5 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

      Choose a smaller boat visiting two or three outer-reef sites for better coral and fewer people, and wear a stinger suit — usually provided — in any season. (Full day, expensive).

   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. (2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Barramundi

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

   4. Afternoon

      Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

      Go up by Skyrail and return on the Kuranda Scenic Railway (or vice versa) on a combined ticket. (1.5 hours one way, expensive).

   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. (About 2 hours one way, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Kuranda village and markets

      Walk the riverside trail behind the railway station for quiet rainforest away from the market crowds. (Half a day, low cost).

   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. (Half to full day, mid-priced).

   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

      Walk the Summit Track in the morning, then snorkel off Nudey Beach in the afternoon. (Full day, mid-priced).

   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. (1.5–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tiger prawns

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

   4. Afternoon

      Cairns Aquarium

      Visit before your reef trip; it helps children and first-time snorkellers recognise what they will see underwater. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Marlin Marina and the Pier

      Waterfront bars and restaurants for sunset drinks.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Daintree and Cape Tribulation

   About 2.5 hours each way by car each way. Getting there: Car (with the Daintree River cable ferry) or organised tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Daintree and Cape Tribulation

      About 2.5 hours each way by car (Car (with the Daintree River cable ferry) or organised tour); about 140 km.

   2. Day

      Daintree and Cape Tribulation

      North of the Daintree River, ancient rainforest runs down to beaches at Cape Tribulation, where two World Heritage areas meet. Best for first-timers, couples and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Cairns

      Dinner: try Tropical fruit.

5. Day 5: Rusty's Markets and Cairns Art Gallery

   Rusty's Markets, Cairns Art Gallery and Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, then Macrossan Street, Port Douglas in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Rusty's Markets

      Ask stallholders for a taste of unfamiliar fruit, and go early on Saturday for the best choice. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Cairns Art Gallery

      A good one-hour stop in the heat of the afternoon between the lagoon and dinner. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tropical fruit

      Rusty's Markets from Friday to Sunday and roadside stalls on the Atherton Tablelands.

   4. Afternoon

      Hartley's Crocodile Adventures

      Plan your visit around the lagoon cruise and crocodile feeding-show times posted at the entrance. (3 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Macrossan Street, Port Douglas

      A few relaxed bars and pubs in the beach town to the north.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Outer Great Barrier Reef day trip and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 33–40 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Cairns

Questions travellers ask