What to do in Cairns

Activities, attractions and tours

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway which includes rainforest and landscape views
Palm Cove Beach which includes tropical scenes, swimming and a sandy beach
Cairns which includes signage and street scenes
Cairns featuring general coastal views, tranquil scenes and a bay or harbor
Cairns featuring forest scenes, a cascade and a river or creek

Cairns Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Cairns has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Cairns, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Cairns with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Cairns

Cairns is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Cairns, and make it a breeze to explore Cairns and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Cairns to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Cairns, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Cairns.

Cairns attractions

Cairns has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Cairns to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Cairns.

Looking for things to do in Cairns can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Cairns or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Cairns attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    One Key members save % or more on select activities, hotels, cars and holiday rentals.
    Learn about One Key

Most fun & popular experiences in Cairns

Tours & day trips

See all 158 activities
Big Cat Green Island - Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Big Cat Green Island - Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Activity duration is 6 hours
8.6 out of 10 with 179 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £58 per adult
Big Cat Green Island - Great Barrier Reef CruiseOpens in new tab

History & culture

See all 35 activities
Half-Day Kuranda Skyrail & Rail Tour

Half-Day Kuranda Skyrail & Rail Tour

Activity duration is 6 hours and 45 minutes
8.6 out of 10 with 8 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £111 per adult
Half-Day Kuranda Skyrail & Rail TourOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 24 activities
Cairns: Daintree Rainforest Wildlife Experience Cruise

Cairns: Daintree Rainforest Wildlife Experience Cruise

Activity duration is 1 hour
9.8 out of 10 with 76 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £19 per adult
Cairns: Daintree Rainforest Wildlife Experience CruiseOpens in new tab

Air, helicopter & balloon tours

See all 17 activities
Full-Day Outer Great Barrier Reef & Helicopter Package

Full-Day Outer Great Barrier Reef & Helicopter Package

Activity duration is 9 hours
7.8 out of 10 with 24 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £210 per adult
Full-Day Outer Great Barrier Reef & Helicopter PackageOpens in new tab

Attractions

See all 12 activities
Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Admission Tickets

Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Admission Tickets

Activity duration is 1 hour
9.2 out of 10 with 24 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £21 per adult
Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Admission TicketsOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Cairns

Number of things to do
201
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Single Admission Ticket: £8
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Cairns

Popular places to visit

Cairns Esplanade showing a pool, a luxury hotel or resort and swimming

Cairns Esplanade

Stroll along the boardwalk surrounded by palms tree and landscaped gardens and watch the sun set over the Coral Sea.

Cairns Esplanade
Palm Cove Beach featuring a beach, tropical scenes and general coastal views

Palm Cove Beach

Located in between the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, this palm tree-lined beach is an idyllic spot to take it easy or begin an adventure.

Palm Cove Beach
Cairns Marlin Marina which includes sailing, mountains and a marina

Cairns Marlin Marina

Enjoy views of the harbour and and unwind with al-fresco dining, entertainment and shopping beside the bay.

Cairns Marlin Marina
One of best things to do in Cairns is ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway. It's a 90 minute journey that takes you down the mountain to Cairns passing waterfalls, scenic lookouts and over old bridges. Catch the Skyrail up the mountain from Cairns and then catch the train back down. Or, vice versa.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre

During your visit to Tropical North Waterfront, you can do some window-shopping at Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre
Esplanade Lagoon which includes a hotel and a coastal town

Esplanade Lagoon

Relax after a day of sightseeing or cool down from the summer heat in this fresh-water lagoon, one of Cairns’ best city attractions.

Esplanade Lagoon
Cairns Convention Centre, Queensland: Aerial Photo of Iconic Architecture, Urban Landscape, Waterfront, and City Infrastructure in Tropical North Queensland, Australia

Cairns Convention Centre

Learn about the events happening in Cairns Convention Centre during your trip to Tropical North Waterfront. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Convention Centre
Cairns Night Markets showing markets as well as a small group of people

Cairns Night Markets

During your trip to Tropical North Waterfront, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Cairns Night Markets. Stroll along the beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area or seek out the local tours.

Cairns Night Markets
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway featuring rainforest and forest scenes

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Station

Soar above the treetops of the rain forest, gorges and mountains of North Queensland in a glass-enclosed cable car.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Station
Clifton Beach showing a garden and tropical scenes

Clifton Beach

This quiet beach north of Cairns offers long stretches of white sand and clear water.

Clifton Beach

Explore areas of Cairns

Palm Cove showing a beach, a garden and tropical scenes

Palm Cove

Relax on sandy beaches and swim in turquoise waters at a resort town between the Great Barrier Reef and the rain forests of tropical Far North Queensland.

Palm Cove
Cairns which includes a city

Cairns Central Business District

4.5/5(69 area reviews)

Cairns Central Business District is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Esplanade Lagoon and Cairns Marlin Marina.

Cairns Central Business District
Trinity Beach showing tropical scenes, a sandy beach and surfing

Trinity Beach

Unwind on this tranquil stretch of golden beach, relax under the shade of swaying palm trees and explore Tropical North Queensland at your leisure.

Trinity Beach
The Cairns Lagoon at sunrise in Tropical North Queensland

Cairns North

Pristine beaches and ample dining options are well-reviewed features of Cairns North. Make a stop by top sights like Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland while you're exploring the area.

Cairns North
Yorkeys Knob showing tranquil scenes and mountains

Yorkeys Knob

Yorkeys Knob is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Yorkeys Knob Beach and Half Moon Bay Golf Course.

Yorkeys Knob
Clifton Beach which includes mountains, a luxury hotel or resort and golf

Clifton Beach

Clifton Beach is known for its pristine beaches, and you can make a stop by Clifton Beach and Palm Cove Beach while in the area.

Clifton Beach

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Cairns

Cairns and Northern Beaches which includes signage

Kuranda

Aerial photo of tropical housing estate in mountain range

Koah

If you're looking for an inexpensive but lovely way to spend an evening then hop on a sunset cruise with Cairns Harbour Cruises. At only $44 it's worth it to see the sun setting behind the mountains. #goldenhour www.cheskiesgaplife.com/a-delightful-evening-the-cairns-sunset-cruise

Portsmith

The road from palm Cove to Port Douglas is about as close as you can get to the ocean without driving on the sand. Enjoy the view but drive carefully as you wind through the bends in the road (also don't swim...croc are about!). This was taken in January - the tropical rains come and go every few minutes.

Wangetti

Barron Gorge National Park featuring a river or creek and forests

Speewah

Frequently asked questions

Is Cairns worth visiting?
Cairns offers an interesting mix of local charm, attractions and culture. Whether you're into history, outdoor activities or regional cuisine, there's a lot to enjoy here.
How do I spend a day in Cairns?
After you've checked off major attractions like Yorkeys Knob Beach and Cairns Aquarium, spend some time discovering Cairns's retail and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Cairns?
The top tourist attraction in Cairns is Yorkeys Knob Beach, so don't forget to include it on your sightseeing list.
Is three days enough to stay in Cairns?
You can easily visit popular sights like Cairns Aquarium, St Monica's Cathedral and The Cairns Museum with a three-day break in Cairns. On average, many travellers book three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a bit longer and check out Fitzroy Island.
Is Cairns a walkable city?
It depends on what you'd like to do and see in Cairns. Several key attractions, including Cairns Aquarium and St Monica's Cathedral, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a stroll around some of Cairns's best neighbourhoods, Cairns Central Business District is 0.32 kms (0.20 miles) away from downtown, while Cairns North is 3 kms (2 miles) away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Cairns with kids?
If you're searching for tours and attractions for all ages, here are some awesome ideas for what to do in Cairns with kids.

What to do in Cairns for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or fan of nature, there are loads of things to do in Cairns for adults including Cazalys Cairns and Australian Armour and Artillery Museum.
Are there free things to do in Cairns?
From visiting parks to wandering around hip neighbourhoods, it's easy to find free things to do in Cairns. If you need inspiration, ask for recommendations from a local tour guide. St Monica's Cathedral is a great spot for anyone looking to save on their sightseeing activities.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia