Cairns

Situated in Far North Queensland, Cairns is synonymous with tropical climates and oceanic bliss. With the magnificent Great Barrier Reef on one side and the lush Daintree Rainforest on the other, it’s no wonder that this tourist town attracts almost as many tourists as the major Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

With 3000 coral reefs, 600 islands and 300 coral cays, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral system in the world and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is only natural that the coastal city of Cairns sees scores of tourists coming to admire and experience this reef in every way possible, be it snorkelling, scuba diving, island getaways, or even helicopter rides that presents the beauty of the reefs from above. Its proximity to the ocean means that it offers a range of restaurants, cafes and pubs offering delicious food with amazing views of the coast found along the Cairns Esplanade, with the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon offering visitors a relaxing swimming experience as they admire the beautiful foreshore of the city.

Visitors looking to explore the greenery of Cairns and North Queensland can hop on the Kuranda Scenic Railway from the Cairns Railway Station and be delighted by the most scenic train route of tropical Queensland. Those not wanting to stray too far from Cairns have the option of visiting the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. More of the natural beauty of Cairns can be found at the Flecker Botanic Gardens, home to verdant rainforest species found in the area. Visitors can also learn about Aboriginal plant use in these gardens. 

While it is a haven for natural beauty, Cairns is so much more than that. It also has a thriving art scene, being the city where you can find three huge and real former World War 2 tanks converted into art galleries at the Tanks Arts Centre. The Canopy Arts Centre and Cairns Regional Gallery are also interesting places where one can see the beauty and talent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. To learn more about the rich aboriginal history of the area, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park not only explores the history of the indigenous community, but also has regular cultural performances to showcase the Tjapukai culture.