10 of the best things to do in Cairns for first-timers

One of the best things to do in Cairns is to take to the skies on a helicopter tour; the 45-minute journey with Nautilus Aviation will show you the city’s most beautiful offerings, from the rainbow colours of the Great Barrier Reef to Barron Falls and the canopy of the Daintree Rainforest.

Got a little extra time? Why not land on your own private sand cay for the picnic of a lifetime. 

Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is our most famous resident, and a non-negotiable part of visiting the state’s north.

This is the world’s largest coral reef system after all, a collection of just under 3000 individual reefs and 900 islands across near 350,000 square kilometres. The only problem with its size is that it can be hard to know where to begin. If you're based in Cairns, here's where to start.

Before slipping into the Coral Sea, it’s best to educate yourself on the marine life you'll meet with a short seminar at Reef Teach.

Spend a day exploring Kuranda's rainforest

Journey north-west of Cairns and into the mountains to find Kuranda. From village markets to wildlife encounters, there's so much to do here on a day visit.

But even better than the village itself is your transport there; both considerable engineering feats. Make your way up the ridge via the famed steam train on the Kuranda Scenic Railway; built in 1891, it navigates 15 tunnels, 93 curves and difficult bridges across dense rainforest, waterfalls and steep ravines in just under two hours.

On the way down, jump aboard the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway; a blueprint for eco-construction due to its focus on minimising the impact on the World Heritage-listed rainforest.

Feast on local delicacies

Considering its proximity to the coastline, it’s no surprise that Cairns is awash with some of the best seafood in the state. There’s a bevy of different venues to nibble on local fisherman’s bounty. Drop into Prawn Star, housed on an old trawler in the Marlin Marina for a more casual fare, or Salt House for more refined dining. But seafood isn’t the only thing on the menu these days; Cairns is foodie-friendly, and these dining options prove it.

Soar above the Atherton Tablelands

Cairns isn’t just coastline and reefs. Fringing the city is the rolling green of the neighbouring Atherton Tablelands, which sits within a fertile plateau in the Great Dividing Range.

Abundant in native flora and fauna (the World Heritage Wet Tropics waterfall circuit included), the region is best viewed by air, and Hot Air Balloon Cairns will give you the best seat in the house to watch the sunrise above the hills. The added benefit of a dawn-time excursion? It’s the coolest time to explore a district notoriously steamy in temperature.

If the views inspire a visit, you can spend a day eating your way through the Atherton Tablelands too. 

Cool off with a dip

Cairns' year-round warm weather always invites a swim. Cool off at Cairns Lagoon, the promenade-front pool which remains a favourite for young and old locals to the region. A little further afield you'll find beautiful stretches of beach. Palm Cove is one of our favourties, and will tempt you with crystal clear waters and white sands. 

With plenty of wildlife that call these waters home, be sure to swim only in designated waterholes and wear a protective suit when required. 

Find serenity and soak in a waterfall

We’re not short of a waterfall or two here, with some of the state’s most awe-inspiring offerings calling Cairns home.

Drive 20 minutes from the city central and you’ll come to find secluded swimming hole Crystal Cascades. A favourite for locals, the freshwater oasis is fringed by large boulders and dense rainforest. After a dip, you can also trek to nearby Fairy Falls.

An hour’s south from the city you’ll find Josephine Falls. Meander your way through World Heritage-listed rainforest to find the swimming hole, where you can splash about in its pools and sunbathe on its sandy stretch to your heart’s content.

Learn from the locals

Immerse yourself in traditional Aboriginal culture with a visit to Rainforestation in Kuranda. Join the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience to learn from 40,000 years-worth of rich Indigenous customs, from bush remedies to ancient rituals - and even test your skills in spear throwing and boomerang.  

There's so many ways to connect with culture on your visit to Cairns, from dining in the Daintree to discovering ancient rock art galleries. 

Bar-hop your way around town

Once you tire of outdoor adventuring, rest awhile with a cocktail in hand in one of the city’s many bars. The drinking holes here continue to flourish, from rooftop bars to tiki houses. Hemingway’s Brewery is one of the district’s most famous places to pour a pint. Those after a slightly more sophisticated tipple can make their way to Three Wolves, the creation of three gents passionate about specialty spirits.