Back in the day, Cairns was a simple sugar town in the northeast Australia. But it was a long time ago – now Cairns is one of the biggest tourist attractions, at the very heart of Queensland.
Located in between the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is a haven that can offer endless ways to have a great time.
Whether you want to stay active, or prefer to simply relax and enjoy the sights, you can find that’s just right for you.
Here are the 5 places you must visit when in Cairns:
- Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the grandest natures’ wonders in the world – it’s the biggest coral reef system in the world, with almost 3,000 individual reefs and over 900 islands, stretching for over 2,600 kilometers.
Admire the nature that’s swarming with all kind of life – go snorkeling, or simply enjoy a catamaran trip or cruise and see the reef from the deck.
You can also visit many of the islands draped all around the reef, which can each offer a unique experience.
- Daintree Rainforest
One of the oldest living rainforests on earth, the Daintree Rainforest, covers almost 1,200 square miles, going from the Daindree River north to Cooktown. It’s the largest single rainforest in Australia.
You can take adventurous tours through the rainforest – go for a trip through the Bloomfield Track or see the Gurrbi Cave Paintings. Or, if you don’t mind getting wet – you can choose to one of many water activities, like kayaking.
- Cape Tribulation
A really special place that can leave an impression for a lifetime is the Cape Tribulation. Located in between two natures’ wonders – the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, the Cape Tribulation can be considered a paradise on earth.
You will never be bored, as there is just so much to do and to see – you can go kayaking, bush walking, diving, snorkeling, horse riding, and that’s just to start!
- Mossman Gorge
If you want to see and feel the beauty of the rainforest, few places can compare to the Mossman Gorge. Whether you want to take a walk, take a dip in one of many swimming holes and just enjoy the sense of peace that the Gorge helps create.
- Kuranda
About a half hour from Cairns is the well-known village of Kuranda – a big tourist attraction for over a century. There lie the spectacular Barron Falls and the amazing natural beauty that surrounds it.
But in Kuranda you’ll find much more than just a beautiful landscape.
There are plenty of attractions, including horse riding, river boating, quad bike tours, the Koala Gardens, Birdworld and many more things that you can enjoy while at Kuranda.
Cairns is emerging as the tropical capital of Queensland, and for good reason. The city has great things to do itself – it is vibrant with its cultural and night life – but what really separates Cairns from other places is its natural surroundings.
You’ll have a hard time finding another place that has so many natures’ wonders all in one place. So if you ever visit Cairns, it would be a shame if you wouldn’t find the time to see at least some of the many beautiful places that Cairns has to offer.
Hayley Woodward is a Melbourne based travel writer. When Halyley is not busy writing or researching her work, she enjoys little getaways to the Gold Coast area, and it being whale season right now, enjoys travelling with brisbane whale watching company, Whales in Paradise.
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