Cairns Vacation Guide

A complete accommodation and tour guide in Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Scuba Diving

Cairns is the only place in the World where two World Heritage Areas meet - the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland. It is one of the world's great holiday and adventure destinations.

According to Laurence and Debbie Templeton, diving in the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns was the world’s best. The couple from Guildford, UK, who won the ‘DIVE the Wonder Down Under’ compitition have dived all around the world and rate the Great Barrier Reef as the best.

Cairns offers luxurious resorts and accommodation in close proximity to sandy tropical beaches, such as Trinity Beach and Palm Cove. Cairns city is the premier regional city in Australia, and the world’s safest tropical city. Considering the small population, Cairns city has good variety of restaurants and cafes to wine and dine. There are many cheap and good quality cuisine found on the Cairns Esplanade, from Australian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Greek or Indian cousine, you will find it here.

Many tours and things to do can be found here in Cairns. If it is adrenaline you are looking for, Cairns has helicopter rides, seaplane rides, adventure duck, great barrier reef trips and many dive trips. Most of these starts from the Pier. Also available are tours such as the white water rafting, skydiving, skyrail, horse riding and whatever you can think off Cairns will have it.

Places to go around Cairns:

Cairns Highlands, Kuranda, Palm Cove, Mossman, Port Douglas, Daintree Cape Tribulation, Mission Beach, Dunk Island, Hinchinbrook Island

Things To Do In Cairns At No Cost

Muddy's Playground Cairns

There are many places you can go swimming in Cairns for free. The Lagoon at the Esplane, Crystal Cascade, Barron Gorge National Park. These places are only 20 minutes from the CBD, except for the Lagoon, it is on the city. If swimming is not your thing, why not go for a drive and visit the "Cairns Highlands" formerly known as the Tableland.

The Esplanade - come and visit the lagoon, a place where the whole family can enjoy their holiday time. The lagoon is set on the Cairns foreshore overlooking the Barrier Reef and Trinity Inlet.

Cairns Lagoon

The Harbour Walk at the end of the swimming lagoon overlooks the famous Cairns waterfront, a place to view birdlife. Everyone visiting this area can enjoy the barbecue facilities provided. Bring your family along for a picnic, swim, a game of footy or just look around.

Arcing around the seawall of the lagoon to the Pier, pedestrians can take time to walk or ride the long, meandering 5m wide wooden boardwalk, sweeping past the boats in the marina, and around to Trinity Inlet.

Wining And Dining In Cairns

Cairns restaurants are among the best in Australia and have a great variety of dining experiences for anyone who enjoy their night out. Many Cairns restaurants specialise in seafood due to its location and have access to fresh local seafood all year round.

Whether you fancy Mediterranean, Mexican, Chinese or a real Aussie steak and BBQ with kangaroo or crocodile, our region has it all.

Many great restaurants can be found here in CAIRNS, ranging from cheap wining and dining to a fancy night out. Why not complement your dinner with fine local wines and liqueurs that can be found in many restaurants for the ultimate dining experience.

Recommended Tour

Getting Around Cairns

There are many ways to help you get around Cairns, you will find Public Buses, Taxis, Car and Bicycle Hire are all easily accessible.

Cairns city is relatively flat and getting around the city and surrounding sightseeing spots is quite easy.

Shopping

Cairns offers some fantastic shopping opportunities. You can enjoy everything from the laid back Esplanade to the buzz of large suburban shopping malls. Pier shopping offers fine food, fashion and spectacular views of the marina. Take your time or just a stroll taking in the atmosphere.

The Cairns business district host eveything from a small souvenir shops to shopping centres that offer a alrge selection of goods and services. In many of the arcades and shopping centres you will find food courts and coffee shops with reasonable prices. Live entertainment can sometimes be found, mostly during the holidays.

No matter where you choose to shop, you can always find leading international brands, jewellers, Australian leather goods and souvenirs. There are plenty of bargains and sales to be found. So get out there and explore…

If you love shopping or just want the convenience of one stop shopping, you will find everything under one roof at Cairns Central. Centrally located right next to the Cairns Central Railway station, Cairns Central is only a few minutes from the Esplanade and Cairns Convention Centre.

With over 180 speciality stores including Myer you will be able to post a letter, purchase a gift, indulge in an ice cream or pamper yourself in some beauty therapy or products from selected stores.

Climate

Summer all year round in Cairns:
Summer months (October-April) 29-33°C
Winter months (April-October) 25-29°C

Banking Hours

Mon - Thurs 9:30am - 4:00pm
Fri 9:30am - 5:00pm
Closed: Sat, Sun & Public Holidays (some banks open half day on Sat)

Most major banks and some stores have Automated Teller Machine (ATM) operating 24 hours per day at selected locations.

Emergency

Ambulance/Fire/Police – Ph: 000
Cairns Police Station – Ph: 07 4030 7000
RACQ breakdown service – Ph: 131 111

Medical Services

Cairns Base Hospital – The Esplanade, Ph: 07 4050 6333
Calvary Hospital – Ph: 07 4052 5200
Cairns 24 Hour Medical Centre – Cnr of Florence & Grafton Streets,
Ph: 07 4052 1119
Japanese Medical Services – Ph: 1800 688 909
Poison Information Centre – Ph: 13 11 26
Coastguard – Ph: 07 4051 2192

Transportations

Buses:
Sunbus – Ph: 07 4057 7411
Queensland Transport Bus – Ph: 07 13 12 30
Taxis:
Black & White Cabs – Ph: 131 008
Acacia Limousines – Ph: 07 4031 3188