Cairns is the heart of Australia's tropics ... a modern, sophisticated city, it is an ideal base to explore the wider region with front door access to World Heritage listed Reef and Islands, Rainforest and Outback. Cairns is a truly tropical city to enjoy a spot of shopping at the many boutique shops, dine al fresco at an award winning restaurant, cafe or bar.
The Great Barrier Reef And Islands
The Great Barrier Reef is a place teeming with marine life and colour. From being pampered at a luxurious island resort, diving with giant potato cod, flying to a deserted sand cay or delving into the deep to see colourful corals even without getting wet, there are many ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef. Totally relax as waves wash ashore or enjoy an array of exciting water sports at Fitzroy Island, Green Island, Bedara Island, Dunk Island, Lizard Island, Double Island, Hinchinbrook Island, Orpheus Island and Poruma Island.
The Cairns Beaches
The Cairns beaches of Machans, Holloways, Yorkeys Knob, Trinity, Palm Cove and Ellis Beach are popular for their laid-back feel and range of apartment, luxury and guest house-style accommodation.
Aboriginal Sights & Culture
The Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region offers some of Australia's best Aboriginal experiences. Various tours around Cairns, Port Douglas, the Daintree, Cooktown, Mission Beach and the Outback reveal the ancestral paintings, modern artworks, body painting, authentic artefacts, indigenous knowledge of bushfoods and medicines, customs and festivals of the Aboriginal, Thursday Islander and Torres Strait Islander people.
Port Douglas To Daintree
The resort town of Port Douglas, north of Cairns, is the jewel at the end of one of Australia's most scenic drives. Port Douglas spoils the traveller with 5-star to budget accommodation, art galleries, markets and award-winning dining experiences second to none. An aquatic atmosphere awaits visitors to Port Douglas with the picturesque Four Mile Beach and the Marina Mirage and its flotilla of cruise and leisure craft providing access to the Great Barrier Reef. Further north are the Mossman Gorge, Daintree rainforest and Cape Tribulation where visitors stay in secluded resorts, eco-retreats or drop in by day tours or hire car.
Cape York Peninsula - The Last Frontier
From Cooktown to the tip of Australia is some of the most spectacular and rugged scenery in the country and one of the world's last wilderness areas. The 'Cape' is an under-explored paradise with thousands of species of tropical birds, beautiful waterfalls and basking crocodiles.
The Cairns International Airport is the first point of entry to Australia for many international visitors and has outbound flights to the USA. The domestic airport services flights from Australian cities and regional centres.
The rail journey between Brisbane and Cairns takes 32 hours. The Queenslander train operates once a week and the Sunlander three times a week. The Great South Pacific Express is a luxurious rail experience. Coaches operate daily express services between Australia's southern cities and Cairns. Many overseas cruise ships call at Cairns.
Limousines, taxis, hire cars, bicycles, buses, and a variety of tours are available.
- The Great Barrier Reef and Islands
- Kuranda Markets
- Indigenous/Aboriginal cultural sites
- Cape York Peninsula and Gulf Savannah
- The Daintree River
- Mission Beach
- Tropical Tablelands and Heritage Rainforest
- Port Douglas
- Heritage Rainforest
- Cape Tribulation
- Barron and Mossman Gorges
