is a modern sophisticated city with boutique shops, exciting night life and soak up the atmosphere of al fresco dining in the tropics.

The Cairns Esplanade is the perfect spot to immerse in the tropical lifestyle. The Esplanade is lined with restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes and galleries and a variety of accommodation options taking advantage of the sweeping views across Trinity Inlet.

The Cairns Seaport is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and facilitates departure for the 2000 passengers travelling to the Great Barrier Reef and Islands each day and 185 international and domestic cruise ship movements each year.

Cairns Beaches
Palm Cove combines the charm of a seaside village with resort-style luxury and multi-award winning spas. Palm Cove and other northern beaches are popular for their laid-back feel and range of apartment, luxury and guest house-style accommodation, all within a short drive from the international airport. These quiet picturesque getaways are popular for family holidays and give visitors the opportunity to mingle with the locals.

Port Douglas
Travelling north of Cairns on a beautiful scenic drive there is the resort town of Port Douglas. Rainforest on one side and the ocean of the other, this journey provides many opportunities to pull over and stroll along a deserted beach or sit under a shady tree and watch the waves roll ashore from the sparkling blue ocean. Once there, Port Douglas spoils the traveller with a selection of accommodation from 5-star to budget, art galleries, Sunday markets and award-winning dining experiences.

Indigenous Sights and Culture
This region offers many Indigenous experiences. Discover Aboriginal ancestral paintings modern artworks, ochre body painting, authentic artefacts, indigenous knowledge of bush tucker and medicines, customs and festivals of the Aboriginal, Thursday Islander and Torres Strait Islanders.

Kuranda Village
This quaint village situated in the rainforest at the top of the Great Dividing Range is popular for street markets, cultural theatres and nature displays. Kuranda also gives visitor access to the Barron Gorge and tours by the local aboriginal tribe who share their tropical rainforest region and its cultural heritage.

Change your travel latitude and leave the car in Cairns because you can choose to visit Kuranda via the Kuranda Scenic Railway and return on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, an educational rainforest experience with a view.

Must See and Do:

  • The Great Barrier Reef
  • Tropical Islands
  • Markets in Kuranda, Cairns, Port Douglas and Cairns highlands
  • Tropical Tablelands
  • Hot Air Ballooning
  • North Queensland Coffee plantations
  • White Water Rafting on the Tully River
  • Horse Riding
  • Cooktown
  • Cape Tribulation
  • The Daintree River and World Heritage Daintree rainforest
  • Barren and Mossman Gorges
  • Indigenous cultural sites
  • Cape York Peninsula and Gulf Savannah
  • Riversleigh Fossil Fields

For more information go to: Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef .