6 days in Cairns Itinerary

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Cairns: Spas (in Palm Cove), Port Douglas (Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, Safaris, &more) and Hartley's Crocodile Adventures (in Wangetti). Spend the 2nd (Sun) among aquatic life with a scuba or snorkeling tour. The adventure continues: hike along Esplanade Boardwalk, take in nature's colorful creations at Botanical Gardens, see the world from above with a helicopter tour, and explore the galleries of Bones and Jones.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Cairns road trip planning site.

If you are flying in from United States, the closest major aiport is Cairns International Airport. In May, plan for daily highs up to 82°F, and evening lows to 69°F.