Flights to Cairns (CNS)

When is the best time of year to fly to Cairns?

Cairns and surrounding Port Douglas and northern beaches offers plenty of things to do year-round, although you may just find the summer months a tad humid.

April to September is the best time to visit Cairns for the ideal blend of warm dry weather (temperatures rarely dip below 24 degrees), less crowds, and great value hotel prices. By visiting Cairns after summer you’ll also miss the Christmas crowds and high humidity too. Ideal weather for exploring neighbouring islands, Daintree rainforest, and of course being a beach bum.

During the summer months (the wet season), December through to March, you’ll experience Queensland’s stunning storms, but with it you’ll also grab great deals on your accommodation and tours.

June through to November is ideal for snorkelling, with little chance of rain. It’s also an ideal time for riding the Kuranda Scenic Railway for clear views from the carriages.

What are the top attractions in Cairns?

There’s so much to see and do in and around Cairns - from nature’s playground to explore, events such as Ironman, to the glamour of Palm Cove – there’s something for everyone.

The Great Barrier Reef

Experience the ultimate reef adventure in the world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef – the world’s largest coral reef system. A reason alone to fly to Cairns!

Composing of over 2,900 individual reefs, 900 islands, and 3,000 kilometres, the Great Barrier Reef is unique as it extends over 14 degrees of latitude, from shallow areas to deep oceanic waters.

One of the most complex natural ecosystems in the world, you’ll discover a range of ecological communities, habitats and species.

Cairns is the major gateway to this majestic stretch of the underworld. Explore the Reef on one of the many day trips departing from Cairns, by cruise, luxury catamaran, or based from one of the pontoon sites. If your belly doesn’t fancy the open ocean opt for a scenic helicopter tour instead.

Great Barrier Reef Islands

Welcome to Paradise with idyllic islands a hop skip and jump away from Cairns. Surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef, Green Island, Fitzroy Island, Bedarra Island and Lizard Island are all easily accessible and offer their own opportunity to explore their wonder.

The Daintree Rainforest

Millions of years older than the amazon sprawled over 1200 square metres, the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, first home to the Kuku Yalanji people, uncovers one of Queensland’s most tropical storybooks.

Discover lagoons and gorges, flowing streams and mountain ranges – this complex ecosystem is a living cultural museum, a living timeline of evolution, where plant and animal life thrive and come alive.

Cape Tribulation

With a forest tumbling down to the coast, the remote headland of Cape Tribulation is where two UNSESCO World Heritage sites, the Wet Tropics Rainforest and The Great Barrier Reef, meet.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

A 7.5-kilometre cableway running above the Barron Gorge National Park, the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway offers an aerial experience of the world’s oldest living tropical rainforest.

Home to 15 of the 26 families of ancient flowering plants in the world, gliding over this ancient rainforest you’ll see plants and animals found nowhere else on earth.

Don’t miss the money shot (and hashtag #rainforestroad on Insta) on the descent from Kuranda to Smithfield, through the glass-bottom gondola floor or open-air view in the canopy glider. All an easy 25km reach from Cairns either by self-drive or on one of the many available tours from Cairns, Port Douglas or northern beaches.

Palm Cove

North Queensland’s glamorous beach village, Palm Cove is a boutique beach village oasis lined with palm-fringed white beaches, innovative fine dining restaurants and luxury hotels.

Dubbed the spa capital of Australia, take time out to enjoy a massage or treatment, native Australian ingredients now taking stage in the Spa menus.

If lying around isn’t your thing, glide to the reef on a kayak to Haycock Island and spot the hypnotic turtles.

Palm Cove is also a popular wedding destination, with venues ranging from beachfront chapels to rooftop terraces and modern resorts.

Discover this glam destination for yourself.

Port Douglas

The capital of barefoot luxury, Port Douglas has brought all the stars – the Hollywood ones – with visitors such as Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett all having visited – even former US President Bill Clinton.

Famous for its Four Mile Beach, even the road to Paradise is spectacular – the hour drive from Cairns winds along with the ocean on one side, rainforest the other.

Port Douglas offers more than 60 restaurants and cafes on and around Macrossan Street, the town’s main artery, coming to life after dark. Make your way to the newly redeveloped Reef Marina, where you’ll find Port Douglas’s top eateries including Hemingway Brewery – try a locally brewed beer, and Barbados – a chic cocktail bar.

It’s also home to stylish shopping, selling everything from local designs and handcrafted jewellery, to major international labels. Don’t miss the legendary markets held every Sunday, selling everything from local produce to pottery.

One of the best golfing destinations in Australia, Port Douglas boasts three exceptional 18-hole courses close to the town centre – Port Douglas Mirage Country Club, Palmer Sea Reef Golf Club, and Mossman Golf Club.

Kuranda

Kuranda’s cooler mountain climate is a great way to beat the heat, sitting at an altitude of 330 metres and a 27km journey from Cairns CBD. Here you’ll find two outdoor markets, Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets and the Heritage Markets.

Get up close to iconic wildlife at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld, the Koala Gardens and Rainforestation National Park.

Outside Kuranda is the famous Barron Falls, a steep 125 metre waterfall plunging from the rainforest.

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Sharing stories of the ancient rainforest, join the rangers at Kuranda Scenic Railway who will introduce you to Barron Falls and the cassowary, both sacred to the Djabugay people. The historic railway, dating back to the 1890s, runs through 15 hand-cut tunnels across 37 bridges, running from Cairns to Kuranda.

Soft Adventure

Lap up Australia’s adventure capital, with Cairns and surrounds offering something for every type of adventure junkie – from diving, caving, fishing, white-water rafting, jet-skiing and hiking.

Skydive over Cairns or Mission Beach, zipline over a crocodile in the Wildlife Dome, float over the rainforest in a hot air balloon, or bungy jump from a 50-metre tower in Cairns.

Cairns Botanical Gardens

A true inner-city oasis located in Edge Hill, Cairns Botanical Gardens is renowned for having one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in Australia.

Where to eat in Cairns?

Taste the tropics in North Queensland, a truly unique food producing region, from the tastiest mangoes and pineapples you’ll ever eat, wild-caught prawns, and coffee in the highlands. You’ll find an array of places and cuisines to eat in Cairns, from bars and pubs, breweries, cafes, restaurants, food trails and fresh food markets.

Where to find the best Cafes?

There are now so many great cafes in Cairns it can be a little overwhelming. Fuel your caffeine addiction and fill your belly at one of these top picks;

• Caffiend – bursting with hipsters this uber cool café supports the local Tattooed Sailor Coffee Roasters;
• Smith Street Café – run by a true eco-warrior you’ll receive your fix in a cup made of bamboo, wheat and straw;
• If you’re into your atmosphere and 1920s architecture head to The Chambers Café Restaurant and Bar; and for a beat-the-heat cold Vietnamese coffee head to Annee’s Caphe Sua Da.

Where can I find vegetarian and vegan friendly cafes and restaurants?

Cairns and surrounds offer a delectable range of cafes and restaurants where plant-based food is the hero.

For a quick, healthy lunch in the heart of Cairns CBD head to Snoogies, Root Vegetarian for heavenly Asian-Argentinian fusion vegan food, The Lillipad Café offering and overwhelming range and plate size to match, and ‘up the hill’ in Kuranda discover Fruibies, an organic vegan juice bar.

Where to find the best fine dining?

Whilst not in abundance in Cairns itself, Palm Cove takes pride to offer fine dining restaurants, such as Nu Nu Restaurant for WOW-factor beachfront dining, the south-east Asia inspired Temple of Tastes set in tropical gardens, and Reef House Restaurant – Palm Cove’s signature and longest serving restaurant where you’ll dine carefully curated meals on its famous verandah.

Where to find the best food markets?

Whether you’re looking for organic produce or seafood fresh from the trawler, Cairns and surrounding areas offer a huge range of weekend food markets, including The Mission Beach Markets, Port Douglas Markets, Rusty’s Markets, Yungaburra Markets, and more.

Where to find the best cheap eats?

Cairns has stacks of places to pick up a bargain eat. From sweet to savoury, breakfast through to dinner – here are some top picks.

Try a Korean burrito (say what!) at Calaveras Street, Calamari at the Pier Bar, Nasi Goreng at Bagus Café, Beef Roti at Roti Shack, and a Pumpkin and Zucchini curry at Richard’s Salt and Pepper – all for under $15!

Where to shop in Cairns?

From local crafts at the markets, indigenous paintings at Yarraabah Arts and Cultural Precinct, to street fashion at Cairns Central Shopping Centre, and even vintage at the legendary Crackerbox Palace, Cairns city and surrounds offer a range of shopping for you and unique gifts.

For bargain hunters

For the biggest discounts make your way to DFO Cairns, with all the big brands you expect from this outlet.

For fashionistas

Offering the best of fashion boutiques, make your way to the luxury department store Galleria – the shining beacon for all luxe label lovers – think Gucci, and Prada, darling.

Tea Lily offers a more value conscious option with Australian designer labels such as Moss and Spy and Sacha Drake.

For the lovers of vintage!

For indie labels, vintage and more make your way to Oceana Walk Parade. Step into Vintage Seeker and spice up your wardrobe with fashion from the past.

Cairns is home to an armful of outstanding vintage and antique stores, from Kaotica Vintage – for clothing and kitsch-collectables; Kinsella’s Antiques – for antique glassware, furniture and more; Eggplant and Poppy – for their quirky handmade, vintage and upcycling goods; and the mother of all vintage stores, feeding the locals addiction for twenty years is Crackerbox Palace – everything from retro clothes, vinyl, furniture and more.

For everything in between

If you fancy shopping for fast fashion in Cairns at least do it in air-conditioned comfort!

You’ll find everything under one roof at Cairns Central Shopping Centre, or Stockland Cairns Shopping Centre if Kmart is your thing. Another city central shopping centre is Orchid Plaza Shopping Centre.