Tips on activities

The short story

Cairns and its surroundings are blessed with many places worth seeing and many experiences to be made. You will find a lot of brochures and deals for some of these activities near the reception at the ground floor (or click on the link).

The long story

The Great barrier reef

The great barrier reef is a collection of many reefs. Most of them are submerged at high tide and parts may be above water during low tide. Some reefs are higher and labelled “reef islands” (se below). Many operators go to the great barrier reef. Most of them depart from Cairns (approximately 400 meters from the apartment) and visit two or three reefs during a full day excursion. A few also depart from Port Douglas.

…and yes… the great barrier reef is still well worth a visit…

You have the choice of going out on a dive boat where you either dive (or snorkel) directly from the boat or go with a boat that takes you to a stationary pontoon far out on the reef. A third option is to take a boat to one of the many reef islands.

Reef islands to visit

Green island, Michaelmas Cay and Low isles are examples of reef islands that are based upon a reef that over time gathered sand and some plants. They are based on sand and are low. Frankland islands are five islands where some are based on a reef while others are high and rocky. An example of the latter is also Fitzroy island. Most islands has areas where snorkeling is good with som corals and fish.

Frankland islands

This is a group of five small islands located 50 km south of Cairns. One reef operator makes day trips to one of these islands. There is no resort and no residents on these islands so they are more “untouched” than other reef islands. Very pristine with nice sandy beaches. A good place to start if you have never been snorkeling before. The number of visitors on the island is limited so it is not crowded. The guided island tour is also very interesting. This island tour is our favourite!

Fitzroy island

The island has a resort with a dive shop so there are tourists here. However, the island is quite large so it does not feel crowded. It is still a nice island for a day trip. You can book a package including glass bottom boat, snorkeling and lunch.

Michaelmas Cay

A sandy reef island where a part of it also is a bird sanctuary. You can take a boat from the reef fleet terminal (400 m from the apartment) and go there for a day trip.

Low Isles

Two islands just outside Port Douglas. Tour operators go from Port Douglas to the island for a day trip or half a day trip. Decent snorkeling.

Green island

This island is located a 45 minute boat trip from Cairns. It has very nice beaches, a resort, multiple restaurants and a zoo. The island has very nice beaches but is a bit crowded with tourists.

The Rainforest

The oldest rainforest in the world is found around Cairns and north of Cairns. There are several rainforest stations where you can have a closer look. Some of these are:

Rain Forest Station Kuranda

The “Rain Forest Station Kuranda” is located between Cairns and Kuranda. They have a small zoo and performance from Aboriginal people. One of the main attractions is the jungle tour travelling on an army duck (an amphibious vehicle). The latter is highly recommended.

Skyrail

Skyrail is a cableway letting you glide along the tree tops of the pristine rainforest. There are two rainforest stations along the way where it is recommended you get off the cableway and attend an interesting guided walk (the walk is very easy).

Kuranda scenic railway

Kuranda scenic railway is a slow going rain trip from Cairns to Kuranda. The views are stunning in good weather (and it is usually good weather).

Waterfalls to visit

Barron falls

Located just outside Kuranda ( small village 25 km from Cairns). It is most of the time a tiny stream of water. However, during the wet season it can sometimes become a massive waterfall. The view over the canyon is always beautiful even during the dry season.

Josephine falls

Babinda boulders and the devil’s pools

A small river in Babinda (south of Cairns) with nice rock formations.

Millaa Millaa circuit of falls

Millaa Millaa and the circuit of falls is located on the Atherton tablelands.

Crystal Cascades

Crystal Cascades is located in Cairns.

Food and desserts to be eaten

There are around 400 restaurants in Cairns. Not to mention multiple ice cream shops. Please go and explore this while being in Cairns. Let us mention just a few exotic suggestions:

  • Daintree Ice cream Co: Driving in the jungle north of the Daintree river and suddenly… …a small ice cream factory! They make their ice cream with all sorts of exiting fruits grown at the farm.
  • Charlies chocolate factory: An hour drive south of Cairns. This is the place for chocolate lovers. They grow cocoa and make chocolate. Take their tour and you will know all about chocolate. You will be given the opportunity to taste chocolate. The number of participants on each tour is limited so it requires booking.
  • Gallo Diary land: They don’t grow cocoa but they have a small chocolate factory. They serve a large variety of delicious chocolate made in their own small chocolate factory. This place is a bit touristy and at times a bit crowded.
  • Spirit of Cairns Dinner cruise: Cruising along the Trinity river inlet while dining a buffet. The best place is outside on the aft deck where you have the views. Inside is chilly (due to air conditioning) and loud music making it difficult to talk. This is very nice in good weather.

Other excursions

There are many possible excursions. Let us just mention a few things to do:

Hartley’s crocodile adventures

Hartley’s crocodile adventures is an event park located 40 km north of Cairns. It is a bit touristy but well worth a visit. Don’t miss their crocodile feeding in the morning as well as their crocodile attack show in the afternoon. The boat tour is a must.

Kuranda

Kuranda is a small village 25 km from Cairns. A recommended day trip is to take the scenic railway from Cairns to Kuranda. Spend a couple of hours in Kuranda and take the Skyrail back to Cairns. You will have to take a bus from where the Skyrail ends to get back to Cairns. You can buy this as a day package. In Kuranda I recommend a visit to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. This is a greenhouse with a multitude of large butterflies. You can walk around among the butterflies and they may sit on you.

Beaches north of Daintree river:

Rent a car or go with an organised tour to visit some of the fabulous beaches north of Daintree river. This is also a good opportunity to combine with a visit to Daintree Ice cream Co (see above). Have a nice walk on these beaches but don’t swim there because there are big crocodiles.

Granite Gorge Nature Park

Granite Gorge Nature Park is a nice walk in nature. You will also see plenty of cute rock wallabies (tiny kangaroos similar in size as a normal cat). Located approximately 90 minutes drive from Cairns. This is also a good place for camping.

Mareeba golf course

Go there, rent a golf car for one hour and drive around looking at all kangaroos lying in the grass interestingly observing the golfers (kind of reversed zoo).

Miscellaneous

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