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Before you go
Your trip to Cairns.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Cairns – Queensland Destination Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef about 1700 km from Brisbane
How to get there
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Aeroporto de Cairns (CNS) Cairns · 7 km
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Estação ferroviária de Cairns 1 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Cairns Airport (CNS) is about 7 km from the centre, with domestic flights from the capitals and some international flights from Asia and the Pacific; taxis, shuttle buses and ride-hailing cars are available. The long-distance train from Brisbane arrives at Cairns station in the city centre.
How many days
Two days in the city: one for a full-day reef trip and another for the Esplanade, the lagoon and the Botanic Gardens. From here you can do day trips to Kuranda, Port Douglas and the Daintree.
When to go
From May to October the weather is usually drier and milder, with clearer seas. From November to April there is more rain, humid heat and possible cyclones; in the region’s beaches people swim in enclosed areas, and the Esplanade lagoon operates year-round.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No for the centre, the Esplanade and the reef boats, which are within walking distance of downtown, nor for Kuranda, served by train and cableway. A car is useful for the northern beaches and for reaching Port Douglas and the Daintree. In Australia you drive on the left.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Cairns
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All day
Great Barrier Reef
Board early at the central pier for a full-day trip to an outer reef or to Green Island, with snorkeling or diving. Return is usually in the late afternoon.
2 days in Cairns
Day 2
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Morning
Botanic Gardens and Whitfield Range
Go to Edge Hill and walk through the Botanic Gardens, with greenhouses and a collection of tropical plants. Hikers can climb one of the trails on Whitfield Range.
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Afternoon
Esplanade and lagoon
Return to the centre to swim in the Esplanade lagoon and walk the promenade until late afternoon, when birds spread over the sandbanks at low tide.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in the sea in Cairns?
The downtown foreshore is mud and mangrove, with no swimming beach. To swim, the town has the saltwater Esplanade lagoon; northern beaches like Palm Cove have lifeguarded and netted areas during the jellyfish season.
How do you get from Cairns Airport to downtown?
The airport is about 7 km from downtown, usually a 10–15 minute drive. There are taxis, shuttle buses and ride-hailing cars.
Which trip to the Great Barrier Reef can you take from Cairns?
It depends on how much time you have. Green Island is 27 km away and allows snorkeling from the beach; trips to the outer reefs are longer and reach reefs farther from the coast. Both depart from the downtown pier.
What is there to do in Cairns at night?
The Esplanade is the busiest spot, with restaurants, bars and the lit promenade. On Saturday mornings there is a market along the foreshore.