Top Things to do in Cairns
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10 Free Things to do in Cairns That You Shouldn't Miss
Cairns is the perfect city for merry revelers, passionate divers and adrenaline junkies, offering booming nightlife and heart-pounding adventure amid a vibrant, tropical setting. This friendly Queensland city of 130,000 is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree National Park, Cape Tribulation, Cooktown and the rest of Cape York Peninsula. Embark on an eco-adventure or take a dip in a lagoon pool before hitting the town to unwind and shake what you’ve got Down Under.
Restaurants in Cairns
1. Underart Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By MhandavE
Every time I walk into Underart, I find something else I love...whether it's a painting or sculpture or jewelry. It's all local, so you know you're putting money back in to the community ❤️❤️
2. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,647 reviews
Escape the heat at one of Cairns' best known landmarks, the Esplanade Lagoon. Set on the Cairns foreshore overlooking Trinity Inlet, the 4800 sq metre saltwater swimming lagoon offers locals and tourists a year round safe swimming location. Saltwater is pumped from the inlet and filtered through a state of the art filtration and chlorination system, to meet Australian Standards. The kids can enjoy the sandy edges, build sand castles and play in shallow water. On the other side of the Lagoon, visitors can lounge on the timber decks in moderate shade. Shady trees, landscaped gardens and open spaces all contribute to the leisurely atmosphere on the Esplanade The Lagoon is open 6am-6pm Thursday - Tuesday, Midday-6pm Wednesday all year round.
Reviewed By nikkichutney - Melbourne, Australia
Absolutely fabulous definitely recommend if you are holidaying in Cairns and near the Esplanade you’ve got to swim in the lagoon at least once a day to cool off. The people of Cairns are very lucky to have this lagoon here.
3. Atherton Tablelands
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 654 reviews
Reviewed By D6035PRkathyd
This was a really enjoyable area to explore by car at a leisurely pace. We did not get as far as we hoped, but thoroghly enjoyed Crater Lakes National Park (including the tea house on Lake Barrine), Yungaburra's walk along Peterson Train in search of a platypus sighting, Emerald Creek Ice Cream and the Cathedral Fig Tree.
4. Rusty's Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 402 reviews
Reviewed By mazzaintazza - London, United Kingdom
Colourful, buzzing, great range of fruit and veg, plus the odd live singer, cafe with awesome breads and cakes, and a few jewellery/craft stalls. A must do, even just to take photos. Four avocados for $2! Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.
5. Muddy's Playground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,419 reviews
Muddy's playground is open every day of the year between 9am and 7pm (including public holidays and weekends). Sections of Muddy's are closed for maintenance on Tuesday and Thursday mornings until noon. Even when maintenance works are being carried out, Council aims to have at least half the playground available for use. Muddy's is a modern, fun, safe, splash playground and parkland. It incorporates active, passive, interactive and educational facilities with a combination of play equipment. Muddy's playground is themed "Life in Trinity Bay" and the playground includes water play areas plus a flying fox, sound chimes, track ride, rope bridge, slides, play houses, story telling areas, see-saw, trick track and puzzle games. Please note that the disabled-use Liberty Swing uses the MLAK national keying system. For access please ask at Muddy's cafe. Muddy's has two toilet facilities one at the north end of Muddy's near the cafe and one at the southern end of Muddy's. Muddy's has barbecues, picnic tables and an on-site cafe.
Reviewed By KittyO25
This place is just fantastic. Well maintained and just great for kids of all ages. Would most definitely recommend to all families
6. Josephine Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 494 reviews
Reviewed By emmmjones
Even though the navigator said the road to the parking area is unpaved, it actually was covered. Very easy to access with an RV. Easy parking, with toilets right before you step on the paved walking path to the falls. Leave most of your belongings in the car, I'd say. People who visit the falls doubtfully are there to steal your things, but you never know! I would recommend leaving your shoes in the car, you won't need them here. There are several different swimming spots, at the bottom, in the middle and at the top, but the top was actually closed from public for safety. We walked about 5 minutes from the parking area to the bottom pool, all of it paved so you can access it with strollers even (wouldn't recommend it, though people with babies carried them in chestbags), with the path ending at a sort of a small balcony with a few stepps. From the balcony you open a metal gate, which then leads you to the big rocks. This is where it gets tricky. The rocks -most of them- are dry and not slippery, but there is not actually any path to the water or good spots to leave your belongings, so leave them in the car! We left our cellphones, expensive sunglasses and car keys under our hats and clothes on one of the rocks and they were fine. We could keep an eye on them the entire time, though had someone decided to steal them, there is no easy, fast access out of the water. You have to climb over big rocks to even get near the water, and then carefully sit and find your step because there are some big slippery rocks right beneath the surface (don't fall!). So if you have any movement disabilities, accessing the water might be extremely difficult! It is not until you get more towards the middle of the pool that you can swim freely, because it does get deep. But it is absolutely clear, refreshing water and just a delightful experience, one of the best on our two week roadtrip! During our visit it was 33 C and sunny, so the swim was perfect! After accessing the water, you can climb up the rock surface on the other side of the water, since the water fall has made it really smooth, and sunbathe, or slide down the water fall back in. Definitely the highlight of our Cairns visit!
7. Cairns Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,904 reviews
The Cairns Botanic Gardens are a tropical paradise where you can explore the beauty of tropical plants, relax in stunning surroundings and learn about tropical flora and horticulture. The Gardens are open from 7.30Am to 5.30Pm every day of the year and entry is free. The Botanic Gardens includes several spaces used for demonstrating the diverse plant life that can be found within a tropical climate. The Cairns Botanic Gardens include: Flecker Garden Centenary Lakes - Saltwater and Freshwater The Rainforest Boardwalk Mount Whitfield Conservation Park The Gondwanan Heritage Garden
Reviewed By Y9976NNdavidw - Petersham, Australia
Visited this as part of tour very well cared for by volunteers we'll set out easy to get to the tour guide gave us a talk on the gardens history @ about the various tropical plants very worth while visiting this attraction allow about 1hr to see without hurrying you will enjoy
8. Esplanade Boardwalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,973 reviews
The Cairns Esplanade is a picturesque 2.5 km stretch of foreshore in the heart of Cairns that is managed by Cairns Regional Council. The parklands, playgrounds, boardwalk, lagoon and recreational facilities are all free entry. Come along and enjoy this stunning facility.
Reviewed By auzzigirls
Love to walk along the Board walk down to the main hub, where you will find the large open green park that surrounds the free and open pool area. There are also childrens play areas and a skate park along the walk which extends from North Cairns to the departure point where the ferries leave to the islands.
9. Behana Gorge Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
Reviewed By dylan_ingleby - Gordonvale, Australia
Great walk through the rainforest to the waterfall. Approximately 40mins one way along a service road, but it does have some decent dips and rises so good shoes are recommended
10. KickArts Contemporary Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
KickArts Contemporary Arts is located in the Centre of Contemporary Arts in Cairns. KickArts programs a diverse range of exhibitions by local and national contemporary artists on a regular rotational basis including the best of Far North Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art with prints, paintings, ceramics and sculpture. KickArts Shop features the latest unique design products of distinction ranging from Fine Art Prints published in house to local handmade and bespoke gift items unavailable elsewhere: the perfect souvenir of your visit to Far north Queensland!
