Cairns Holiday Houses & Accommodation

A fun, affordable family outing in Cairns is a visit to the Esplanade, a lovely parkland that extends along Trinity Bay, and through the city's central precinct. A stroll along the 2.5km path that meanders through the park is a great way to spend an hour or two with children, and several adventure playgrounds along the way will be sure to enhance their enjoyment. Another popular part of the Esplanade parklands is the Lagoon, a large shallow pool that is open to the public throughout the year, free of charge.

A boat trip to nearby Green Island is also a great outing for families, and kids will enjoy looking at the undersea coral on the glass bottom boat tour, playing on the sandy beaches, and snorkelling in the clear shallow water. In addition, the Cairns region boasts many wildlife parks, including the popular and long-running Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, where children can learn all about the unique species that inhabit the tropical rainforests.

The Cairns Art Gallery is located in the heart of the city and features exhibitions by local and interstate artists. It's also the venue for regular art workshops, children's classes, and occasional yoga classes. The gallery complex includes a gift shop where quality souvenirs and gifts, handmade by local artisans, are sold.

Nearby, the Cairns Museum traces the history of the city, beginning with the traditional culture of the local Indigenous people. Its exhibition spaces also display photos and artefacts from Cairns' early days as a remote colonial outpost and bustling port.

Approximately 20km north of Cairns, Tjapukai Cultural Park is a destination that will be appreciated by visitors seeking deeper insights into the lifestyle of the Tjapukai people, the traditional owners of the Cairns area. The complex features interactive displays, art galleries, storytelling, and multimedia presentations of the ancient Dreamtime narrations. Visitors also have the opportunity to learn about tribal lore and hunting methods, as well as how to gather native bush food and medicinal plants. For many people, the highlight of a visit to Tjapukai Cultural Park is experiencing traditional music, song, and dance in a corroboree ceremony.

Cairns' most popular excursion destination is the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the world. Numerous boat tours provide visitors with a glimpse into this unique marine environment. Some of the best local day trips are diving and snorkelling tours on the outer reef. Green Island and the Michaelmas Cay National Park are other popular destinations for reef tours.

Many visitors also enjoy a day trip to Kuranda, a beautiful rainforest village in the mountains west of the city. Approximately 28km from Cairns by road, the village can also be reached by the Kuranda Scenic Railway or the Skyrail Cableway. Kuranda is renowned for many activities, including rainforest walks through the Barron Gorge National Park, visits to local wildlife sanctuaries, and the Kuranda Markets, where many local craftspeople sell their creations.

A road trip through the scenic Atherton Tablelands is another popular excursion for visitors of all ages. Highlights include quaint villages, lush rainforest, dramatic waterfalls, and views over Cairns and the coastal plains. The spectacular Daintree National Park is also a popular day trip for visitors to the Cairns region. Located approximately 80km north of Cairns, the park is renowned for its rugged rainforested mountains meeting the Great Barrier Reef near Cape Tribulation.

Palm Cove Village is a favourite celebrity hangout which is home to city’s most luxurious restaurants, scenic beachfront barbecue spots, landscaped garden spots and bars. Situated just to the north of the city, its palm fringed beaches offer a glimpse of a tropical paradise.

Cairns is known as the heart of Queensland’s tropical fruit bowl and at Rusty’s Market you will find a wide range of fresh, regional produce. The market opens three days each week and has different stores selling flowers, baked goods, jewellery, clothing and deli items.

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway starts 15km north of Cairns and takes visitors on an unforgettable journey through the pristine rainforest canopy. It provides visitors with the perfect opportunity to explore the beautiful village of Kuranda which is served by a narrow gauge railway.

The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is home to an impressive butterfly aviary and over 2000 butterflies. It’s advisable to wear white clothing to attract the butterflies so that they will land on your shoulders. The sanctuary is the largest butterfly aviary in the southern hemisphere

Fitzroy Island is the largest Australian tropical island which is covered in rainforest and surrounded by and extensive coral reef system. The island is located 30km from Cairns City and is surrounded with white sand beaches which are ideal for snorkelling, hiking, kayaking and beachcombing.

The Great Barrier Reef is not the only reason to visit Cairns - the coastline around this sun-soaked city offers stunning beaches where you can relax and unwind. Trinity Beach, highly popular with the locals, provides an idyllic beach experience for travellers with families. A short drive north of the city, this sheltered beach features barbeques, which are free for anyone to use.

Ranked as the best beach in Australia in 2018, Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island is a tropical paradise. You can take a short boat ride to Fitzroy Island from Cairns Marina, and the beach itself is only a short walk from the Welcome Bay jetty where the boat docks.

A protected National Park, Nudey Beach presents a stretch of clean white sand surrounded by lush tropical rainforest vegetation. Make sure you explore the rest of Fitzroy Island too, including the Summit Walking Trail, which offers spectacular views reaching all the way to the Great Barrier Reef.

Palm Cove, a little north of Trinity Beach, is a lively spot to visit by day or by night. With its stylish restaurants and bars, Palm Cove makes for a great evening beach experience. The jetty here is often packed with local fishermen as the sun goes down.