Cairns town itself is a quiet, made for tourist adventure town. You can relax at beaches close by, do all the adventures on the reef, or go to the rainforest part, so there are lots to do for everyone.
A wonderful town on the coast with so many different activities that shouldn't be missed. Whether a backpacker or luxe traveler, there is something for everyone. This was my favorite place along the coast to see the reef.
Located in Queensland, Cairns is known as the tourist capital of northern Australia, primarily due to its location near the Great Barrier Reef & the Wet Tropics rainforest. It is also a good starting point for a trip to the Outback & is a busy cruise port. Although many boat excursions for the adventurous are available here, we enjoyed exploring the city on foot. This is a tropical climate, so wear your sunscreen.
There is not much to see in Cairns by itself but what's great are all those activities which you can enjoy in here. Good to have car or people who are willing to rent the car with you.
I loved this city more than Sydney itself because it's less crowded and much more mellow. The beach waves are really calm here. It's a small town with some different restaurants; not a whole lot but at least diverse. Lots of tour companies in this area; all of them around the same price to take you to different areas of the Great Barrier Reef. I wished I had more time to explore!
if you're planning on diving or snorkelling the great barrier reef, cairns is the ideal base. not much going on in the city, but the beaches are lovely.
A nice tourist town, though December the beaches are full of jellyfish, so there is a nice lagoon in town to do your swimming. Decent night life. Marina gives you access to reef trips, and there are plenty of tours to the rainforest. Would recommend checking out other nearby beach towns too though, while you are in the area.
Nothing here but the great barrier reef, diving here is pricey. Well then everything here was pricey.
Cairns is really close to the equator so the weather is more tropical most of the year. When I visited, it was fall in Australia but the weather was balmy. People could be found at the pool. You can go scuba diving or snorkeling. Even locals visit Cairns for a holiday.
Quintessential beach town but you will love it. We were there in the middle of the Australian Summer so it was very humid - if the weather had been a little nicer it would have been absolutely wonderful but we had fun nonetheless. Lots of night bars around - also a nice casino next to our hotel.
But essentially this is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Once you visit the reefs here everything else you have seen or will see will never stand up to comparison. The ferry ride is not too long either - maybe an hour or so.
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