Cairns Attractions
The region of Cairns in tropical North Queensland is well regarded the world over for its wide range of scenic attractions and exciting activities from a 110 million year old rainforest to the cultural highlights of Kuranda. Sports enthusiasts are well catered for in Cairns with golf courses, deep sea diving, white water rafting, canoeing, bungee jumping, and horse riding. Night owls will delight in the abundance of restaurants, theatres, pubs and clubs. Cairns is the only destination on earth where two World Heritage-listed attractions - the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest, lie side by side.
Some of the more popular Cairns attractions and activities include:
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
This sanctuary is home to more than 1500 colourful tropical butterflies - all residents of the local area. The aviary here is designed to recreate the butterfly's natural habitat with a running stream and native tropical plants to enhance the authenticity.
8 Rob Vievers Drive Kuranda Qld 4872
+61 7 4093 7575
Birdworld
In the heart of Kuranda, Birdworld is one of the largest free-flight aviaries in Australia. Over 56 different species of native Australian birds live in its safe enclosure, including brightly coloured parrots, lorikeets and large exotic cassowaries. Most of the birds are native to Tropical North Queensland, however the park is also home to endangered species from rainforests around the world such as the Amazonian Macaw.
P O Box 758 Kuranda Queensland 4872 Australia
+61 7 4093 9188
Bungee Jumping
Experience the ultimate in thrill and adventure by jumping off a high tower towards a shallow pool with a giant rubber band attached to your ankles. The AJ Hackett Bungee Tower in Cairns is located 15 km (9 miles) north of the city in a dense tropical rainforest.
Combat Sports
Try your hand at Laser Tag an outdoor combat team sport that is fast paced and extreme. Each team is equipped with infrared weapons and sensor helmets. Players shoot an invisible and harmless infrared beam, similar to the ones uses in television remote controls.
Four Wheel Drive Touring
Much Australia’s rugged and exotic landscape is still undeveloped, providing vast tracts of land perfect for off-road driving. Organised trips are also available where trained drivers will take you on an overland journey for one day, or a weeklong trip.
Gold Fields
Leave Cairns via the Kuranda Range, travel through the picturesque Tablelands and you’ll get to the historical goldfields where you can learn how to pan for gold.
Kite Surfing
Kite Surfing is the most radical and extreme water sport possible that doesn't require a big combustion engine in a fibreglass non-displacement hull. It is a combination of windsurfing, surfing and paragliding and is pure fun! The popular Kite Surfing beach is Yorkeys Knob. On any day with more than ten knots of breeze, the southern end of the beach will be lined with kite surfers trying to jump waves and dodge each other in the surf.
Great Barrier Reef
Listed as one of seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is the cleanest and clearest body of water in the world and is a World Heritage listed area. The 2000 km (1243 miles) stretch of reef is home to more species of plants and animals.
Hartleys Creek Crocodile FarmHartleys Creek Crocodile Farm is a unique crocodile farm that holds a record as organising one of Australia's longest running and most successful crocodile shows, having operated since the 1930s. The farm also boasts koalas, kangaroos, cassowaries, dingoes, snakes and other reptiles endemic to Australia.
PO Box 171 Palm Cove Queensland Australia 4879
+61 7 4055 3576
Opal Factory
Discover how opals are mined, cut and polished. Many of the opals are displayed in the showroom for retail sale, and part is prepared for wholesale trade.
Cnr Cook Highway & Sharon Street Smithfield Cairns 4878 Australia
+61 7 4038 2366
Regional Gallery
The gallery organises national and international exhibitions as well as offers opportunities to engage in fun, educational art experiences through floor talks, workshops, art classes and guided tours.
Corner Abbott & Shields Streets Cairns, Queensland Australia
+61 7 4046 4800
Skyrail
This rainforest cableway is the most popular tourist attraction in the area. The cableway ride provides amazing panoramic views of Cairns city and the beauty of the tropical north.
The Reef Casino
Play at The Reef Casino and experience the excitement and fun of Australia's finest boutique casino.
35-41 Wharf Street PO Box 7320 Cairns Qld Australia 4870
+61 7 4030 8888
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
The park is set on 25 acres and combines the latest in theatre and technology. There are interactive activities with Aboriginal people who teach authentic traditional culture and customs.
Undersea World
Undersea World houses over 1000 marine creatures such as sharks, stingrays, moray eels, box jelly fish, crown of thorns starfish, the deadly but fascinating stonefish, crayfish, and barramundi. The aquarium offers talks in six languages and has daily shark feedings and public shark diving displays worth seeing.
The Pier Market Place Cairns Queensland Australia 4870
+61 7 4041 1777
Walsh's Pyramid
It is the highest freestanding natural pyramid in the world and is one of the most distinctive landmarks for the small sugar-farming town of Gordonvale.
