Visit Cairns, Australia

Set between jungle-cloaked mountains and the Coral Sea, Cairns is the main gateway to Queensland’s tropical north, with one of Australia’s natural heavyweights close at hand: the Great Barrier Reef.

Although only a short distance from an international airport, the city itself has an easy-going, outdoorsy feel, with a palm-lined esplanade, a wealth of waterfront dining, and open food markets where stalls pile high with tropical fruit. Restaurant-wise, fresh seafood, particularly prawns and squid, is a local talking point, and you'll find an eclectic mix of Australian and international cuisine.

Families, in particular, gravitate toward Cairn’s seafront lagoon, a large saltwater pool overlooking the ocean. Meanwhile, up in the mountains, the Kuranda Scenic Railway takes you past waterfalls and gorges as it winds through the rainforest.

But Cairns' real draw lies beyond the city limits. It’s a well-located starting point for numerous liveaboard cruises, day cruises, and tours of the Daintree Rainforest, the wilder Cape York Peninsula, and, in particular, the Great Barrier Reef.

You can reach parts of the reef in less than a day, though longer multi-day voyages allow you to venture further offshore to the outer reef, where you can experience some of the healthiest coral gardens and marine life, from sea turtles to rays and reef sharks.

Around Cairns

Port Douglas

Just over an hour’s drive north of Cairns, Port Douglas is a laid-back locale with easy access to both the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. When not exploring, you can dine at award-winning restaurants, browse independent boutiques, and unwind on Four Mile Beach, with its squeaky white sands bordered by coconut palms.

Palm Cove

A 30-minute drive along the coast from Cairns, Palm Cove moves at an even slower pace. Fringed by towering palms, the village offers relaxed, beachfront dining and a clutch of intimate retreats, making it a natural choice for couples and those interested in wellness.

Kuranda

Nestled within the rainforest-clad hills of the Wet Tropics, Kuranda is known for its arts community, markets, and surrounding nature. You can get there via the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a century-old route that winds through jungle-cloaked slopes. Or, head directly into the hills by the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Atherton Tablelands

West of Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands reveal a different side of tropical north Queensland. Undulating green hills, crater lakes, waterfalls, and fertile volcanic soils support the local food and agricultural scenes, and while here, you can visit local coffee producers, tropical fruit farms, dairies, and distilleries.

Best time to visit Cairns

Cairns is a year-round destination, though it experiences its most pleasant weather between May and November. During this time, temperatures are warm, humidity is lower, and conditions are ideal for exploring both the reef and rainforest. Aside from this, the region's tropical climate ensures lush, green vegetation throughout the year, and if you visit between June and August, you might just catch migrating humpback and minke whales calving on the Great Barrier Reef.