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Hayley on Holiday

22 Top Things To Do in Cairns

July 15, 2019 in Australia, Cairns, Queensland, Sponsored
Things to do in Cairns - visit the Cairns Lagoon

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here.

Here’s my ultimate guide, featuring the top things to do in Cairns, plus the best day trips and where to stay.

My hometown of Townsville has always had a competitive rivalry with Cairns. Located five hours drive apart (practically neighbours in Queensland terms), I’ve visited Cairns a few times over the years. Due to its year-round tropical climate and close proximity to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, Cairns definitely receives more visitors than Townsville. In fact, it’s the fourth most visited destination in Australia.

So it’s about time I shared the best things to do in Cairns! Lock in your accommodation, book the hire car and keep reading to discover the best Cairns activities and attractions.

Ove 20 things to do in Cairns, including the best day trips from Cairns and where to stay in Cairns.

Where to stay in Cairns

AccorHotels actually has several properties in Cairns. Firstly, there’s an ibis Styles. Ibis has always been a go-to hotel chain for me when I’m looking for budget-friendly hotels. But for a luxurious stay, check out the five-star Pullman Cairns International Hotel. Onsite you’ll find tropical pools (plural), a restaurant and bar, and a fitness centre. You may not want to leave the property to tick off this list of the best things to do in Cairns!

AccorHotels in Cairns, Australia

All the things to do in Cairns

1. Walk along the Esplanade and visit the Lagoon

Stretch your legs and go for a morning or evening walk along the Esplanade in Cairns. Then cool off in the Lagoon, which is a large saltwater swimming pool. It features ramp access, underwater seating and sand/timber decking surrounds. The Lagoon is one of the busiest attractions in Cairns, but it’s the safest place to swim year-round (summer = stinger season in the ocean).

Things to do in Cairns - visit the Cairns Lagoon

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2. Head to a swimming hole

There are two popular swimming holes near Cairns. Babinda Boulders (or Devil’s Pool) is a beautiful natural swimming pool surrounded by rainforest. There’s also a picnic area so you can relax and enjoy your visit. Crystal Cascades also has a BBQ and picnic area. Popular with locals, there’s a series of small waterfalls that flow into the large pool, which is surrounded by rainforest and large granite boulders.

3. Visit Tjapukai Cultural Park

Tjapukai Cultural Park says it’s the “original authentic Australian indigenous cultural experience.” The park features both day and night events, which include performances, dance, food and the arts. It’s a must visit Cairns attraction.

Tjapukai Cultural Park in Cairns, Australia

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4. Pop into Gallo Dairyland

Located on the Atherton Tablelands, Gallo Dairyland is for fellow cheese and chocolate lovers. There’s an onsite cafe, cheese tasting and an animal nursery that children will love.

5. Go chasing waterfalls

Cairns is a waterfall hotspot! Firstly, there’s Josephine Falls located at the bottom of Queensland’s highest mountain range. It’s known for its natural rockslide. Next is Kuranda’s Barron Falls, which is a tiered waterfall and Cairns landmark. A little further afield is Millaa Millaa Falls – a picturesque 18-metre waterfall with swimming hole.

Things to do in Cairns - Barron Falls near Cairns, Australia

Barron Falls

6. Have dinner at Bayleaf

Locals and visitors alike rave about the authentic dinner at Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant. I am a big fan of mie goreng, but apparently you can’t miss the satay here. Finish with dessert and a cup of coffee from the highlands in Bali.

7. Enjoy the sunset from Salt House

Salt House is a great spot for sunset drinks. It’s a restaurant, bar and pizzeria with panoramic ocean and mountain views. You can sip a cocktail on a daybed, listen to live music at the bar or enjoy a pizza. Perfection 👌.

Things to do in Cairns - sunset drinks at Salt House

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8. Head to Port Douglas

When in Cairns, definitely make the time to head north to Port Douglas. Only an hour’s drive away, Port Douglas is a total seaside town, with boutiques, luxurious resorts and lovely beaches. There are other beaches along the way worth a visit too, including Palm Cove, Trinity Beach and Ellis Beach.

9. Visit Rusty’s Market

Cairns has two popular markets: Rusty’s Market and a Night Market. Rusty’s is a farmers market that’s open Friday to Sunday every week. Local sources say it’s best to visit on Sunday near closing time, when prices are slashed.

Things to do in Cairns - visit Rusty's Market

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10. Have brunch at The Lillipad Cafe

The Lillipad Cafe is known for its delectable food and large portion sizes. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian dishes, and the brunch menu includes an array of international dishes. There’s shakshuka, a Turkish breakfast and huevos rancheros.

11. Experience the Great Barrier Reef

The main reason people visit Cairns is to see the Great Barrier Reef. You can do a day trip to Green Island, Fitzroy Island or to the outer reef. There are so many ways to see it, so take your pick!

Places to visit in Australia: Fitzroy Island near Cairns, Queensland

Fitzroy Island

12. Visit Mossman Gorge

Mossman Gorge is only 20 minutes from Cairns and is a part of the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. One of the best things to do in the gorge is the Dreamtime Walk with a local indigenous guide.

13. Go white water rafting

There are two places to go white water rafting near Cairns: Tully River and Barron River. Tully River is definitely the more popular option, but Barron River is closer.

Things to do in Cairns - go white water rafting on the Tully River

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14. Enjoy dinner at Cock & Bull

Another place known for its generous portion sizes is Cock & Bull. Check it out for hearty pub grub, like bangers and mash, roast and curry.

15. Smile like a crocodile at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is a wildlife park between Cairns and Port Douglas. There’s a lagoon for crocodile feeding, a cassowary walk, a wildlife discovery trail and a crocodile farm. If you want to get up close to crocodiles and other wildlife, this is the place to go.

Things to do in Cairns - visit Hartleys Crocodile Adventures

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16. Have a fun night out

When I was in uni, my friends and I went on a road trip to Cairns for a friend’s 21st. We stayed at Gilligan’s and had a very fun night out, as there’s a nightclub onsite. These days, there are plenty of cool bars to check out around the city centre. There’s Flamingo Tiki Bar and Three Wolves, which offers a selection of specialty whiskeys, spirits, cocktails, wine and beer. The Conservatory Bar, where you can create your own grazing boards, is naturally popular with locals. Finally, Lilo has a restaurant, bar and rooftop pool deck with impressive views.

17. Hop in a hot air balloon

Another popular thing to do in Cairns is a hot air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands.

Things to do in Cairns - hot air balloon ride over Atherton Tablelands

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18. Stop for a coffee

Cairns has excellent restaurants, bars and cafes. Don’t miss having a coffee break at Blackbird Espresso, which stocks its own organic Blackbird coffee blends. Other popular coffee spots include Industry One Coffee Roasters and Paradiso Cafe (known for its fun palm print coffee cups).

19. Get an adrenaline rush

Adrenaline junkies will feel right at home in Cairns – it’s an adventurer’s playground! Firstly, AJ Hackett Cairns offers the world’s first BMX Bungy. Yep, you ride a BMX bike off the platform’s roof. You can also skydive over the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns or land on the golden sands of Mission Beach. The choice is yours. Finally, why not try ziplining through the Daintree Rainforest?

Things to do in Cairns - skydive over the Great Barrier Reef

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20. Walk through Cairns Botanic Gardens

Cairns Botanical Gardens has one of the best tropical plants displays in Australia. There’s a saltwater and freshwater lake, a rainforest boardwalk, a bamboo collection, an Aboriginal plant garden and free guided tours. This is one of the best free things to do in Cairns.

21. Head to the Daintree Rainforest

There are plenty of day tours available from Cairns to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. Most of them include a cruise along the Daintree River.

Things to do in Cairns - visit the Daintree Rainforest

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22. Do a day trip to Kuranda

Kuranda is a must visit when in Cairns. I loved visiting when I was younger. There are also organised day tours available, which include a ride on both the Skyrail Cableway and Scenic Railway. I highly recommend a journey on both as they’re a fun way to see the sights. Top things to do in Kuranda include visiting the markets, Rainforestation Nature Park, Barron Falls and the Butterfly Sanctuary.

Fun times ahead in Cairns!

I hope this bumper list helps you plan your trip to Cairns. And hey, if you have more time, why not head south to Townsville and Magnetic Island as well 😉.

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This post contains affiliate links and is published in partnership with AccorHotels.

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Hi 👋🏻. I’m Hayley, an Australian freelance writer who has been solo travelling around the world for over 15 years. 40+ countries and two working holidays in Canada later, Hayley on Holiday is my one-stop resource for solo, budget and digital nomad travel. I hope it inspires you to take the leap and explore this wonderful world we live in.

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. I’m back with another solo travel-focused post today. This time, we’re talking about my favourite solo travel destinations in Australia for solo weekend getaways. Here are my recommendations for the best places to visit in Australia alone. My solo travels are not limited to overseas destinations. Yes, I’ve travelled solo across Europe and North America. But I’ve also visited many Australian cities alone as well. Don’t be daunted by solo travel in Australia, because I guarantee you can have a great time Down Under with or without a travel companion. Based on my personal experience (and wishlist), here are the best places to visit in Australia alone. Can you tell I’m a Queenslander? 😂   Note: Australia is a big country and most people will recommend hiring a vehicle to see all the best sights: from cute country towns to cosmopolitan cities. 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Predominantly caused by contaminated food and water, stay away from Bali’s tap water as it isn’t potable. Although experts say to not drink the ice in Bali, it’s government-regulated now and safe to drink.  I also take Travelan before lunch and dinner in Bali and it seems to be the magic ingredient. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited as I was when I travelled around Bali for one month without getting sick. Life goals, friends 😂. If you do inevitably get struck down by Bali Belly, make sure you stay hydrated, take rehydration drinks (available from convenience stores) and stick to a bland diet. Bali Belly is also why I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance before your solo trip to Bali.  Is Bali safe for solo female travellers? This is probably one of the most commonly-asked questions when it comes to solo travel in Bali. In my option, Bali is safe for solo female travellers. Personally, I’ve never felt afraid while walking around Bali alone. On my last trip, I stayed […]

Tower Bridge in London, England

My Complete Solo Traveller’s Guide to Lovely London

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. My latest solo travel guide focuses on lovely London. Keep reading to find out where I stayed in London, solo London travel tips and the best things to do alone in London. It’s about time I wrote a guide on solo travel in London. I’ve spent nearly a month in London overall, so I’m basically a local 💁‍♀️. It’s one of my favourite cities to visit – there’s just so many cool neighbourhoods to visit and attractions to see. It’s also a great city to visit as a solo traveller. So here’s my guide to visiting London by yourself, including the best things to do alone in London. If you’ve ever wondered what to do alone in London, I have you covered. Solo London travel tips First up, here are a couple of travel tips for fellow solo travellers visiting London alone. Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings in busy places as there are pickpockets in London (like every other major city in the world). I also found I felt safe walking from the tube back to my hostel at night alone, as it was located on a busier street and there were always people around. However, I only did this on a couple of occasions. As always, do what feels right to you. All of the amazing things to do alone in London listed below are daytime activities anyway. How to get to London alone Hello, my name is Hayley and I am now a pro at travelling to London alone. So far I’ve arrived and departed from London by plane, train and bus. I’ve flown in and out of London from both Vancouver and Australia – check Skyscanner for the best flight deals. I’ve also taken the Eurostar from London to Paris and FlixBus to Bruges. Within the UK, I have taken National Express buses and the train from London as well. So yes, there are plenty of ways to get to and from London. How to get around London Public transport is fantastic in London, so take advantage. I used the tube most days and even caught a few buses. I simply relied on Google Maps to figure out which tube line or bus would take me to my destination. The best hostel in London for solo travellers In my opinion, the best hostel in London for solo travellers is Wombats City Hostel. I’ve now stayed there multiple times in a six-bed female dorm room (with an ensuite). It’s conveniently located 10 minutes from both Tower Bridge and Brick Lane in East London. The hostel is also within walking distance of two tube lines and two grocery stores. I like the large common areas at the hostel and the onsite bar. The bar hosts weekly events as well, which is the perfect place to meet other solo travellers in London. I’ve also stayed overnight at the Astor Victoria as it’s walking distance from Victoria Coach Station. Let’s just say, Wombats is 100 times better. I had to walk up seven flights of narrow stairs to my female dorm, which isn’t the easiest with a nearly 20kg suitcase. I also thought the shared bathrooms weren’t the cleanest and the common areas at Wombats are so much better.  Here are my top hostelling tips & travel essentials for fellow solo travellers Fun things to do alone in London  Here are lots and lots of things to do in London on your own. You won’t be bored in London after reading this list! 1. Walk along the Thames to see the best London attractions If you’re wondering where to go alone in London, here are several ideas. On my first day in London in 2017, I ended up walking from my hostel near Tower Bridge to Oxford Street. It was a lot of steps, but I passed so many beautiful London attractions on the way. Firstly, there’s Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. I haven’t been to the Tower of London yet, but I’ve heard it’s worthwhile. Then there’s St Paul’s Cathedral before you make it to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It was pretty quiet until I got to Big Ben, which is always overflowing with tourists. Don’t forget Westminster Abbey either. On another day, I walked on the other side of the River Thames to visit some Christmas markets. This is where you’ll find the Shard, the London Eye and Shakespeare’s Globe. A final, but nonetheless awesome option, is to take a cruise along the River Thames.  2. See the Queen at Buckingham Palace Can you even say you’ve been to London if you don’t visit Buckingham Palace? It’s fortunately located in central London, so there are other things to see and do nearby. If you happen to visit in autumn like me, don’t miss seeing all the falling leaves in St James’ Park and Green Park. It’s magical! While we’re on the topic, check out my autumn packing list 😉 3. Do a free walking tour Can you believe I’ve never done a free walking tour in London? I’ve done one in like every other country in Europe, but not London. Anyway, don’t be like me and join a free walking tour. It’s one of the best things to do alone in London (and any place for that matter). 4. Go shopping along Oxford and Regent Streets Oxford and Regent Streets are hectic, no matter when you visit. But Oxford Street is home to all of my favourite English stores (a.k.a. Primark), so it’s always on my personal list of things to do alone in London. If you end up visiting London at Christmas, you also must see the Christmas decorations along Oxford and Regent Streets. While you’re in the area, head to Carnaby Street, which has more independent stores. I loved the handmade products and unique London souvenirs inside We Built This City. Here are […]

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