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Cairns
Travel guide

Cairns

Tropical gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

🗓️ Best time: June–October💰 Mid-Range · ~$130/day📍 Australia
🏨 Find hotels ✈️ Search flights 🎫 Tours & activities

About Cairns

In Queensland's tropical north — a launchpad to the Great Barrier Reef's outer pontoons, the 130-million-year-old Daintree Rainforest, and skydiving over rainforest into the sea.

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⭐ Things to do in Cairns

Great Barrier Reef snorkel/diveDaintree Rainforest day tripKuranda Skyrail rainforest cablewayAtherton Tablelands waterfallsTjapukai Aboriginal cultural parkFitzroy Island day tripCrystal CascadesBabinda Boulders

🍽️ Where to eat in Cairns

Real, top-rated restaurants — tap to see hours, reviews and menus.

Ganbaranba
$
Ganbaranba
★ 4.4 (139) · Ramen
 Salt House
$$
Salt House
★ 3.6 (90) · Australian · Cocktail Bars
 Tha Fish
$$$
Tha Fish
★ 4.2 (87) · Seafood
 Prawn Star
$$
Prawn Star
★ 4.4 (82) · Seafood
 Caffiend
$$
Caffiend
★ 4.5 (81) · Cafes
 Dundee's Restaurant on the Waterfront
$$$
Dundee's Restaurant on the Waterfront
★ 3.8 (81) · Seafood · Breakfast & Brunch
 Ochre Restaurant & Catering
$$$
Ochre Restaurant & Catering
★ 3.8 (69) · Australian
 The Raw Prawn
$$$
The Raw Prawn
★ 3.6 (57) · Seafood
 Grill'd Cairns
$$
Grill'd Cairns
★ 4 (56) · Burgers · Fast Food
 Bang and Grind
$
Bang and Grind
★ 4.6 (54) · Australian · Coffee & Tea
 Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse
$$$
Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse
★ 4.1 (50) · Steakhouses
 Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant
$$
Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant
★ 3.9 (37) · Indonesian · Venues & Event Spaces

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✈️ Know before you go

🚕 Getting around

Tour buses or rent a car; walk Esplanade.

💡 Local tip

Stinger season Nov-May — only swim in netted areas or wear stinger suit.

🛡️ Safety

Very safe. Watch for sun (intense UV), surf (rip currents), and wildlife.

🌙 Nightlife

Esplanade boardwalk; PJ O'Brien's; Gilligan's.

Explore more destinations

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