Three days of adventure in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Itinerary
By Danielle Reckless
Want to explore where World Heritage wonder meets spine-tingling adventure? It’s time to get yourself to our tropical north, where three days of adventure in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef awaits.
This jam-packed itinerary is for the thrill-seeking traveller who wants to take their getaway to the next level. Because why take in the view when you can bungy jump from it? Why wander through ancient rainforest when you can whitewater raft right through it? And why not get to know the world’s largest coral reef system up close, where you're just a snorkel and fins away from magical marine moments.
If you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime – one you can squeeze into a long weekend – read on.
Day 1
Get some air
You’ve just landed at Cairns Airport, but it’s time to fly again.
There’s no easing into the weekend. Instead you’re heading 20 minutes’ out of the city to Skypark Cairns by AJ Hackett. Nestled in the heart of Wet Tropics rainforest and home to Australia’s only bungy, plus a giant swing, ‘Walk the Plank’ and tower climb, you’re in for a heart racing introduction to our adventure capital.
Get out of your comfort zone and get your bearings while getting a stomach-flipping 50-metre free fall, dipping into the cool water below. How you fall is up to you: there’s a ‘Jump Menu’ with everything from blindfolded jumps to forward flips and BMX falls.
Check in, dive in
Back in the city, it’s time to check into one of Cairns’ best hotels. If you’re here for fun and adventure, Crystalbrook Flynn is the perfectly buzzy place to base yourself right on the iconic Cairns Esplanade. An energetic boutique hotel, it’s all about entertainment here from poolside cocktails and DJ sets to onsite bars and restaurants where you can really let your hair down.
Wear off that post-bungy adrenalin by soaking up a little sun by the pool, and if it happens to be a Friday night, settle in for a round or two at Flynn's Boardwalk Social to soak up live music, DJs and great bites.
If this is your first time in Cairns, be sure to make a dinner reservation at Ochre. Fusing Indigenous bush food ingredients with the produce of north Queensland, Ochre is one of the most unique dining experiences on offer. And if you fancy a nightcap, head back to Flynn’s cosy Whiskey & Wine - there's award-winning cocktails alongside a huge selection of local and imported whiskies.
Day 2
Time to meet the reef
No trip to Cairns is complete without a visit to the Great Barrier Reef – and this three day adventure is no exception.
Your dive boat launches at 8am from Cairns Marlin Marina, so rise early to grab a coffee and quick bite before you jump on board. Today you’re in the hands of world-class dive and snorkel team, Diver’s Den, for a magical day trip to the reef.
It’s about a 90 minute cruise out to the reef, so kick back and take in those Coral Sea views. Once there, you’ll be treated to five hours of dive time, with up to three dive/snorkel sessions at the crew’s exclusive reef moorings. Even if you’re not a certified scuba diver, you can take the plunge with an intro dive guided by the expert team. Either way, pull on your snorkel and take in the diversity of marine life, from curious tropical fish to turtles, stingrays and giant Maori Wrasse.
Experienced diver? Dial the adventure up a notch with a liveaboard experience instead. You’d need an extra couple of days up your sleeve, but you’ll access more remote, untouched pockets of the reef and can even get your thrills on a life-changing shark dive at Osprey Reef.
Dine local
Back on dry land by about 5pm, refuel on some of the best seafood in Cairns right here in the marina at Prawn Star, a casual spot that serves hefty platters of prawns, mud crabs and more, pulled straight from the trawlers and onto your plate.
Tonight, it’s time to explore Cairns’ nightlife a little more. Depending on your mood, go for a locally crafted cocktail at Wolf Lane Distillery or get tropical at Flamingo’s tiki bar. You’ll find a new favourite drinking hole in no time.
Day 3
Raft through the rainforest
It’s the last of your three day adventure in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef, so it should go out with a bang. And begin with one too: grab an early breakfast at Bang & Grind café on Spence Street to fuel today’s activities, where spectacular nature once again becomes your playground.
UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest, ancient plants and animals, tumbling waterfalls and towering gorges in the Barron Gorge National Park are on today’s agenda – but you’ll be experiencing it while rafting down the rapids of the mighty Barron River with Raging Thunder Adventures. This half day eco adventure offers a combination of serious white water action and calm water paddling. The perfect way to take in the spectacular Jurassic-like surrounds.
Head for the rooftop at sunset
Back in Cairns, raise a glass to your last sunset from rooftop bar Rocco, then top it off with a meal to remember – Dundee’s on the Waterfront is a fitting end to your adventure, but there’s plenty of flavours and local hotspots to choose from.
If you have more than a long weekend, you'll discover this has only scratched the surface of the unforgettable adventures in Cairns. From discovering hidden waterfalls to throwing yourself off them on a canyoning tour, this really is the place to test your limits and get wild.
This heart-racing three day adventure will have left a lifelong imprint on yours.
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