Cairns is located in the tropical north of Queensland. It is surrounded by rainforests, waterfalls and of course just of the coast lays the Great Barrier Reef. The city makes a great base to explore the region on day trips. Here are some of the very best day trips from Cairns and how to get there via car, public transport or recommended tour options.
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1. Great barrier reef tour & Green Island
The Great Barrier Reef is the worst largest coral reef as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s easy to visit from Cairns so definitely worth seeing while you’re there! There are several ways to view the reef, from helicopter/plane tours, boat tours, snorkelling and diving. One of the easiest and most affordable ways is to take a day trip to Green Island, just off the coast of Cairns. From here you can take a glass bottom boat tour, go snorkelling and wander around the island.Â
Tour option: Click here for a tour to Green Island & the Great Barrier Reef
2. Barron Gorge National Park
Barron Gorge National Park is not far at all from Cairns and offers an array of hiking routes and scenic viewpoints. It is also home to the huge Barron Falls.
There are many hikes to try. We started with a stroll around Stoney Creek and up to Glacier Rock view point.Â
If you are feeling adventurous, you can also go white water rafting in the gorge!
Car: Barron Gorge National Park is a 15-40 minute drive north of Cairns depending on which part of the park you visit.
Public Transport: Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway (see next)
Tour option: Click here for a white water rafting tour
3. Skyrail & Scenic Railway
The Skyrail is a cable car system extending over Barron Gorge National Park and the ancient rainforest. There are four stops on the cableway, one just outside Cairns and the other end is in the town of Kuranda. In between the car stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls. The entire one way trip takes 1.5 hours.
Running alongside, or below, the cableway is the Kuranda Scenic Railway. This runs all the way from Cairns city centre to Kuranda, again cutting through the rainforest for some amazing views. The full journey from Cairns to Kuranda takes around 2 hours.
Combination tickets are available so you could take the railway from cairns and skyrail back down!
Car: The skyrail terminal is a 15 minute drive north of Cairns. The railway goes into central Cairns.
Tour option: Click here for combined ticket optins
4. Kuranda
Whilst the scenic railway and skyrail are both attractions in themselves, their end destination of Kuranda is also worth a visit! If you don’t fancy either rail, you can easily drive from Cairns in around 40 minutes, or slightly longer if you combine the journey with a trip to Barron Gorge National Park.
In the village, be sure to explore the Kuranda Markets for handcrafted souvenirs. There are plenty of independent shops and cafes to explore as well as art galleries. If you’re interested in nature, visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Koala Gardens or Birdworld.
Car: Kuranda is a 40 minute drive north of Cairns.
Public Transport: Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway Train (2 hours).
Tour option: Click here for a tour option
5. Paronella Park
Paronella Park is a fascinating hidden gem 1.5 hours south of Cairns. It is a huge villa, waterfall and gardens with a curious history. It was built by a farmer from Spain, José Paronella, who first came to Australia to build his fortune to impress a senorita back home. After a decade away, he returned to Spain to find she was already married to someone else. Instead, he married her sister and brought her back to Australia and together in 1929 they started to build their home and their family together in Paronella park.
In its heyday, Paronella Park was open to the public for movie nights, parties and dances. However, things took a turn in the 1940s with a flood and the death of Jose. The park has also since suffered fires, cyclones and abandonment. It is now open once more and being lovingly looked after and its unique history celebrated. Take a tour of the remains of the house and grounds to hear the full story and scandal!
Car: Paronella Park is 1.5 hour drive south of Cairns.
Tour option: Click here to view a tour option to Paronella Park.Â
6. Fitzroy Island National Park
Fitzroy is a small tropical island just off the coast of Queensland. It’s a great place to relax, snorkel and see some wildlife. The island is also home to Fitzroy National Park which has several hiking routes across the island ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Car: There is no vehicle access to the island
Public Transport: Take the ferry from Cairns, this takes around 45 minutes
Tour option: Click here for a tour option to Fitzroy Island National Park
7. Daintree National Park
Daintree National Park spans a huge area across the Daintree Rainforest. There are number of popular hiking routes through the park. Two of the most popular attractions within the park are Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribunal.
Mossman Gorge features a picturesque stoney river running through the rainforest. There a guided and self-guided walks you can do alongside the river and across it on the Rex Creek Bridge. Be sure to also visit the Mossman gorge Cultural Centre while you’re there.
Cape Tribulation is the headland area between the rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. If you are lucky you may catch sight of migrating humpback whales from Mount Alexandra Lookout or Myall Beach.
Car: Daintree National Park is roughly 1 hour 20 minutes from Cairns.
Tour option: Click here to see a tour option to Daintree National Park from Cairns
8. Millaa Millaa Waterfall
Millaa Millaa waterfall drops into a large pool that you can swim in and is surrounded by greenery making it a very instagrammable backdrop! The little corner of paradise featured in a herbal essence advert and possibly in Peter Andre’s Mysterious Girl music video although there seems to be some debate around that!
There are a few other just as spectacular falls nearby so if you are driving, its worth making a little road trip out of it and stopping at a few. There is also:
- Mungalli Falls
- Zillie Falls
- Josephine Falls
Car: Millaa Millaa Falls are 1.5 hour drive south of Cairns.
Tour option: Click here for a tour to Millaa Millaa Waterfall (and Paronella Park)
9. Hartley’s Crocodile AdventureÂ
If you were a big fan of the Crocodile Hunter but haven’t been able to visit Steve Irwin’s own zoo, then Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure might be the next best thing.Â
Car: Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure is 40 minute drive north of Cairns.
Tour option: Click here to see a tour option to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.