Cairns, the second-largest tourist attraction in Australia after Uluru, is the sweltering gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Millions of tourists from across the world visit Cairns every year to enjoy boat rides to the Reef. The nearby Daintree rainforest and its wealth of natural attractions are also among the prime reasons to attract visitors to Cairns in large numbers.
Best Places to Visit
Browse through our Cairns City Guide to see numerous must-see attractions here. The major sightseeing opportunities in Cairns include the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree rainforest, Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Atherton Tableland, Barron Gorge and Kuranda Village.
Best Time to Visit
Cairns is best visited during the winter season. Minimum temperatures during this season are mild compared to other regions. The days are stunning with little rainfall. Autumn is also the best time to visit Cairns. It is great to explore the tropical rainforests or the Great Barrier Reef during autumn.
Best Dining Places
The range and quality of dining options in Cairns is vast. Most of the restaurants serve seafood. Tourists love gorging on the barramundi, the giant local game fish, and other fruits of the sea in the restaurants spread all over Cairns and the Daintree region.
Best Places to Stay
There are diverse and abundant accommodations options available in Cairns. Cheap hotels in Cairns are available and so are 5-star resorts. Most of the luxury hotels are found near the Esplanade, while budget friendly hotels can be found a few streets back from the Esplanade in the city centre as well as near the airport.
Best Airlines to Reach
Major international airlines operating flights to Cairns include Qantas Airways, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Virgin Australia, Cathay Pacific Airways, Air New Zealand, and China Eastern Airlines.