We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers: Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox. Mac: Safari.

Cairns

Free Newsletter

Interested in Cairns?

We'll send you updates with the latest deals, reviews and articles for Cairns each week.

Explore the world! TripAdvisor has reviews and information on over 400,000 locations, including:
Travel Destinations
Vacation Specials

Things to do in Cairns

Hotels travelers are raving about...

All hotels in Cairns (79)
Free Guide to Cairns
Get your guide to the top local hotels, restaurants and things to do
Plan Your Perfect Australian Holiday
Free Cairns Guide

Get your quick guide to the top hotels, restaurants and things to do.

Grab it and Go!

Cairns weather essentials

Month
High
Low
Precip
May
79°F 26°C
66°F 18°C
4 in 11 cm
Jun
76°F 24°C
64°F 17°C
2 in 5 cm
Jul
76°F 24°C
61°F 16°C
1 in 3 cm
Aug
76°F 24°C
61°F 16°C
1 in 2 cm
Sep
79°F 26°C
64°F 17°C
1 in 3 cm
Oct
82°F 27°C
68°F 20°C
2 in 4 cm
More weather for Cairns
 | 
Powered by
Weather Underground
Traveler recommended attractions
Rating Name
Muddy's Playground
Ollie #1 of 23 attractions in Cairns
5 of 5 stars 53 reviews
Attraction type  Playgrounds
map
|
directions
Cairns Esplanade Swimming Lagoon
Ollie #2 of 23 attractions in Cairns
4.5 of 5 stars 331 reviews
Owner description: Escape the summer heat at one of Cairns’ best known landmarks, the Esplanade Lagoon. Set on the Cairns foreshore overlooking the Barrier Reef and...... more » Owner description: Escape the summer heat at one of Cairns’ best known landmarks, the Esplanade Lagoon. Set on the Cairns foreshore overlooking the Barrier Reef and Trinity Inlet, the 4800 sq metre saltwater swimming lagoon offers locals and tourists a year round safe swimming location. Saltwater is pumped from the inlet and filtered through a state of the art filtration system, to meet Australian Standards. The kids can enjoy the sandy edges, build sand castles and play in shallow water. On the other side of the Lagoon, visitors can lounge on the timber decks in moderate shade. Shady trees, landscaped gardens and open spaces all contribute to the leisurely atmosphere on the Esplanade The Lagoon is closed for cleaning every Wednesday from 6am - Midday ** NOTICE** Lagoon Programmed Maintenance Temporary Closure 2012. Our beautiful lagoon will need some routine maintenance in 2012. We will be upgrading and all sorts of things that helps to keep the lagoon working and that help to make the lagoon a wonderful place for you to visit. These works will require that the Lagoon is drained of all water.The lagoon will be closed for swimming from 6 June 2012 for up to four weeks. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and are sure that you will understand that this temporary closure is necessary to allow us to maintain the very high standards we strive for and that the lagoon's visitors expect. Please note that the Lagoon Parklands will still be fully accessible and that Muddy's playground and the Funship Playground will still be open. « less
Attraction type  Water Parks; Beaches; Amusement/ Theme Parks
Distance  0.5 miles from city center
Atherton Tablelands
Ollie #3 of 23 attractions in Cairns
4.5 of 5 stars 83 reviews
Attraction type  Nature/ Wildlife Areas
Tablelands, Waterfalls, and Spanish Castle
Ollie #4 of 23 attractions in Cairns
5 of 5 stars 25 reviews
Attraction type  Nature/ Wildlife Areas
map
|
directions
Cairns Botanic Gardens
Ollie #5 of 23 attractions in Cairns
4.5 of 5 stars 39 reviews
Attraction type  Gardens
Distance  2.6 miles from city center
map
|
directions
Skydive Mission Beach
Ollie #6 of 23 attractions in Cairns
5 of 5 stars 14 reviews
Attraction type  Other
Distance  0.3 miles from city center
Royal Flying Doctor Service - Cairns Base
Ollie #7 of 23 attractions in Cairns
4.5 of 5 stars 9 reviews

Why is this worth doing? Many visitors pass through Cairns without learning much about life in Queensland beyond the tourist sights. The city is modern and built up but it is... more »

Attraction type  Tourist/ Visitor Centers
map
|
directions
Barrier Aviation
Ollie #8 of 23 attractions in Cairns
4.5 of 5 stars 11 reviews
Attraction type  Tours; Reefs
Distance  2.9 miles from city center
Trinity Beach
Ollie #9 of 23 attractions in Cairns
4.5 of 5 stars 18 reviews
Attraction type  Beaches
map
|
directions
Savannahlander - Day Tours
Ollie #10 of 23 attractions in Cairns
4.5 of 5 stars 7 reviews
Owner description: The Savannahlander is a unique train journey that starts from Cairns, Australia. Using the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway it winds through he...... more » Owner description: The Savannahlander is a unique train journey that starts from Cairns, Australia. Using the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway it winds through he rainforest to the village of Kuranda and beyond. For the day tripper Mareeba is the best destination - with a bus connection back to Cairns via Kuranda. For those wanting a train trip through the Australian outback the train continues on to the end of the line at Forsayth. There are side visits to the Chillagoe caves, Cobbold Gorge and the Undara Lava Tubes available. « less
Attraction type  Scenic Railroads
Distance  2.4 miles from city center
Daintree Walkabout
Ollie #11 of 23 attractions in Cairns
4.5 of 5 stars 23 reviews
Attraction type  Nature/ Wildlife Areas
map
|
directions
Gallo DairyLand
Ollie #13 of 23 attractions in Cairns
4 of 5 stars 33 reviews
Attraction type  Farms
Distance  32.0 miles from city center
map
|
directions
Centenary Lakes Botanic Gardens
Ollie #14 of 23 attractions in Cairns
4.5 of 5 stars 31 reviews
Attraction type  Bodies of Water; Nature/ Wildlife Areas
Distance  0.0 miles from city center
map
|
directions
Cairns Golf Club
Ollie #15 of 23 attractions in Cairns
4.5 of 5 stars 6 reviews
Attraction type  Golf Courses
Distance  3.2 miles from city center
Crocodile Explorer
Book Now
Ollie #16 of 23 attractions in Cairns
4 of 5 stars 27 reviews
Owner description: Trinity Inlet is a unique wilderness area only a short distance from Cairns. Discover the maze of waterways and mangroves, home to wild crocodiles,...... more » Owner description: Trinity Inlet is a unique wilderness area only a short distance from Cairns. Discover the maze of waterways and mangroves, home to wild crocodiles, over 70 species of fish and an array of birdlife. Get up close and personal with crocodiles via our exclusive access to the Cairns Crocodile Farm. Crocodile Explorer departs from Cairns daily at 9.30am & 1.30pm from the Reef Fleet Terminal. « less
Attraction type  Bodies of Water
Paradise Palms Country Club
Ollie #17 of 23 attractions in Cairns
3.5 of 5 stars 21 reviews
Attraction type  Golf Courses
map
|
directions
Cairns Wildlife Dome
Ollie #18 of 23 attractions in Cairns
3.5 of 5 stars 72 reviews

Cairns Wildlife Dome is an all-weather wildlife exhibit enclosed by a 20 metre high glass dome on top of Cairns' iconic Reef Hotel Casino. You’ll be immersed in a replicated... more »

Attraction type  Nature/ Wildlife Areas
Distance  0.2 miles from city center
map
|
directions
JUTE Theatre Company
Ollie #19 of 23 attractions in Cairns
4.5 of 5 stars 4 reviews
Attraction type  Theaters
Distance  0.6 miles from city center
map
|
directions
The Reef Casino
Ollie #20 of 23 attractions in Cairns
3.5 of 5 stars 63 reviews
Attraction type  Bar/ Clubs; Casinos
Distance  0.3 miles from city center
Cairns
What's Nearby:
Click map pins for more information.
See all sites
Cruise Critic

The ultimate cruise resource: cruise reviews, deals, news and advice.

SeatGuru

The world's most comprehensive source for airline seats, airline info, & in-flight amenities.

Family Vacation Critic

The best family vacations start here.

Best beach houses of 2012 »