If you enjoy getting out in nature, then you’ll love visiting Far North Queensland. There are so many incredible places to explore in the region, like the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, the idyllic beach towns of Port Douglas, and impressive waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands. The possibilities are endless.

While most can be done as a day trip from the city, personally I’d recommend spending just a few days in Cairns before hiring a car and basing yourself in a couple of these spots. There really is so much to do in FNQ that a few odd days here and there won’t be doing it justice.

What can I expect?

Locally pronounced ‘Cans’, is probably the most chilled-out city you’ll visit in Australia. But calling it a city gives the impression of a bustling, busy place, yet it’s neither of those things.

It is, in fact, more chilled out than a hog on a roast, and it often feels like one too thanks to its year-round tropical climate.

This is why many people who first visit Cairns, particularly those unfamiliar with remote Queensland towns (like I was, when I first arrived fresh off the boat from Europe in 2013), may think it’s got a slightly “weird” vibe, for want of a better word. The only rush hour you’ll find here are people waiting to board reef trips.

However, when you start getting on Cairns time and spend more time here, you’ll discover that it’s actually quite charming, wonderfully unpretentious and in perpetual holiday mode.

The city itself offers an ever-growing list of cool things to do, and visiting is a good way to mix up your FNQ trip. I used to love taking a scenic walk along the esplanade to watch the pelicans, or hitting the hiking trails— there’s an endless supply of goodies within a half-hour drive. You can also enjoy the day here by taking a relatively cheap and speedy ferry to drop-dead gorgeous islands for the day to snorkel. And at the end of the day, grab a seat and sundowner at Hemingway’s Brewery or Salt House as you watch the boats come in.

For those who haven’t been back in a while, Cairns has changed quite a lot over the past decade. If it were an age, I’d say it was 16 and beginning to discover who it is. While at heart it’s still a tourist town, it’s ditched many of the cheesy tourist shops of late in favour of awesome restaurants and bars, suave hotels, cultural offerings, and it’s growing into more of a hipster hangout.

Okay, let’s get cracking. Here are my top 15 things to do in Cairns! ✣

🌊 Cairns Quick Guide

Top 5 Must-Dos:

1. Great Barrier Reef snorkelling
2. Fitzroy Island day trip
3. Crystal Cascades or Behana Gorge swim
4. Marina & Esplanade walk
5. Aboriginal cultural experience

⏰ How Long: 2-5 days maximum
📅 Best Time: May-October (dry season)
💰 Budget: $260-300 for reef trips
🚗 Getting Around: Car hire recommended
💡 Top Tip: Book reef tours a few weeks ahead

15 Best Things to do in Cairns, Australia for 2026

Greater Cairns includes the city centre, outer suburbs and the 10 Northern beaches (which include the tourists’ favourite, Palm Cove). This post highlights the best things to do in Greater Cairns, as well as its neighbouring reefs and islands. If you want to know more about what to do outside of Cairns, then check out my other articles at the end of this post.

1. Scenic Marina & Esplanade Walk

Whenever I head somewhere new, I love to walk around first and get my bearings. I’ve mapped out one of my favourite city walks in Cairns, which is really chilled-out and scenic, and a great starting place to soak up the local vibes. Often you’ll see pelicans along the esplanade (the birdlife here is pretty awesome), and there’s a huge, free saltwater pool to cool off in if you get a bit sticky (check out more about Cairns Lagoon).

To begin the 1.7k trail, start at Hemingway’s Brewery (who do amazing craft beer— you should stop for a pint!) and walk along the Marina & Esplanade. If you’re here during the day, then Muddy’s Cafe is a good spot for brunch or coffee before heading back. 

At sunset, we like Riley’s rooftop bar Roccos for a sundowner and panoramic views of the city. Or, for a more casual option (and if you forget your shoes… it’s no thongs allowed!), their ground-floor bar at Paper Crane is a great alternative.

2. Get Local at Rusty’s Market

Rusty’s is a bit of an institution in Cairns. It’s quite hard to imagine it now, but it started from “a cloud of marijuana” (or so the story goes) during the town’s hippy days. When a group of flower people approached local car-lover Rusty Rees and asked if they could use his garage to set up a Saturday market, it marked the humble beginning of Rusty’s.

Now it’s the heart of the town every weekend, offering a range of locally sourced fruit and veg- including every Queensland banana you can imagine. You’ll also find a range of Asian staples, local coffee, deli goods, fresh coconuts and Cairns’ best Thai som tum (papaya salad), plus much more. Try to come on an empty stomach to sample some food!

As well as the offerings, I love the vibe here. If you want to see the real heart and soul of the city and mingle with the locals, then it’s the place to be. Check the market website for more deets.

3. Snorkel or Dive The Great Barrier Reef 🐠

Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is undoubtedly at the top of the list for tourists in Cairns, and it should be. Whilst the reef has experienced its fair share of stress from climate change (like most coral reefs globally), there are still plenty of awe-inspiring sites to discover that will make you fall in love with it, as it did with us.

To see the best of Down Under, you need to head to the Outer Reef. It takes longer to get there, between 60 and 90 minutes, but it houses a greater diversity of marine life. We visited one of these spots near Port Douglas and saw everything from turtles to rays and healthy coral gardens— I wrote an article about our experience here.

Although there are many prized outer reef spots near Cairns, I purposefully went from Port Douglas as guest numbers are often kept lower. The reef operator I went with caps numbers at 33, whereas an equivalent tour from Cairns is usually at least double, if not hundreds if you visit a pontoon.

However, if you’re staying in Cairns and want to keep things local, I’d recommend Passions of Paradise. They’re one of the few remaining small, family-run reef operators in Cairns, who have been running tours here since 1987.

As an eco-certified operator, Passions is involved in several conservation projects and is fully committed to sustainability. If the weather permits, then their sailing catamaran is also primarily powered by wind, which is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.

PoP have permission to moor at a number of outer reef spots, and they visit two on the day chosen by the skipper. Sites are suitable for both snorkellers— who can enjoy the shallow reef, and for Scuba Divers— who can descend to access reef walls, the ocean bed, and deeper bommies. Check out their full-day tour and reviews on GetYourGuide, or see their diving options here.

Catamaran Vs Pontoon

As it’s a longer ride to the Outer Reef and you’ll be snorkelling off the boat all day, it can get pretty lively out there, so you’ll need an adventurous spirit! While I’d personally prefer heading to the outer reef on a catamaran, if you’re not great on water or have a young family, then you may prefer an Outer Reef Pontoon.

Pontoons are stable, spacious platforms that some operators moor at. They offer easier access to the water and a few more bells and whistles, such as an underwater observatory and a sun deck with day beds. However, expect them to have a larger capacity for guests as well.

If you’d prefer spending the day on one, then Reef Magic would be the crew I’d go with. They have the newest pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns (built in 2022), which runs solely on sustainable energy. It’s perched on Moore Reef, catering to both snorkellers and divers, and tours include a marine biologist. While they have capacity for 450, they cap numbers at 250. Check out their full-day tour and reviews on GetYourGuide, or visit their website.

Remember to pack...

reef safe sunscreen! 🙌🏼 Most commercial brands have harmful chemicals that can induce a bleaching response in coral. Try to go for a natural or mineral-based sunscreen where zinc or titanium dioxide is the active ingredient. Avoid aerosols and those containing oxybenzone (which also goes by about 30 other names!). I usually go for the Surf Life Saving range, which you can find in town.

4. Take a Gin Distillery Tour & Tasting at Wolf Lane

Brought to you by The Three Wolves – aka, the pack behind Cairns’ first distillery, award-winning gins and four awesome local bars. We’re usually here for a cocktail or two at ‘Distillery Bar’, which is open in the evenings from Tuesday to Saturday (I highly recommend their Davidson Plum sour!). It’s quite small and intimate, and getting popular, so you may need to wait for a seat on weekends. Or you can cross the alley to check out their flagship bar, The Three Wolves.

During the day, from Tuesday to Fri-yay, they hold daily tastings and tours at Wolf Lane Distillery—find out more on their website.

5. Visit Crystal Cascades Waterfall

Crystal Cascades is the locals’ favourite swimming hole and one of the closest waterfalls to central Cairns. I like coming here in the late afternoon to cool off when it’s a bit quieter, and it’s nice to see the locals coming together for a splash after a long day.

To get here, you’ll need to drive or get an Uber (there’s no public transport) and follow the signs from Redlynch.

To access the waterfall, it’s an easy 1.2k walk along a well-maintained path where you’ll pass a series of freshwater swimming holes. Stop anywhere for a dip or wait for the main cascade and pool at the end. It’s pretty deep—one dude who was jumping off the rocks told me that he held his breath for 8 seconds in the water and still couldn’t reach the bottom! I didn’t brave the jump though. 😄

(Insider Tip: Shh, Fairy Falls is just a short bushwalk away from the car park at Crystal Cascades for a quieter waterfall alternative!)

6. Cairns Urban Walking Tour

According to a survey by MoveHub, Cairns was voted the second most hipster city in Australia after the Gold Coast! A surprising and unlikely candidate, you may think, particularly for anyone who visited Cairns 10 or 20 years ago.

But recently the city’s seen a peppering of cool new places pop up, from vintage clothing boutiques and artisanal coffee stores, to vegan eateries, graffiti-lined laneways and record stores. Many heritage buildings have also been beautifully restored.

Taking a self-guided wander to find some of these places is a great way to spend a couple of hours. Or you could head out with Georgia, who holds Cairns’ first and only guided walking tour. They run on Fridays at 10 am— see her website for more details, or check here to book. 

Good to know

I walked past the inconspicuous walkway, Oceana Walk, for a good year until I realised it’s a small hidden gem. Check it out!

7. Island Time

From Cairns, it doesn’t take long to reach some local tropical islands. Fitzroy and Green Island are the nearest two, and both can be reached within 45 minutes for some chill time.

We personally prefer Fitzroy for a day trip because it’s bigger, so it feels less busy, the vibes are good, and it’s great for both snorkelling and hiking. The hike here is actually one of my favourites in Far North Queensland, and the snorkelling took my breath away. I was actually expecting the coral here to be dead, as I didn’t see anything on my first visit years ago. While you won’t find amazing coral all around the island- as with most islands these days, the fringing reef has struggled with rising temperatures, combined with people that step on or pick the coral- there is a great spot on Nudey Beach that kept us entertained for hours.

To find out the best snorkelling spot on Fitzroy Island and details about the hike, be sure to read my article first.

Just like Green Island, Fitzroy has one resort. We wished we stayed over on our second visit as we were enjoying the island so much, but I’d probably only book one or two nights, as similarly to Greenie it’s said to need some TLC (and the restaurant is average at best). However, an added extra on Fitzroy is that you can also camp overnight, which we did once.

Green Island Vs Fitzroy 

Green Island is also stunning. It’s lined with powder-soft white sand, and it’s slightly closer to the outer reef so the snorkelling is marginally better.

However, as it’s flat and much smaller than Fitzroy (just 12 hectares compared to Fitzroy’s 339), it can quickly fill up and feel crammed with day trippers and doesn’t offer the same epic hikes. I remember it being really busy when we came last, mainly with large groups of Chinese tourists. However that was 10 years ago, and the region has seen an ease in mass visitors post-Covid. Daily ferry trips to Greenie are slightly pricier too, at $107 per adult.

Green Island Resort receives marginally better reviews than Fitzroy, though my Melburnian buddy who came here a few years ago said it’s in need of an update and was disappointed with the food offerings (I’m not sure if there have been any upgrades since then). Staying here is also four times the price of Fitzroy Island, although transfers are included. 

8. Explore Cairns Botanic Gardens

The Cairns Botanic Gardens really surprised me. For some reason I was expecting it to be dull and boring, but it was actually one of the nicest days out I’ve had in Cairns!

Because of the tropical climate here, it’s extremely well-suited to house lots of beautifully weird and interesting plants. Even though Cairns isn’t exactly a monster urban jungle, it was nice to escape the concrete and hit the green. It really feels like you’re in the rainforest, and it’s only 10 minutes up the road!

Cairns Botanic Gardens is positioned in the leafy and trendy Edge Hill neighbourhood, which houses a few cool restaurants you could sneak off to (check out Guerrilla, Noa or Ozmosis).

The gardens are split into several sections—highlights were the Aboriginal Plant Use Garden, the historic Flecker Garden and the Rainforest Boardwalk. We didn’t have enough time to see everything, as it’s huge. Probably best to spare a good 3-4 hours.

If you’re more keen to spot local fauna than flora, you could also come here for a special night walk. Much of the wildlife in Far North Queensland is nocturnal, so heading out with a guide after dark is a great way to spot them. (Otherwise, check out my post on places to find them yourself in the Atherton Tablelands).

9. Hit the Northern Beaches for watersports

When it’s time for beach therapy, you should check out one (or more) of Cairns’ 10 Northern Beaches. Palm Cove is the most popular and my favourite. It’s pretty and palm-lined, with the widest range of hotels, great restaurants (don’t miss Nunu!) and boutiques, though it still has a really chilled vibe.

Many of the others are generally pretty local and quiet—I like Trinity, Clifton, and Holloway’s Beach as alternatives. There’s also a nudist beach in the mix (Buchans Point), so whatever rocks your boat eh! 

Personally, I think the further up the coast you go (to Palm Cove & Ellis Beach), the more beautiful the beaches get… but maybe I’m just being spoilt, most are pretty hot. Ellis Beach is also a nice place to camp (beachfront cabins are available too), and if you’re without camping gear, you can rent it here at a pretty good rate. To reach the beaches, it’s easiest to drive. Otherwise, take an Uber or a local bus that heads up to Palm Cove. Here’s some watersports fun you can do while you’re here.

Kayak or SUP to Double Island

If you’ve visited Palm Cove and ever wondered what that saucy double-breasted island is across the water, then that’s Double Island! Kayaking or SUP-ing there is a really fun, low-impact way to journey over, and you can spend some time snorkelling there when you arrive.

This place was once an all-island ‘exclusive’ retreat for the glitterati, with the likes of Brad Pitt, Jenny Aniston and Keanu Reeves coming for a stay (apparently the resort added a gym so he could train for The Matrix). It was even suggested as a possible honeymoon destination for Prince Wills & Kate-  I don’t think I could have made up a better intro myself.

Whilst the resort is sadly in disrepair since cyclone Yasi hit in 2011, the beaches are still very much open to day-trippers. It’s about a 1.7k/half hour kayak over (longer for SUP), and amongst the surrounding reef, you’re likely to spot a range of marine life, including Green & Hawksbill turtles and rays. Check out the tours on offer with Palm Cove Watersports, or the cool Kiwis at Pacific Watersports.

(Insider Tip: Shh, at the northern side of the island there are some secret hidden caves to explore!)

Kiteboarding

There’s quite a big following of kiteboarders and foilers in Cairns, so the Northern Beaches are a popular hangout. If you have your own gear then just rig up solo at Yorkeys Knob (I know, epic name), or if you’re a beginner then get in touch with Andy and Luke at Pacific Watersports. The Sailor and I had a few lessons with these cool Kiwis and they’re really good. Depending on the tide, they’ll either take you to Yorkeys which has a nice flat lagoon further down the beach (their main spot) or to Double Island opposite Palm Cove.

Fore more spot details or for a list of others nearby, check out Kiterr.com.

Good to know 🪼...

The wet season hits Cairns from around late October to May, which also coincides with stinger season. This is where jellyfish may be present in the water, including box jellys and irukandji, as they like the warm ocean temperatures (the first big storms in October usually mark the start of stinger season).

Most of the northern beaches are patrolled by Surf Lifesavers who put up a stinger net during these months for people to swim [map]. Like anything, the net is not 100% ‘stinger proof’, but it provides a high level of safety- I have happily swum in it numerous times without extra protection. If you plan on SUP-in or doing watersports outside of this patrolled area, you should wear a full-length stinger suit. Most reef operators have them included for free in the price of a tour, or you can buy one at most watersports shops (visit BCF, or dive shops like ProDive in Cairns).

10. Visit the Cairns Museum

On holiday, I’m not usually much of a museum person, but I always think you should leave knowing something new about where you’ve visited. Since checking out the Cairns Museum, it really piqued my curiosity about Far North Queensland’s short but colourful, and at times, dark history.

You’ll find out about the region’s Traditional Owners, local characters like Rusty Rees and how Cairns transformed from humble origins into a thriving international city. This place is really well curated and makes for a great rainy-day activity or a way to escape the heat.

11. Immerse yourself in Aboriginal Culture

Cairns and Far North Queensland have one of the largest Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander populations in Australia (17%). One thing I love about living here is learning about their culture and connection to country.

We did an awesome Indigenous tour with local legend Juan Walker at Walkabout Adventures, who’s based an hour up the coast near Port Douglas. We spend the day learning about bushcraft, Bama culture and spearfished for the FNQ delicacy, mudcrabs! I wrote about the experience here.

When you walk around Cairns, you’ll notice many sculptures by local Aboriginal artists, galleries and information boards by the esplanade. Australia’s leading Indigenous Arts Fair (CIAF) is also held in Cairns every year (August 18-22 for 2021). But if you want to delve deeper into Bama culture, here are two more experiences I’d recommend from cairns.

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel offers tours to the Great Barrier Reef from a unique perspective with indigenous storytelling. This eco-certified tour incorporates Aboriginal culture with a full day of snorkelling or diving at two sites. Currently, this is the only experience of its kind in Australia. Check out more details here.

Mandingalbay

This three-hour eco-cultural tour is led by Mandingalbay Yidinji Indigenous Rangers who’ll take you to their lesser-known land around Cairns for an immersive experience. It begins with a boat ride across Trinity Inlet, where you’ll be welcomed to country with a cleansing smoke ceremony. After you’ll be led on a guided walk through the rainforest, learning more about bush medicine, tucker and their connection to the land. Check their reviews and book here, or visit their website. 

12. Visit Cairns Gallery

Cairns Gallery is really well curated with some great exhibitions on offer— and it’s free! The Archibald Prize even made it here in 2021 (the first time it’s entered QLD soil!), and I’ve seen some other insightful Aboriginal artwork and local contemporary pieces too. To find out more about current exhibitions, visit the gallery’s website.

13. Barron Falls & Hiking in Karunda

Apparently, hippies first moved to Cairns in the 60’s and set up a shanty settlement on Holloways Beach (one of the Northern Beaches), before moving on to Kuranda a decade later. The village is still a hippie heaven, and it’s surrounded by lush rainforest just a 20-minute drive from Smithfield in Cairns. We love coming here to soak up the unique local vibes, visit the local market, and to hike one of my favourite Cairns trails. If you’re lucky, then you might also spot a cassowary.

If it’s your first time in Karunda, then I’d recommend stopping by Din Din Barron Falls to initiate your visit. It’s a really impressive waterfall that shouldn’t be missed. The walk to it is on an easy 500m boardwalk through the rainforest, which is scenic and beautiful with lots of lush vegetation.

The best time to see the cascade is during the wet season (November to April), after a good dumping of rain, but it flows all year round. There’s a railway station right next to the falls too, which I think may be one of the most scenic stops in Queensland.

For some extra fun (or if you don’t have a car!), you may want to visit Karuna by scenic railway ($85 AUD return), or combine a return trip with the skyrail ($140 return).

After, if you’re feeling lazy and aren’t much of a hiker, then head straight to Karunda village. Check out the Original Rainforest Market, open every day from 10 am-3 pm, and refuel at Le Petit Cafe for a great savoury (or sweet) crepe, or tuck into a good snag and beer at German Tucker.

Glacier Rock Hike // 9.5k return/3.5-4 hours/moderate

As the walk to Barron Falls is short and busy, it’s nice to combine it with a longer, quieter hike nearby. There is a whole variety of trails to explore, which are listed in this brochure – choose your own or take my personal favourite, the Douglas Track to Glacier Rock. It starts off in dense rainforest which has some interesting flora, and at the summit you’re treated to a ripper view of Cairns, the Northern Beaches & nearby ranges. This is also cassowary territory, so keep your eyes peeled!

To get here: follow your GPS to ‘Speewah Regional Park Campground’ and park up just before it, opposite the Djina-Wu Track sign. Take this 765m trail, which begins on a boardwalk before leading you to a junction where you’ll begin the Douglas Track. It’s really well signed and undulated, so you won’t get lost.

Then after about 1.5 hours (approx. 4.5k) you’ll come to a crest with a sign to your right saying ‘Glacier Rock’. Take it and walk 250m up to the lookout for incredible views. We completed the return track in 3.5 hours— read the full trail low-down in my article.

While we didn’t see any cassoways on the trail, we saw a few of their poos and I’m pretty sure we heard one nearby, but they’re so hard to spot sometimes in the thick rainforest! However, we were lucky to see two crossing the road as we drove back to Cairns.

14. Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures

It took me three years of living in Far North Queensland to visit Hartley’s, because something in my head was telling me it would be a bit naff, but it wasn’t at all! It was our last experience in Cairns that turned out to be one of my favourite days out here.

Perched just 40-minutes up the road in Wangetti (or just 15 minutes from Palm Cove), their space occupies 25 acres of rehabilitated land that was once used for farming. Now its been transformed into a thriving habitat for its resident animals and local wildlife. While they have many crocodiles, their sanctuary is also home to many other Aussie greats, like wombats, cassowaries, roos and koalas.

My memories of Hartley’s were of laughter, the cutest koala experience- when a bunch of them became very active for cuddles before feeding time, and the best croc show I’ve seen in Australia (even better than the Australian Zoo, sorry Robert Irwin). The guy leading it was a very entertaining purebred Queenslander who demonstrated the ‘death roll’, among other things. The boat cruise was also lots of fun.

Hartley’s are open from 8:30 to 5pm, and tickets are $48 for adults / $24 for kiddos – read their reviews and book here, or see more details on their web. Also worth noting that Wangetti is a lot drier than Cairns and receives about half the rainfall, so check the forecast as it might be a good wet Cairns day activity. 

15. Behana Gorge & Clamshell Falls

I love Wooroonooran National Park. It’s my favourite rainforest region near Cairns, and a solid second-place winner for me in FNQ, after the Daintree Rainforest. It’s home to the highest peaks in Queensland, which means there’s plenty of epic waterfalls and swimming holes, and the rainforest here is so lush.

Located at the top end of the park, Behana Gorge is probably the best swimming hole closest to Cairns because it’s so serene and not touristy or busy, but more of a local’s hangout.

To get here: drive to the start of the trail [map], which is just a 35-minute drive from Cairns. To access the gorge and falls, you need to hike there, but it’s a moderately easy 3.3 km walk. Although the route is on a paved trail, it’s still pretty because you’re in the rainforest. We saw quite a few families heading there for the day when we came (just be careful on the rocks, which can get slippery).

16. Bonus waterfall 💦

If you’re up for a longer drive, then the best waterfall I’ve experienced in FNQ and beyond is Nandroya Falls. It’s a 1h40 drive from Cairns [map] or just an hour from Behana Gorge. Unlike the Atherton Tablelands, which can get busy with visitors and tour buses (especially on the waterfall circuit), the east side of the park is more remote and peaceful. I loved the hike too, which was so peaceful and lush- I selfishly wanted to keep it to myself!

Alternatively, if you have a 3-day weekend spare, you can follow my weekend itinerary, which trails down this way. It includes details of the hikes, falls and where to stay:

1. Day 1: Behana Gorge and Clamshell Falls (as above)
2. Day 2: Nandroya Falls (my favourite waterfall in FNQ ❤️)
3. Day 3: Paronella Park (a historic castle in the rainforest)

Extra things to do in Cairns!

If you need a bit more Cans juice, I’m squeezing out a few bonus activities to keep you out of trouble.

More Cairns attractions

• For something extra special 🚁 : Consider a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef in a chopper. My friends did this once from Port Douglas for their honeymoon, and it was a highlight of their trip.
• For the kiddos 🐠 : The Cairns Aquarium receives great reviews, if you have little ones not quite ready to board a reef trip, or it’s a rainy day.
• For the thrillseekers 🎢 : Personally, I’m not sure I have the guts for it! But Zac Efron sure made it look fun in his S2 show Down to Earth. Adrenaline junkies, consider a bungy jump with AJ Hackett.
• For the laughs 😂 : I love a good comedy night, even on holiday (I’m very deprived of any form of entertainment at the moment in Saigon, where I edit this!). For some good Ozzie bants and craic, check out the schedule at CPAC.
• For the sunset lovers 🥂 : Sometimes it’s nice to get out on the water without getting your hair wet. I did a sunset sail from Port Douglas, and it was one of the loveliest afternoons out on the boat, complete with bubbles and canapes. This one with Bad Fishy looks like a good option in Cairns.

Where to stay in Cairns?

There are too many places to choose from in Cairns, but my favourite stays are those just a short walk from the Marlin Marina. Start your arvo with a quick welcome bevy at the Salt House, and if you resist the amazing smell of the wood-fired pizza, then good on you, go explore and check out some of these awesome Cairns eateries. Finish off with a nightcap at the Three Wolves, and then it’s just a few steps before you snuggle in a comfy bed. Happy days.🌈

* * *

Yikes, that was a long one. Well done if you lasted to the end! I hope you found my article on things to do in Cairns useful. Over the years, it’s become one of my favourite Australian cities, and during my last FNQ stint, it’s been nice to experience a more local side to the city.

If you’d like to share your experience in Cairns or have a question, don’t be shy, comment below or send a DM.