Cairns tropical coastline view

Sun, sand and sea - Discovering the best of Cairns

Cairns is the ideal gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the tropical nature of North Queensland. A trip to this tropical city is particularly recommended between June and November, as this is when the weather is at its best and it rarely rains. The temperatures are between 18 and 31°C.

Accompanied by our tour guide, you can make the most of the numerous opportunities on offer, such as trips to the reef, hikes in the rainforest or exploring waterfalls and experience the unique atmosphere of the region to the full. The time in Cairns (North Australia) is currently 8 hours ahead of the time in Germany. So you will have to be prepared for a jet lag. But the experiences are gonna be worth it!

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most significant attractions in Cairns and you should not miss it when visiting Cairns. The most famous coral reef in the world with a unique species diversity, covers an area of 344.400 square kilometres. And over 2,300 kilometres of the reef covers the coastline of Queensland. It consists of 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands.

Unfortunately, the Great Barrier Reef is no longer as colourful as it once was, but this unique underwater landscape is still worth a visit. Dozens of boats depart daily from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef, offering a wide range of day trips for snorkelling and diving. For experienced divers, there are also tours to the Great Barrier Reef that last overnight or several days, and diving certification courses are also offered in Cairns.

Great Barrier Reef underwater view

Local Food & Dining

You must try out the local food. But what food is Cairns known for? Cairns is best known for its fresh seafood such as barramundi, tropical fruits such as mangos and pineapples, and Australian cuisine with dishes such as meat pies and fish and chips. Here is the perfect plan for a day of dining in Cairns and Secret food spots in Cairns you must try out!

Oak & Vine is the perfect place for a fabulous breakfast. It offers a great view of the Esplanade, where you can enjoy your coffee and breakfast. Howlin Jays is very popular for lunch. It serves the best roast chicken in Cairns. If you still haven't had enough of Cairns' delicacies after lunch, Earls Eatery is the perfect place to go. They serve the best focaccia sandwiches, biscuits and matcha.

For dinner, there's Bellocale. This restaurant is known for serving the best seafood in Cairns. But if you're not a fan of seafood, you can also go to Ganbaranba. They serve the best ramen in Cairns, where you can choose the firmness of the noodles. For the perfect night-time treat, Gellocchio is the perfect ice cream after an evening stroll, with many tropical fruit flavours.

Cairns dining scene

Daintree Rainforest

Don't miss the chance to visit: The Daintree Rainforest, located in the Tropical North Queensland. The Daintree Rainforest is as old as Australia (over 135 million years), making it the oldest Rainforest in the world! It´s the largest rainforest in Australia with over 1,200 square kilometres and is home to many animal and plant species not found anywhere else in the world.

The Daintree Rainforest is a popular Day Trip destination from Cairns and Port Douglas. Visit Mossman gorge, experience a croc cruise on the Daintree River, cross the river on the Ferry and travel to Cape Tribulation. You can even visit the Great Barrier Reef from Cape Tribulation with Ocean Safari.

Daintree Rainforest

Barron Gorge National Park

One thing that is worth every second is: The Barron Gorge National Park. One of the most breathtaking waterfall of this region is located in that park: The 250 meters tall Barron Falls. In the rainseason the waterfall transforms into a overwhelming event, where huge amounts of water falls into the depths.

You can get there when, you either rent a own vehicle or you can take the Scenic Railway from Cairns to Kuranda. In my opinion it's definitely worth it to take the Scenic Railway, because you can have a amazing view and a scenic, historical train journey.

Final Thoughts

In my opinion it's one of the best places i've ever been to. Cairns is worth every second and it is an expirience you will never forget. The atmosphere is amazing and the people ther eare really kind. Don't miss the chance to vistit Cairns!

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