There’s a lot of great places in Australia and Queensland to visit so why should you add Cairns to your list?

The Great Barrier Reef

The number one thing to do in Cairns is undoubtedly to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is the perfect gateway to the Natural World Wonder, and many tours depart from here daily.

Jump into the sapphire waters and get up close and personal to the fish and corals of the reef. You can snorkel, dive, or even sea walk on the ocean floor! Tours will take you to the most colourful and abundant reefs where you can spend hours exploring the world below the surface. Whether you’re an expert diver or uneasy in the water, there is an option for you with most tours offering a variety of options to suit your needs.

Expert leaders will teach you all about marine life, and you’ll learn about what you can do to help protect not only the reef but all ocean life!

The Rainforest 

Cairns is home to some of Queensland’s most stunning rainforests. Why not spend a day getting close to nature and have a picnic lunch at Josephine Falls? The stunning falls are surrounded by native wildlife, including snakes, colourful birds, and incredibly bright butterflies. Take your swimming gear with you and after a short walk to the fall you can swim in some pools and play on the falls natural water slide. Make sure to adhere to signage to ensure you are swimming in safe pools.

Take a drive to the Atherton Tablelands to visit Yungaburra. Here you can find a small collection of Queensland’s biggest trees, the curtain figs. These incredible feats of nature soar over 20 metres in the air and are believed to be over 500 years old.

The Islands

Cairns is the gateway to several stunning islands scattered across the Great Barrier Reef. Two of the most beautiful islands awaiting you are Fitzroy Island and Green Island.

Just a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns, Fitzroy Island is a picturesque island retreat. With most of the island forming a National Park you will be surrounded by nothing but lush greenery and stunning blue waters. Explore the rich jungle on the Secret Garden walk. You’ll be led through the heart of the land to see magnificently coloured birds and skinks scattering around your feet. Or, go for a walk down Nudey Beach. Voted Australia’s most beautiful beach in 2018, keep an eye out for local critters who have made their way down to the sand and go for a swim in the crystal-clear waters.

Catch a ferry over to Green Island for fantastic scenery and snorkelling. With plenty of coral reefs close to the beach, shores grab your swimming gear and spend a day seeing the beauty of the ocean. There are over 120 native flora and fauna species on the island for you to search for and explore. While you’re there, check out Marineland and visit the only island-dwelling crocodiles on the reef!

With so many fantastic options on offer, Cairns is a must-see for anyone visiting Tropical North Queensland!

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