Places to visit in Cairns

The St Monica's Cathedral is a Catholic Church in Cairns. This nondescript Building which most people miss is a delight in itself. A witness to the battle of Coral Sea, this unknown building is a hidden gem and a wonder of architecture and interior design. There are a number of stained glass windows of which 24 depict the creation. It is a modern Cathedral which does not require any sort of religious affiliation and it is one of the best places to visit in Cairns.

Visit this church on a sunny day to see it in its full glory. The interior of this church holds its own even in comparison with bigger churches. Here the friendly staff and the caretaker are more than happy to explain the illustrious history and architecture of the Cathedral. Do attend the church on Sundays at 10 AM to listen to the mesmerizing music of the church choir.

Location: 181 Abbott St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia

Highlight: Come here for the stained glasses and the church choir.

Yourkeys Knob is your ideal Beach front Destination for your holiday in Cairns. You are encouraged to go and find your own piece of personal paradise on the golden treasures that lay here. The wide expanse of sand covered by a palm-fringed hammock will surely seduce you. With a large stinger net, you can swim all you want in pure unrestricted pleasure. There is just so much to do that it will be really hard to explore all of it in just one day and it is one of the amazing tourist places in Cairns Australia.

Windsurfing and sailing are big attractions at Yorkeys. With Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef nearby, your nature dose is never too far away. To complement that there are so many city bus tours, pick-ups and you can obviously rent your own car out there. When you do get hungry, do not forget to eat at the open air Yorkeys knob boating club which offers bistro meals. While eating there you can take in the exclusive view of the marina and the ocean.

Location: It is located 13 km north of Cairns.

Highlights: It is a very popular kite surfing destination. The south east winds provide brilliant thrust to your sail.

Best time to visit: Come here between April to November for the Kite surfing.

One of the most magnificent aquariums in Cairns, the Cairns Aquarium features species from the Wet Tropics Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef. The magnificent aquarium offers the best shark feedings every day, environment explanations, and animal displays. The Great Barrier Reef and North Queensland's marine ecosystems are represented by the rarest species in 71 displays at the aquarium.

One of the top luxury places to visit in Cairns, the Reef Hotel Casino is home to 127 lavish rooms, along with a personal spa bath and a garden view overlooking the city. With several amenities including a rooftop swimming pool, a gym, a casino, a boutique, and several restaurants, the Reef is a must visit. Some other attractions to view here include the unique Wildlife Dome.

One of the best places to visit in Cairns is the Daintree Rainforest, especially for all adventure seekers. The Daintree Rainforest, which is surrounded by a verdant landscape, allows you to get a closer look at some of the rarest plants and creatures that live here. Experience Ziplining through the forest, which is sure to get your adrenaline rushing. 

Crystal Cascades, one of Cairns' best-kept secrets among tourist attractions, is tucked away among the city's stunning rainforests and attracts visitors with its entrancing waterfalls. The secluded freshwater lake, surrounded by huge granite rocks, is the perfect place to go swimming. You can drive your own vehicle to this serene location where you can witness mountain water rushing through the trees.

Among the most unique places to visit in Cairns, the Kuranda Koala Gardens is one of them. Located in the Kuranda rainforest village, this attraction is an ideal place to visit for all wildlife and nature enthusiasts. Home to animals including wallabies, wombats, gliders, crocodiles, and quokkas; you can indulge in the many educational tours offered here. 

If you are looking for a getaway from the hassle of the city, then visit Esplanade to indulge in some fun and leisure time. Offering several water activities, including swimming, the Esplanade is a perfect place to experience a pool party. Get to immerse yourself in panoramic views of the Trinity Inlet. Do visit the many attractions here including the Skatepark, Muddy’s Playground, and Healing Garden Playground, among others.

Barron Gorge National Park, one of the top attractions for nature enthusiasts in Cairns, stretches from Lake Placid to Atherton Tableland in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Barron Gorge National Park charms everyone with its unspoiled natural beauty as it is surrounded by lush green mountains, flowing waterfalls, and unique fauna.

Known to be amongst the largest aviaries in the country, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is one of the most unique Cairns tourist attractions to visit. View more than 1500 butterflies belonging to the tropical region including the Cairns Birdwing Butterfly and the Monarch. Visit the laboratory here, filled with over 4000 caterpillars, when on a guided tour. 

One of the most interesting and unique places to visit in Cairns, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park offers an insight into the oldest living cultures in the world. Witness the indigenous dance performances along with arts, and taste some locally sourced food. Combining entertainment and education, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park offers the most authentic experience in Australia. 

 Barron Falls is a steep cascading waterfall on the Barron River that falls from a significant height of 250 meters. Commencing from the Atherton Tablelands, the waterfall flows to the dramatically carved gorge through the Lamb Ranges named the Barron Gorge. Tourists can enjoy the sweeping views of one of these beautiful Cairns tourist attractions from the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or Barron Falls Lookout.

One of the most visited Cairns tourist attractions, Fitzroy Island is home to a massive resort, two grand restaurants, and a National Park. With several unique activities to do, including kayaking and boating. Fitzroy Island is one of the most scenic places to visit, offering beautiful views of the surroundings, along with walking trails to stroll around. 

A top Cairns tourist attractions to visit, the 100-acre park, which is surrounded by a World Heritage Rainforest, draws all nature lovers looking for a fun day trip with loved ones. With attractions like the Army Duck Rainforest Tour on land and water, the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, and the Koala and Wildlife Park, the park is renowned for captivating visitors.

Experience some of the most picturesque sights of Cairns, by the Kuranda Scenic Railway, amidst the rainforest in North Queensland. View some of the most gorgeous waterfalls, majestic mountains and ravines along with the most exotic plants and trees. The entire tour takes about an hour and a half, and the railway is more than 100 years old. 

Known to be the oldest surviving tropical rainforest across the world, the Skyrail Rainforest is best explored when done by the Cableway. View some of the best natural landscapes including lush green trees, some gorgeous waterfalls, and unique wildlife. Hop into a Gondola Cabin, and ride around some of the most serene places including the Kuranda, and Barron among others.

This beach is the favorite beach of a true Cairns local. Trinity Beach is an amazing beach known for its clear waters. The beach offers a beautiful ambiance that never fails to impress anyone. Even more so than the other beaches, the locals and tourists mingle here to give it a much friendlier vibe. This beach is not far from the Cairns International Airport so it is a preferred destination and usually the first beach tourists end up going to and it is one of the best tourist places in Cairns Australia.

The beach is cornered by two headlands which provide for an amazing Bay area for all popular activities to take place and thoroughly enjoy their varied pleasures. If you have come here with the sole intention of relaxing, the palm-lined shores will just not fail to disappoint you. On the other hand, if adventure is what you seek, you should totally take up on the various tours on offer that leave from Trinity Beach at regular intervals.

Location: It is situated 20 km from the center of Cairns.

Highlights: Various tours are organized to cater to different people and their budgets.

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

Regarded amongst the most beautiful places to visit in Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the wonders of the natural world. Surrounded by nearly 3000 individual reefs and about 900 islands and coral cays, this is a retreat for snorkelers and certified divers that flock around this place. You can witness the unparalleled variety of marine life at this Great Barrier reef.

 Hollow Way Beach is a residential beach in Cairns that stretches along a tiny area of two and a half kilometers. It is one of the most popular Cairns tourist attractions due to the establishment of the waterfront beach resort. You can go fishing or discover a small cafe and hotel to enjoy some privacy with your family or beloved away from the humdrum of city life.

You may get away from the bustle of the city, at Stoney Creek, which is located in the Barron Gorge National Park. This is one of the best sites for nature enthusiasts to visit in Cairns because it is surrounded by rainforests. The Stony Creek Falls is a pristine area to escape the bustling people and cool down from the summer heat by taking a refreshing swim.

Among the best Cairns tourist attractions, is the Cairns Night Markets, which is an open night market, inspired by the markets in South East Asia and Hawaii. Shop some of the best locally made goods from over 131 stalls, selling textiles, artwork, daily items, handicrafts, and many more items. Do visit the many smaller food joints and the retail spaces offering some delicious, lip-smacking snacks.

Situated on the Barron river, the Tinaroo Falls Dam is a great Cairns tourist attractions to visit when looking for a getaway. Some of the most famous activities to indulge in here include sailing, waterskiing, house boating, and swimming. The Tinaroo Falls Dam also offers an opportunity to trek through the pristine rainforests enclosed here.