Things to do in the Cairns region

visit the Cairns Esplanade, a bustling meeting place for locals and visitors alike, for a swim in the lagoon, or cook up a storm at one of the many BBQ stations, or just take your fish and chips and relax

dine at one of Cairns’ numerous restaurants and cafes serving local and international cuisine in tropical outdoor style or with sophisticated 5 star service

visit our local theatre or entertainment centre and see local, national and international acts – from comedy to Shakespeare, big-name bands to state orchestras, and modern dance to traditional ballet

visit the Cairns Regional Gallery and be inspired by local and international art, craft and design

visit Rusty’s Markets on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings and discover a huge range of fresh, locally grown tropical fruit and vegetables, as well as coffee, teas, spices and crafts

go bungy jumping from a 50 metre platform in the rainforest

play golf at one of Cairns’ six golf courses, including the championship course at Paradise Palms

take part in a variety of local sporting activities, such as basketball, beach volleyball, ice skating, touch football, soccer, netball and softball

go mountain biking on numerous tracks around Cairns, including the Smithfield Cross Country Loop, which has been used at three world championships

learn to kite surf, the newest adrenalin sport

Try Cable Skiing, $17/hr for JCU students every Tuesday

support the JCU Mariners rugby union club by watching them in action against other district clubs, or even join up. They are always interested in signing up new members and players.

support the Cairns Taipans basketball team in their battle against the national competition

or just relax with friends at the beach or by the pool

go snorkelling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef

go bushwalking or camping in a nearby national park

take a hot air balloon ride on the Atherton Tableland

visit the local islands and swim amongst the coral and tropical fish by day, and enjoy the warm tropical breezes with a cool drink by night. The closest islands are Green Island and Fitzroy Island

visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and learn from the local Indigenous people about the ancient Aboriginal culture, how to throw a boomerang and play the didgeridoo

take a trip on the world’s longest cable car, Skyrail, and glide silently over World Heritage listed tropical rainforest

visit the rainforest village of Kuranda on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which winds through 15 tunnels and past Stoney Creek Falls and Barron Falls

go white water rafting - choose the river and the time of year to experience gentle grade 2 rapids, or wild grade 5 excitement!

visit the local wildlife sanctuaries and meet unique Australian wildlife such as kangaroos, crocodiles and koalas. Sanctuaries include the Cairns Tropical Zoo, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Cairns Rainforest Dome, and Rainforest Habitat

go para-sailing, jet-skiing or water skiing

take a helicopter flight over the reef

go sea kayaking or take a kayak trip along a local river surrounded by rainforest

visit deserted beaches where the rainforest meets the sea

go sailing or wind-surfing

visit the Half Moon Bay Marina after a game of golf at the Half Moon Bay Golf Course

take the plunge and go parachuting or tandem sky-diving

go deep-sea fishing and catch red emperor, coral trout and snapper

Cooktown – Captain James Cook did in 1770! Cooktown is a laid-back seaside village located directly north of Cairns. It can be reached via the unsealed coastal road that requires a serious 4WD (time from Cairns = 5 hours) or there is the inland way, which is an all-weather-road and takes about 4.5 hours.

Cape Tribulation – where the rainforest literally meets the sea. The rainforests are unique here and there are excellent informative visitor centres and boardwalks for truly experiencing this amazing place. Distance from Cairns = 140km.

Port Douglas – a playground for the rich and famous but there is also plenty to do for locals. Just the drive to Port Douglas from Cairns is a treat in itself and you will find many Cairns-ites driving up to Port on a Sunday just to buy an icecream! Distance from Cairns = 70km.

Mossman Gorge – one of the most popular visitor spots in the Wet Tropics. The rainforest walks are spectacular and the creek offers scenic views and opportunities for swimming or relaxing with a picnic. A nice easy day trip is to take in Port Douglas as well. Distance from Cairns = 75km.

Chillagoe – venture westward out to Chillagoe and you won’t be disappointed. This little known gem has a lot to offer, from its world famous limestone caves to its colourful mining history that remains on show for all to see. Distance from Cairns = 205km.

Atherton Tablelands – just west of Cairns and has plenty of rural charm to offer. In a day you can do a scenic circuit from Cairns to Mareeba, Atherton, Yungaburra, Lake Barrine and back to Cairns. Distance = 179km.

Lake Tinaroo – the town and irrigation water supply for the Atherton Tableland, it is set in beautiful Wet Tropics rainforest. It is popular for powered and non-powered water sports and barramundi and redclaw fishing. Picnic areas, camping grounds and motel accommodation are all available. Distance from Cairns = 120km.

Lake Morris – the main water supply for Cairns and is set in the spectacular rainforest covered hills of the Wet Tropics region. It has a kiosk and picnic and BBQ areas for visitors. Distance from Cairns = 16km.

Mission Beach – a popular beach-side village just south of Innisfail. It caters for all tastes, from expensive hotels to backpacker accommodation and there is plenty to do including great beach trails to explore. Distance from Cairns = 160km.

Undara Lava Tubes – volcanic activity from 190,000 years ago has left underground tunnels that snake for miles across a beautiful outback landscape. Some of these tunnels have collapsed and now support rainforest species only found elsewhere in Madagascar and east Africa. Distance from Cairns = 290km.

Hinchinbrook Island – home to one of the most spectacular hiking trails in Australia. The Thorsborne Trail winds its way from one end of this island national park to the other, taking you through some of the most stunning natural scenery in the region. Distance from Cairns = 270km.