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Top sights & highlights in Cairns
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Cairns - Tropical oasis and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef
You can explore it on snorkelling and diving excursions, while a few hours north of the city, you can dive deep into the rainforest in the Daintree National Park. Mountains meet the sea. Once you’ve soaked up the marvellous underwater world one day, you can drive up into the hills of the Atherton Tablelands the next. The spectacular Barron Falls and Kuranda’s charming, touristy village await you there. As you can see, this region has a lot to discover.
The most popular time to visit is the dry season, from May to September. This is when it is dry and pleasantly warm in tropical Cairns. In the wet season, on the other hand, humid weather is inevitable. It rains mainly from December to March, mostly in the late afternoon and evening. Cyclones can sweep over the city, and the streets can become flooded.
On the other hand, the waterfalls in the region are then at their most beautiful, and the surrounding countryside is as lush and green as ever. The rainy season is also ‘stinger season’. This means that poisonous jellyfish near the coast are prohibited from swimming on the beaches. However, trips to the more distant Great Barrier Reef can be made with a clear conscience.
What is a reef?
How long is the Great Barrier Reef?
Where is the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef begins off the coast of the northernmost point in Australia – Cape York on the Torres Strait – and ends around 75 kilometres northeast of the city of Bundaberg at Lady Elliot Island.
Where are the most beautiful reefs around Cairns?
The massive Great Barrier Reef is divided into the ‘Inner Reef’ and the ‘Outer Reef’ in the Cairns region.
As the names suggest, the Outer Reef is the furthest from the mainland. Behind the Outer Reef is the edge of Australia’s landmass. This drops steeply into the depths of the sea. Then, the Coral Sea begins. This makes the Outer Reef the most popular destination for day trips from Cairns, as the further out the reef is, the further away it is from the city’s influences. This means the reef is at its healthiest and the underwater visibility at its most evident. Off the coast of Cairns, the ‘Outer Reef’ is also home to the most diverse marine fauna.
The reefs within the Outer Reef and those closest to the mainland, such as Michaelmas Cay, Upolu Cay or Green Island Lowe Isles, are known as the Inner Reef. These are the quickest to reach from Cairns and are particularly recommended for inexperienced snorkellers or people who want to dive for the first time. Visibility is lower there than on the Outer Reef, but you can also encounter turtles, reef sharks and large fish – such as the Maori Wrasse – on the Inner Reef.
The Ribbon Reef begins north of Cairns and stretches to Lizard Island in the far North. The chain of 10 individual reefs is located far off Northcoast and is considered the ‘icing on the cake’ of the northern Great Barrier Reef. The ‘Ribbon Reef’ is the most unspoilt and beautiful and can only be reached on multi-day tours, so-called ‘liveaboard tours’.
Which tour is the best?
This question is difficult to answer with countless tour providers and very individual requirements. Your personal experience and wishes also play a role in the selection process. For example, some tours are suitable for absolute snorkelling and diving beginners, as well as tours aimed more at experienced divers with a diving license. When planning your trip, you should also consider your available time. There are both day trips and several days with an overnight stay on the Great Barrier Reef.
The tours also differ in group size, type of boat (e.g., speedboat, catamaran, or sailing boat), the reefs visited, and the price. When choosing a tour, I advise you to listen to your gut feeling and select the tour that appeals most to you.
In addition to the snorkelling tour, most providers also offer scuba diving (diving with an oxygen tank – sometimes included in the price and sometimes at an extra charge). This is an exceptional experience that I can highly recommend if you have never done scuba diving before.
I hope you have a fantastic trip to the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. One thing is sure: snorkelling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef is a must-do on your trip to Australia.
Cairns Esplanade
Like many Australian cities, an esplanade in Cairns also invites you to take a relaxing stroll by the sea. Whether during the day or in the evening, you can stroll along the beautiful promenade and watch the ocean while the wind gently caresses your face. A trip to the Esplanade is a great way to fill the time between excursions and experience the flair of Cairns City. Another great place on the Esplanade is the Lagoon free open-air swimming pool. You can take a refreshing dip with a sea view or enjoy the moment on the lush green lawn.
There is also free outdoor fitness equipment and BBQs on the Esplanade. If you are taking a tour from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef, you can combine the walk along the Esplanade with it. You can reach Marlin Marina from the Esplanade in no time, where most ships set sail for the Great Barrier Reef.
Barron Falls
You will find this great attraction near Cairns: hugged by 125-metre-high rock faces, Barron Falls make their way down the wet and cold rocks into the gorge. Depending on the time of year (rainy or dry season), the waterfall carries more or less water. Tucked away in the hills around Cairns – the Atherton Tablelands – these waterfalls are worth a visit. A short walk from the car park takes you to lookouts, where you can marvel at the waterfalls in all their glory. A beautiful highlight!
Kuranda
Just a short drive from Barron Falls, you’ll find another adventure! There is a small, very touristy town in the middle of the North Australian rainforest: Kuranda. There, you can strollNortheen the colourful houses, take a break in one of the many restaurants or experience the creativity of the locals at the ‘Kuranda Original Rainforest Market‘ (open seven days a week from 9:30 am – 3 pm). Another – trendy – way to get to Barron Falls and Kuranda (especially if you don’t have your vehicle) is the Kuranda Scenic Railway. The railway winds through the jade-green rainforest and takes you safely from the valley to the attractions high in the mountains.
On the way back, you can take the Skyrail, another well-known and popular cable car, which will take you back down to the valley above the rooftops of the rainforest, offering fabulous views of Cairns and the surrounding tropical countryside. If you don’t want to take your car or don’t have your vehicle, this bus also runs from Cairns to Kuranda. The small tourist town of Kuranda is undoubtedly a matter of taste, but it offers an excellent opportunity for a beautiful day trip to the Cairns rainforest.
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