Cairns: A One-Stop Destination for Thrilling Adventures

When it’s adventure o’clock, there can’t be a destination as happening as Cairns! This city in Queensland is endowed with not one but two UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Daintree Rainforest – perfect for zip lining through in true Tarzan-style, and the Great Barrier Reef – known for its scuba diving and snorkelling adventures. That’s not all! While here, you’ll get to enjoy great wildlife encounters and an opportunity to get mesmerized by the incredible biodiversity.

So let’s get explorin’!

Zoom Your Lenses on Cairns City

Make a Splash at Cairns Esplanade Swimming Lagoon

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This azure salt-water pool is the perfect place to get sun-soaked and indulge in safe swimming. A hotspot for a fun day-out, the Cairns Esplanade Swimming Lagoon flaunts an array of trendy restaurants and coffee shops along its shore. Check-out the 12 BBQ facilities here and let your lil’ ones have a blast at Muddy’s Playground.

Spend an afternoon at Cairns Aquarium

A particular favourite of the kids and home to several exotic creatures, the Cairns Aquarium showcases the vibrant biodiversity, including the natural wonders of The Great Barrier Reef, The Wet Tropics, Cape York and the Gulf Savannah regions. An unbeatable experience, this is the perfect place to stock up on Australian wildlife trivia!

Explore the Great Barrier Reef in All its Wonder

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A magnificent coral cay located 45 minutes from Cairns, Green Island is the perfect location for reef time! Kick-start with a breath-taking skydive for panoramic views of the Great Barrier Reef and then snorkel amid the corals. Oh! There’s also a sea-walking activity available, allowing you to walk on the ocean floor, sans the difficulties of swimming underwater. Make sure you get clicked during your dive because the photos of the reef are sure to set your Insta page on fire!

Hop Aboard a Cruise

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Big Cat Green Island Cruise: Operating the only Semi Submarine advanced coral viewing tour, Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises is ideal for a full-on family vacay. Replete with glass bottom boat tours, snorkelling sessions and helmet diving, you’re in for a power-packed treat.

Sunlover Reef Cruises at Outer Great Barrier Reef: A crystal-clear ocean and premium tent accommodations aboard a huge pontoon is the stuff #TravelGoals are made of. Add to that, glass-bottomed boats and an under-water observatory! The fun doesn’t stop there. The Sunlover Reef Cruises also arrange helicopter rides, scuba diving and sea-walker helmet diving to further spice-up your itinerary.

Quicksilver Cruises: Australia’s most-awarded reef cruise operator, Quicksilver Cruises help weave exciting memories with services like snorkelling, diving and helmet-diving at the Agincourt Reef. Do remember to send a happy postcard home via Australia Post—the only post box on The Great Barrier Reef! Just so you know, the cruise takes off from Port Douglas.

Unveil the Secrets of the Rainforest at Cairns!

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Go All-Out Aussie in Kuranda

Cuddling a Koala, feeding a kangaroo, partaking in Aboriginal cultural dances and snaking along the Barron River should definitely be on your bucket-list while here. Oh! And do make space for some Kuranda-special home-made ice-cream—you’d love it!

Hop on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Skyrailing along the forest is a signature Australian experience where you get the best views of the enthralling Barron Falls. What’s more, even Queen Elizabeth fell in love with this award-winning tourist destination.

Embark on a daytrip from Cairns to Daintree Rainforest

A perfect idyllic spot where the rainforest meets the reef, Cape Tribulation along with Daintree National Park is a winning location to pull off that romantic proposal you’ve been planning! Enjoy the long drive to Port Douglas, accentuated with stunning views along the Captain Cook Highway, and conclude with a ferry ride on the Daintree River to reach your destination. Spruce up your trip with the Crocodile Cruise along the river bordered by mangroves.

Sign Up for a Scenic Coastal Drive to Port Douglas via Palm Cove

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Steeped in natural flora and fauna, stunning views and varied landscapes, the hour-long drive from Cairns to Port Douglas through Palm Cove is as mesmerising as it gets.

Port Douglas is a celeb-favourite holiday destination and you only need to visit once to see why! With access to the Great Barrier Reef, award-winning dining and a variety of luxury hotels, there’s so many reasons to holiday here with your family, partner or solo. Regardless, you’ll always find something exotic and fun to do.

Get Your Fill of Thrilling Adventures

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Australia’s adventure capital Cairns, has some of the best activities to pump up your adrenaline. Here are some that you must not miss:

AJ Hackett Bungee Jumping: Propel yourself across the Nevis Valley with this power-packed activity that will get your heart pounding.

#MMTTip: Don’t forget to collect your hero-shots to brag about later!

Skydiving in Cairns: Glorious views of the Tropical Forests and 30 seconds of freefall from 10,000 feet – need we say anything more?

Scuba Diving at The Great Barrier Reef: Be prepared to get intoxicated by the vibrant and aww-mazing marine life, stretching across more than 2300 km on the ocean floor.

White-water Rafting: Thunder along The Bully or the Barron River, curtained on both sides by the Tropical Forests. You’d be left wanting to go on another round for sure!

Hot Air Ballooning: Admire the vibrant landscape from up above the sky on a hot air balloon at Cairns. Make sure to book in advance.

#MMTTip: Atherton Tablelands, 20 minutes west of Cairns, is your sweet spot for this activity!

Jungle Surfing: No better way to explore the wonderful Daintree Forest than zip-lining in true-blue Mowgli fashion! Older than the grand Amazon Forests, this is a traveller’s delight for sure!

#MMTTip: Soak in the enchanting coastline and boardwalks at Cape Tribulation while combining this activity with sightseeing at Port Douglas.

Soak in Indigenous Cultural Experiences

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Learn about the indigenous Aboriginal culture at Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park, designed to provide a sneak-peek into one of the oldest cultures in the world.
Give in to the joy of ancient music or learn the art of spear throwing and hunting in a rainforest. Watch a professional theatre production, traditional Tjapukai corroboree and amazing fire-making shows while sitting around the campfire and hearing the ancient tales.
Standing as the gateway to the Daintree Rainforest, The Mossman Gorge Centre provides the perfect eco-tourism getaway to engage with the Aborigines and imbibe the rich culture of the people. Oh! Do taste the coffee at Mayi Café.

Plan a Date with Wildlife

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Stealing the thunder from your pictures is what the crocodiles love to do here at Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome while you zipline over it and pose for those stand-out pictures. With a range of activities designed to satiate your inner Indiana Jones, you’d be awestruck by the wildlife diversity here.

Hop Over to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, just 40 minutes north of Cairns, for a power-packed afternoon session. Do learn about the fascinating wildlife evolution story while here.

Can’t wait to feel the thrill?

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