Home to two of the most magnificent natural wonders of the world, the infamous Great Barrier Reef and oldest tropical rainforest in the world, the Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is brimming with amazing activities, with options to suit everyone. Whether you are wanting to get the lowdown on the best beaches in the area, breathtaking snorkelling locations, or where to get up close and personal with Australia’s amazing wildlife, we’ve got you covered!
The Best Beaches in and Surrounding Cairns
With some of the most outstanding tropical, palm-fringed beaches in all of Australia, the Cairns region is abundant with exquisite, pristine beaches, such as:
Trinity Beach
Located approximately 20 minutes north of Cairns you will find Trinity Beach, a popular choice amongst the region’s locals. Famous for its chilled-out vibe and family friendly atmosphere, Trinity Beach is sheltered among the headlands, making it feel like a little paradise separate from the rest of the world. Kick back and relax on the beach and then pop on over for a drink and a bite to eat at one of Trinity’s many cafes, restaurants and bars located along the esplanade. Or if you’re up for it, fire up one of the free BBQs available on the beachfront. Trinity Beach’s small shopping village and number of accommodation options to suit all budgets means there’s something for everyone at this local favourite.
Palm Cove
Located just 30 minutes’ drive from Cairns and fringed by swaying palm trees lays one of Cairns’ most famous and popular beaches, Palm Cove, with the esplanade dotted with plenty of boutique accommodation options, as well as a number of top notch bars and restaurants. If you’re not looking to blow your budget, there are also a number of free BBQs located along the shorefront, in addition to a caravan park at the beach’s northern end. The Palm Cove jetty is popular amongst residents and tourists alike in the evening, with many friendly folk looking to catch dinner for the night.
Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island
Situated a mere 45-minute Fast Cat ride away from the Cairns Marina you shall find the idyllic tropical island paradise of Fitzroy Island. Fitzroy Island is home to one of the most spectacular beaches in the country, Nudey Beach, awarded Australia’s No. 1 Beach in the Top 101 Beaches Awards for 2018.
Framed by tropical rainforest and granite boulders, with white coral sand sloping gently into the turquoise Coral Sea, Nudey Beach is a favourite amongst locals as well as tourists from all over the world. With the opportunity to snorkel straight from the shore of the island, visitors and guests of Fitzroy Island Resort can explore the exquisite coral and rich marine life that call the surrounding waters of Fitzroy Island home.
Ellis Beach
One of the quietest and most relaxed beaches in the Cairns area is Ellis Beach, a 6km stretch of beautiful squeaky sand, located near to busier Palm Cove. Unlike many of the other beaches in the region, Ellis Beach is totally undeveloped, with the Ellis Beach Caravan Park the only accommodation available (located amongst the trees, right on the beachfront), and a singular licensed bar and café across the road the only place to grab some tucker by foot (with gorgeous beach views).
Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
Postcard-perfect Four Mile Beach located in Port Douglas, roughly an hour’s drive from Cairns, is one of the most well-known beaches in the region, welcoming guests from not only all over Australia, but all over the world. The beach itself is completely undeveloped, with nearby homes, accommodation and the main street, Macrossan Street, well-hidden by the palm trees and tropical vegetation that line the four miles of the beach. Four Mile Beach is worth viewing from above at the nearby Flagstaff Hill lookout, and Macrossan and surrounding streets are home to some of the region’s best shopping, café, restaurant and bar options.
Awesome Camping Locations Near Cairns
Granite Gorge
Located just 12km outside a little town named Mareeba (an hour from Cairns) lays Granite Gorge, a privately-owned nature park. Several million years ago, the infamous boulders of Granite Gorge were formed thanks to volcanoes, and are a spectacular natural wonder just begging to be explored!
Granite Gorge park is home to a number of walking trails amongst the ancient boulders, as well as a variety of fascinating animals, including the resident Rock Wallabies, waiting to be fed in the morning and afternoon by visitors (wallaby food is available from reception for just $1!). If you’re feeling hot and sweaty after hiking amongst the boulders, a crocodile-free swim is the perfect way to cool down in Granite Creek Weir (also a fabulous spot for canoeing and kayaking).
Unpowered and powered sites are on offer at the Granite Gorge campground, and the sites are shady and spacious. Clean and well-maintained facilities include toilet blocks and hot showers, in addition to laundry facilities. Wood for open fires as well as BBQs are also available.
Image Credit: travelthisearth.com
Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island, the home of Nudey Beach, is a blissful island paradise perfect for pitching a tent near to the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. It doesn’t get much better than crawling out of your tent in the morning, gathering your snorkel and mask and heading straight for the beach for snorkelling just off the shore!
Fitzroy Island is home to a host of different activities, whether you are looking for something a little more active (such as stand up paddle boarding or hiking), or just to kick back and relax (by the resort pool or the beach, for example) on your camping adventure.
Fitzroy Island’s campground (managed by the Island’s resort on behalf of the Cairns Regional Council) has roughly twenty camp sites, in addition to a shower block, beachfront BBQs and pergola-covered eating areas. Be sure to bring along your own camping equipment and explore all that Fitzroy Island has to offer!
Lake Tinaroo
Just 15 minutes northeast of neighbouring Atherton (located in the Cairns hinterland) you will find the beautiful Lake Tinaroo. Popular for quite some time amongst Cairns locals, Lake Tinaroo is both safe and protected for swimming, as well as windsurfing, sailing, water skiing and fishing. The Lake is surrounded by a mix of beautiful vegetation, which includes dense rainforest, Australian bush scrub, as well as pine trees. It is not uncommon to sight kangaroos, platypuses as well as magnificent birdlife, as a result.
At Lake Tinaroo, you are spoilt for choice with five different camping areas located in the Danbulla State Forest (situated at the back of the lake): Downfall, Fong-On Bay, Kauri Creek, Platypus and School Point Camping Areas. Campfires are allowed at all camping areas, and flushing toilets as well as a shower room (bring along your own shower) are available. All campgrounds are unpowered, and in terms of bringing along your own generator, Fong-On Bay is your only option. Drinking water to last the duration of your stay must be brought to all campgrounds.
Seven Incredible Ways to Explore the Great Barrier Reef Near Cairns
Snorkelling
Be it on the open reef or straight off the shores of an island located on the Great Barrier Reef, snorkelling continues to hit the number one spot for the most popular way to explore the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. Choose to take part in a day tour to the outer reef, from the Cairns or Port Douglas (located one hour north of Cairns) Marinas, or hit up one of the magical tropical islands dotted along the Great Barrier Reef, such as Fitzroy Island, located just off the shore of Cairns.
Whether you choose to bring your own gear or hire a mask, snorkel and fins from the Fitzroy Island Sport Hub, setting off from the water’s edge out onto the reef that surrounds the island is a magical experience. You will have the opportunity to cast your eyes on majestic sea turtles, as well as numerous stunning tropical fish, including Nemo (clown fish), not to mention an array of beautiful coral.
Scuba Diving
Want to get up close and personal to the magnificent coral and sea life that call the Great Barrier Reef home? Give scuba diving a shot! Whether you head out on a tour boat to an outer reef location such as Agincourt Reef, or snorkel off the shore of a tropical island, scuba diving amongst the exquisite beauty of the Great Barrier Reef is most definitely an experience to remember for the rest of your life.
Helicopter – view from above!
Exploring the spectacular colours, textures and overall beauty of the individual reef systems that together make up the Great Barrier Reef from the air via helicopter is an experience like no other! Taking a helicopter ride from Cairns is an outstanding way to view this awe-inspiring structure from a totally different perspective, and really gives you the opportunity to appreciate the sheer size and magnitude of the Great Barrier Reef. Taking a camera on board is an absolute must – astonishing photo opportunities are simply everywhere you look!
Glass Bottom Boat Tour
Perfect for those who are unable to swim or aren’t particularly keen and/or confident swimmers is the option of taking a glass bottom boat tour, whereby you can view the magic of the coral and sea fauna of the Great Barrier Reef from the dry, safety and comfort of a glass bottom boat. A number of tour operators offer glass bottom boat tours as part of their venture to the outer reefs. Additionally, glass bottom boat tours are also on offer at a number of islands situated amongst the Great Barrier Reef.
Sea Kayaking
Sea kayaking has it all – tons of fun, fantastic incidental exercise, and with a glass bottom kayak, the opportunity to explore the Great Barrier Reef below, from the comfort of your kayak! Even better, consider joining a guided sea kayaking tour (like that offered at Fitzroy Island), lead by an experienced local guide, where you can visit locations around the island not accessible by foot nor by boat, as well as learn all about the magic of the coral and sea life beneath you. If a tour’s not your thing, feel free to hire your own glass bottom kayak and associated gear and explore at your own pace.
Seawalker
Ever wanted to walk along the sea floor, amongst the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef? Now you can! Available via Sunlover Reef Cruises and at Green Island (off the coast of Cairns), the Seawalker experience entails wearing a fully enclosed Seawalker diving helmet (your head shall remain completely dry), which enables you to immerse yourself for roughly 15 to 20 minutes, 4 to 5 metres below the surface, amongst the incredible colourful coral and tropical fish that call the water of the Great Barrier Reef home.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, don’t worry, this experience is perfect for you! Your oxygen is supplied from the surface above via an air hose connected to you beneath the water. Unlike scuba diving, the Seawalker saves you having to learn and operate complicated equipment and is a fantastic option for people lacking confidence in the water. Especially since your Seawalker guide is always right nearby your side.
Image Credit: seawalker.com.au
Scuba Doo
Want to one-up the concept of the Seawalker? Then give the scuba-style scooter, “Scuba Doo”, a shot!
Just like during the Seawalker experience, the Scuba Doo enables your head (and your shoulders!) to remain completely dry, as you zoom around the Great Barrier Reef at speeds of up to 2.5 knots. Just like the Seawalker helmet, the 180-degree Scuba Doo viewing dome is glasses- and contact lenses-friendly.
Offered by no one other than Great Adventures, nearby to the coast of Cairns, you shall hop safely onto your motorised scooter from the pontoon. The air of your viewing dome stays both fresh and comfortable, due to replenishment from your pre-fixed scuba tank, and a float above the water’s surface works to support your yellow scooter. This 20-minute experience, at approximately 4 metres below the surface, is another fabulous option for people lacking confidence in the water.
Amazing Rainforest Walks Near Cairns
Mossman Gorge
Located in the south of the World Heritage-Listed Daintree National Park and regularly featured in travel brochures all over the world is the crystal-clear Mossman River, framed by stunning tropical rainforest and enormous granite boulders.
The Mossman Gorge Centre (from which you take a shuttle bus right into the heart of Mossman Gorge) is located just 2km from the heart of Mossman, a town just up the highway from popular Port Douglas. There are a number of walking tracks on offer for you to explore at your preferred pace, the most famous being the Rainforest Circuit Track, which is 2.4km in length (return) and takes 45 minutes in total to complete. You shall set off from the far side of Rex Creek Bridge and make your way via the circuit track through the breathtaking and awe-inspiring Daintree Rainforest.
Fitzroy Island
Did you know that Fitzroy Island (just off the coast of Cairns) is a whopping 97% National Park? As a result, the island is rich with amazing walking tracks (suitable for all different ages and fitness levels), just waiting to be explored. Why not give one of the following three walking track options available at Fitzroy Island a shot:
Nudey Beach Track (1km return, 45 minutes duration)
A lovely leisurely stroll through beautiful tropical rainforest as well as coastal woodlands shall lead you to the jaw-dropping beauty of Nudey Beach, perfect for taking a dip in the ocean, snorkelling or simply relaxing on the sand.
Secret Garden Track (1km return, 45 minutes duration)
This track takes in the mammoth granite boulders as well as lush tropical rainforest along the western edge of the island’s jetty.
Summit Track (2.6km return, 3 hours duration)
This particular walk requires a high level of fitness, thanks to passing over very steep terrain. Firstly, you shall make your way up the Boulder Trail (located behind the Fitzroy Island jetty), then through coastal woodlands and tropical rainforest before opening out to gorgeous views of the island itself, in addition to the surrounding Coral Sea.
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Railway
Though not specifically a ‘rainforest walk’, we can’t leave out the ever popular Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Railway, for a unique way to explore the tropical rainforest that engulfs Cairns.
This gondola experience sees you venturing over the World Heritage Listed tropical rainforest, and takes 90 minutes from the base in Smithfield, Cairns, to the village of Kuranda (famous for its quirky market and cafes), located amongst the rainforest. On your journey, you have two opportunities to hop off and immerse yourself amongst the beauty of the rainforest and its amazing views.
Elect to take the Kuranda Railway (built over 120 years ago) for your journey back down to Cairns, which meanders by the mountainous walls that make up the Barron Gorge National Park, though a number of solid granite rock tunnels and past beautiful rainforest waterfalls.
Most Incredible Snorkelling Locations Near Cairns (Other Than Open Water Locations on the Great Barrier Reef)
Fitzroy Island, near Cairns
Fitzroy Island is an absolute snorkeller’s paradise and enables you to snorkel straight from the shore into its warm tropical waters, right onto the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef (from Nudey Beach or Welcome Bay). The water surrounding Fitzroy Island is abundant with beautiful tropical fish (including the infamous clown fish!), a number of different types of coral, magical sea turtles and giant gropers – all from the water’s edge!
Whether you choose to visit for just the day, or lap it up by staying at the island’s very own resort, Fitzroy Island is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding locations for snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.
Low Isles, north-east of Port Douglas
Just 15km north-east of Port Douglas lays the ever popular Low Isles (two separate islands that share the same reef). On a clear day, the Low Isles can be spotted from Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas and can be reached by a short boat ride (leaving from the Port Douglas Marina).
Thanks to its shallow waters as well as beach access, the Low Isles are well suited for children, alongside swimmers and snorkellers who feel timid swimming in the ocean.
Though on some occasions the water clarity is not as clear in comparison to other locations (condition dependent), a visit to the Low Isles may involve exploring over 150 types of coral that call the area home, as well as numerous different tropical fish, and possibly reef sharks and turtles too!
Mossman River, Mossman
The Mossman River area is not only famous for its exquisite walking tracks through the tropical rainforest, but also for its crystal-clear waters. A guided river drift snorkelling tour with Back Country Bliss (which involves floating your way down the river, thanks to its natural current) is a magical way to explore the life beneath the water’s surface (think tropical fish, eels, turtles and platypuses), as well as the thousands of species of flora and fauna (including butterflies, lizards and birds) that call the Daintree Rainforest home.
Where to See Australian Wildlife Near Cairns
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Wangetti Beach
Located approximately half an hour’s drive from Cairns lays Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures – one of the country’s top wildlife parks to see not only crocodiles, but a wide mix of Australian fauna as well.
Focused heavily on sustainability and ecotourism, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is open a whopping 364 days a year (all but Christmas Day). With five different zones that make up the park (Hartley’s Lagoon, Cassowary Walk, Wildlife Discovery Trail, Crocodile Farm and finally, Gondwana Gateway), it’s best to allow yourself half, if not an entire day to really soak up all Hartley’s has on offer for its visitors.
One of the highlights of the park is a boat cruise (which runs six times a day) around Hartley’s Lagoon, whereby you can view crocodiles both in the water and along the banks of their Australian habitat. Other fascinating presentations at the park include the Crocodile Attack Show, Wallaby and Quoll Feeding and Koala Feeding.
Wildlife Habitat, Port Douglas
With four different North Queensland environments (Rainforest, Savannah, Wetlands and Woodland), the Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas is home to a wide array of Australian mammals, birds and reptiles, and is a unique and interactive experience.
Home to wallabies, kangaroos and koalas, reptiles including pythons, dragons and crocodiles and more than 75 different species of birds (such as parrots, cockatoos and giant cassowaries), the Wildlife Habitat runs a number of daily animal presentations as well as scheduled feeding tours. You may even wish to consider taking part in one of their unique experiences on offer, such as Breakfast with the Birds or a Wildnight Nocturnal Tour.
Fitzroy Island, off the coast of Cairns
Fitzroy Island is teeming with wildlife! Think tropical fish, majestic sea turtles and giant gropers in the waters surrounding the island, in addition to yellow-spotted monitors, sulphur crested cockatoos and the spectacled flying fox, living in the island’s National Park rainforest and coastal woodlands.
Additionally, Fitzroy Island is home to the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre – a non-profit organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick and/or injured turtles with the goal of releasing them back into the ocean. The centre, run by passionate volunteers, runs daily tours from 1pm, where you can see the sea turtles up close and hear all about the incredible work that goes on at the centre.
