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With so many things to see and do around Cairns it can be hard to know where to begin. But don’t stress - we’ve got you covered!
Here’s our Aussie House Sitters guide to the best things to do and places to explore in tropical Far North Queensland.
An easy 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns will get you Fitzroy Island, an accessible day-tripwith everything you’d expect from a tropical Far North Queensland island. The rainforest-covered hills are threaded with hiking trails, including the picturesque Secret Garden track. You’ve got snorkelling and diving, a turtle rehabilitation centre, glass bottom boat tours and the popular Foxy’s Bar, a large Pacific Islands bar situated right on the beach front. It’s the perfect place for sunset drinks overlooking Welcome Bay.
Our top pick is the famous Nudey Beach. Immaculate white sand and warm, crystal-clear aqua waters are backed by large granite boulders and lush rainforest vegetation. On top of that, you can snorkel straight off the shore and view the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef below.
The best way to visit Kuranda is by combining the Kuranda Scenic Railway journey and returning via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. This trip is a brilliant way to experience the world’s oldest rainforest so close to Cairns. The historic rail journey in fully refurbished vintage carriages runs from Cairns, over the Great Dividing Range, arriving in Kuranda on the Atherton Tableland. Rising from sea level to 328 metres, the journey to Kuranda passes spectacular waterfalls and into the stunning Barron Gorge.
Making your way around colourful village of Kuranda is easy with loads of attractions packed into the small, eclectic village including the famous Kuranda Markets, village shopping, rainforest walks and tours. The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary boasts the largest butterfly aviary and exhibit in Australia with over 1,500 butterflies & interactive guided tours.
Located next door, Birdworld Kuranda is home to 350 colourful birds in a rainforest habitat including one of the most iconic residents, the endangered Southern Cassowary.
This world-renowned Skyrail Rainforest Cableway spans 7.5 kilometres over World Heritage listed Wet Tropics Rainforest. Returning to Cairns via the cable cars is an unforgettable way to view the beauty of the world’s oldest rainforest ecosystem in the Barron Gorge National Park.
Beach-hopping is one of the best free things to do in Cairns. While the clearest water and best beaches are out on the islands, Cairns still boasts some Instagram worthy beaches worth visiting.
Palm Cove Is a picture perfect tiny enclave of fine-dining restaurants beside a beautiful palm-fringed beach. The Palm Cove jetty is a great fishing spot, with plenty of Spanish Mackerel, Cod, Whiting and Flathead on offer. Trinity beach is a favourite local hangout where coconut trees provide a shady place to snooze on the sand between swims. Or, if woodfired pizzas and live music underneath strings of fairy lights sounds like your thing, then Kewarra Beach should be on your ‘to do’ list. The Beach Shack operates each Friday and Sunday from May to December and makes an idyllic spot to watch the day fade into night.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living organism and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tropical coral reef spans nearly 350,000 square kilometres of the Queensland coast and is an incredible wildlife park home to abundant marine life. There are dozens of Great Barrier Reef tours running from the Cairns reef terminal daily.
The rainforest covered mountain ranges behind Cairns are the high and flat regions known as the Atherton Tablelands. Rising more than 700m above sea level, these tablelands are a natural wonderland filled with waterfalls and swimming holes, crater lakes and pristine flowing streams. For visitors, exploring the region’s epic Waterfall Circuit is the perfect way to take in these photogenic waterfalls and enjoy a refreshing swim or even a few mist-fuelled rainbows on a cruisy day-trip around.
If you’re planning a trip to the Tablelands, be sure to include Crater Lakes National Park.
Our top pick is Lake Eacham, a serene lake surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, known as Yidyam to the local Ngadjon-Jii people.
Isolated from any other waterways, the blue-green lake is filled solely by rain, making it crystal clear and good enough to snorkel and dive in.Take a refreshing dip then relax on the viewing decks or stroll around the 3km track encircling the crater lake for forest-fringed lake views.
The remote headland of Cape Tribulation is where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites meet – the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Renowned for its scenic landscape and remote beaches, Cape Tribulation is truly the spot where the rainforest meets the reef. Walking onto a tropical beach straight from the rainforest is an amazing experience, and the diverse natural beauty, unique flora and fauna, and amazing ancient Indigenous culture of Cape Tribulation make this a must-visit location near Cairns.
From traditional galleries showcasing classic and contemporary works to ancient carvings housed in nature, Cairns is a treasure trove for Indigenous art fans. Wander the streets and laneways of Cairns and you'll discover independent art galleries showcasing unique, thought-provoking works, as well as opportunities to take home the pieces you love.
Listen to tales of the Dreamtime while you create Aboriginal-inspired artworks at Janbal Gallery. Located in the scenic town of Mossman in the Daintree Rainforest, this Aboriginal-owned gallery is filled to the brim with hand-made artefacts created by local artists.
Our top pick, the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. Held each year in July, the CIAF focuses on offering an ethical art market place and providing pathways for emerging Indigenous visual and performance artists.
Far North Queensland is home to the world’s largest and most dangerous reptile, the saltwater crocodile. While you may have a hard time spotting a salty on your own, trust us when we say they are there! If you want to experience them in the wild, a croc tour is the way to go. Boats depart daily right next to the Daintree River ferry, so pack a picnic and make a day of it.
The Daintree Rainforest is a popular day trip destination from Cairns. The wild, ancient landscape covering 1200sq km between Mossman Gorge and Bloomfield River is one of the most complex ecosystems on earth. Walk through the forest on hiking trails and wooden boardwalks, cool off with a dip in the Emmagen Creek swimming hole or take a cruise along the river for an immersive experience with the flora and fauna in this World Heritage protected region.
Feel like you’re ready to go? Check out our current Cairns House Sits here.
We have now been enjoying membership at Aussie Housesitters for six years and have had some amazing times sitting around Australia. We spend on average 22-24 weeks housesitting each year and have built up some wonderful relationships with the people we sit for. We now have seven regular clients in Noosa who book us a year in advance and their dogs never forget us. It is a joy to be greeted by pets who remember us and are thrilled that we have returned each time we go back to their homes. Thankyou team at AussieHousesitters. You run a great business and maintain a reliable and consistent database that’s user-friendly and always reliable. You’ve helped to make our retirement a happy and successful one. Anne & Craig
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