3 days in Cairns

Day by day

1. Day 1: Outer Great Barrier Reef day trip and Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and Boardwalk

   Outer Great Barrier Reef day trip, Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and Boardwalk and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, then Cairns Night Markets in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Outer Great Barrier Reef day trip

      The world's largest coral reef system lies offshore, and day boats from Cairns reach outer reef sites such as Moore, Norman, Saxon and Hastings reefs in about 1.5–2 hours.

   2. Late morning

      Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and Boardwalk

      Bring binoculars at low tide; the Esplanade is one of Australia's well-known shorebird-watching spots.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Barramundi

      Seafood restaurants along the Esplanade and around Marlin Marina near the Reef Fleet Terminal.

   4. Afternoon

      Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

      A 7.5-km gondola glides just above the rainforest canopy of Barron Gorge National Park from Smithfield to Kuranda, with stops at Red Peak for a boardwalk among giant kauri pines and at Barron Falls for lookouts over the gorge.

   5. Evening

      Cairns Night Markets

      Eat at the food court, then walk the lit-up Esplanade boardwalk afterwards.

2. Day 2: Kuranda Scenic Railway and Kuranda village and markets

   Kuranda Scenic Railway, Kuranda village and markets and Green Island, then Shields Street and the Esplanade in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Kuranda Scenic Railway

      The train pauses at the Barron Falls station for the lookout platform; be ready to step off quickly, as the stop is short.

   2. Late morning

      Kuranda village and markets

      The rainforest village at the top of the railway has two market areas of craft stalls, food and Aboriginal art, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary with Ulysses butterflies, and small wildlife parks with koalas and birds.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Mud crab

      Seafood restaurants and Asian restaurants in the city centre.

   4. Afternoon

      Green Island

      Snorkel near the jetty and along the western beach at high tide, and go early before the bigger boats arrive.

   5. Evening

      Shields Street and the Esplanade

      Backpacker bars and pubs with drink specials, live music and late nights.

3. Day 3: Fitzroy Island and Cairns Botanic Gardens

   Fitzroy Island, Cairns Botanic Gardens and Cairns Aquarium, then Marlin Marina and the Pier in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fitzroy Island

      A mountainous continental island about 45 minutes by ferry from Cairns, with rainforest walks to a summit and lighthouse lookout, fringing coral off Welcome Bay and Nudey Beach, and a turtle rehabilitation centre that runs tours.

   2. Late morning

      Cairns Botanic Gardens

      Combine the gardens with the Red Arrow circuit on Mount Whitfield for a city view, early in the day before the heat.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tiger prawns

      Seafood shops near the marina and restaurant platters along the waterfront.

   4. Afternoon

      Cairns Aquarium

      A modern aquarium in the city centre that showcases the ecosystems of Far North Queensland, from rainforest rivers and mangroves to the Great Barrier Reef, with a large oceanarium of sharks and rays.

   5. Evening

      Marlin Marina and the Pier

      Waterfront bars and restaurants for sunset drinks.

Before you go

• Outer Great Barrier Reef day trip: Book a day or two ahead, and keep a spare day in case trips are cancelled for wind or weather.
• Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: Combined Skyrail and railway packages are worth booking ahead in the dry season.

If it rains

• Swap in Tanks Arts Centre (Edge Hill): Check the programme for evening concerts or the monthly markets in the dry season.
• Swap in Cairns Art Gallery (Cairns City): A good one-hour stop in the heat of the afternoon between the lagoon and dinner.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Cairns City and Esplanade keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Cairns North ($$) suits couples, quiet stays and families. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 28–35 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.1 hours in June to 13.1 hours in December.

More or fewer days

• One day in Cairns
• 2 days in Cairns
• 5 days in Cairns

Questions travellers ask