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Where is Cairns located?
- Cairns is a picturesque coastal city in Tropical North Queensland, Australia, serving as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
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What is the lifestyle like in Cairns?
- The residents of Cairns fully embrace Australia’s casual and laid-back lifestyle.
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What natural attractions does Cairns offer?
- The city is surrounded by lush, steaming rainforests, romantic palm-fringed beaches, and rugged outback countryside.
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Why is Cairns a popular vacation destination?
- Cairns offers a perfect blend of unforgettable adventures and modern luxuries, making it a highly desirable place to visit.
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1. Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
Walk through lush gardens and admire colorful tropical butterflies.
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is a marvelous butterfly exhibit and zoo that is situated in the heart of Kuranda, Queensland, Australia. In 1989, the sanctuary received recognition from the Guinness Book of Records for having the ‘Largest Butterfly Farm in the World.’ Initially created by Sue and Paul Wright, half of the sanctuary was purchased in 2004 by the Woodward Family CaPTA Group, and the remaining half purchased by the same company in 2007. There are several experiences and exhibits for visitors to enjoy, such as the Butterfly Myths & Legends Display, Guided Aviary Tours, Museum, Pupae Area & Emergence Cages, and Silkmoth Display.
8 Rob Veivers Drive, Kuranda, Queensland, Australia, Phone: +61-7-40-93-75-75
2. Barron Gorge National Park
Explore dramatic landscapes and hike to breathtaking waterfalls.
Located in the Cairns region of Queensland, Australia, Barron Gorge National Park is an incredibly beautiful National Park that extends from the elevated regions of Atherton Tableland to Australia’s coastal lowlands. The park features fascinating history, diverse wildlife, tropical rainforests, powerful waterfalls, and rugged mountain scenery. The Barron River dominates much of the park, winding 60 kilometers across the Atherton Tableland and through one of the highest rainforest belts in Australia. The river offers an idyllic setting for a number of water activities, such as kayaking, canoeing, scenic boat tours, and whitewater rafting. Wildlife viewing is plentiful here, visitors may see tree-kangaroos, possums, spotted-tailed quolls, and flying foxes.
Wrights Lookout Road, Kuranda, Queensland, Australia, Phone: +61-7-40-93-93-11
3. Australian Armour and Artillery Museum
Discover historic military vehicles and explore impressive weaponry exhibits.
Australian Armour and Artillery Museum is a massive museum that is dedicated to armored vehicles, artillery, and tanks from World War II and post war years. This unique museum is located in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, and officially opened its doors for the first time in 2014. The museum offers several interesting exhibits for guests to explore, such as Tanks, Armoured Cars, Armoured Personnel Carriers, Anti-Tank Guns, Anti-Aircraft Guns, Tank Destroyers, Field Guns, Howitzers & Mortars, Specialist Vehicles, and Self Propelled Guns. Visitors will see everything from the Australian Sentinel Mk1 tank to the Canadian Ram Kangaroo personnel carrier to the United States Staghound armored car.
2 Skyfall Drive, Smithfield, Queensland, Australia, Phone: +61-7-40-38-16-65
4. Birdworld Kuranda
Observe exotic bird species and enjoy close-up wildlife encounters.
Birdworld Kuranda is a place where visitors can immerse themselves in a unique wildlife attraction provided by Wildlife Tropical North Queensland. Birdworld is situated along Rob Veivers Drive, within the Kuranda Heritage Markets. The beautiful rainforest setting within the enclosure provides a wonderful habitat for its vast collection of birds from all over the world. The sanctuary houses many of Australia’s most beautiful and precious species of birds. Naturally landscaped with native and exotic plants, ponds, and waterfalls, the sanctuary replicates the habitats of nearly 60 different species of bird. Visitors will see everything from cheeky rainbow lorikeets to cassowary’s to cockatoos that include Galahs.
8 Rob Veivers Drive, Kuranda, Queensland, Australia, Phone: +61-7-40-93-91-88
5. Cairns Aquarium
Explore vibrant marine life and discover diverse underwater ecosystems.
Cairns Aquarium is devoted to providing a world-class venue where visitors can see and interact with the magnificent animals, plants, and habitats that can only be found in Australia’s Wet Tropics Region. The Aquarium is located in the city of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The Wet Tropics borders two World Heritage environments; The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Founders Andrew Preston and Daniel Leipnik have a profound passion and vision for conserving and protecting the biodiversity of the two World Heritage ecosystems. There are over 15,000 animals from 71 habitats and 10 different ecosystems across Tropical North Queensland within the aquarium. Visitors can also enjoy guided tours of the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.
5 Florence Street, Cairns City, Queensland, Australia, Phone: +61-7-40-44-73-00
6. Cairns Art Gallery
Admire contemporary artworks and explore thought-provoking exhibitions.
Cairns Art Gallery is situated within a restored government building from 1936, in Cairns City, Queensland, Australia. This award-winning gallery opened for the first time in July of 1995 and boasts three floors of elegantly designed gallery spaces. Designed by government architect, R.C. Nowland, the building’s construction began in 1934 and was completed in 1936. The building retains much of its historic charm, including iron balustrades, stained glass windows, polished timber-wall paneling, and terrazzo floors. The gallery is equipped with a café and gift shop that features children’s toys, books, homewares, specialty items, and jewelry. Visitors will find rotating exhibits that include works ranging from ceramics to paintings to photography to cultural artifacts.
40 Abbott Street, Cairns City, Queensland, Australia, Phone: +61-7-40-46-48-00
7. Cairns Botanic Gardens
Walk through lush tropical gardens and enjoy serene nature escapes.
Cairns Botanic Gardens is known for having one of the very best tropical plant exhibitions in all of Australia. The gardens are situated within the Cairns suburb of Edge Hill, in the Australian state of Queensland. There are several attractions within the gardens for visitors to check out, such as the Flecker Gardens, Fitzalan Gardens, Nature Playground, Rainforest Boardwalk, Bamboo Collection, and Zhanjiang Friendship Garden. There are also a variety of tours for visitors to enjoy, including audio tours, bird watching and walking tours, and free guided tours. Visitors can come and relax in the garden’s stunning surroundings, explore tropical plants, and learn about horticulture.
78-96 Collins Avenue, Edge Hill, Queensland, Australia, Phone: +61-7-40-32-66-50
8. Crater Lakes National Park
Swim in volcanic lakes and hike through peaceful rainforests.
Crater Lakes National Park is a beautiful National Park that is located in Queensland, Australia. The park features two separate volcanically-formed lakes, Lake Eacham, and Lake Barrine. The lakes are surrounded by lush green rainforest and filled with clear blue water. The shimmering Lake Barrine has several features around it that include giant pine trees, a walking track, and a privately owned treehouse; visitors can book boat cruises around this lake. There are also several water activities to enjoy, including fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Lake Eacham provides a wonderful setting where visitors can enjoy birdwatching, swimming, shaded walking tracks, and picnic areas. The park also provides restrooms, BBQ fire-pits, and trails for cycling.
5B Sheridan Street, Cairns City, Queensland, Australia, Phone: +61-7-42-22-52-44
9. Daintree Rainforest
Discover ancient biodiversity and explore one of Earth’s oldest rainforests.
The Daintree Rainforest is a marvelous forest region that is located along the coast of northeast Queensland, Australia, just north of Cairns. At approximately 1,200 square kilometers, Daintree is part of Australia’s largest continuous tropical rainforest area. High quality guided walking tours showcase exceptional rainforest integrity and unique biological diversity. Discerning travelers can access Daintree Rainforest either through a four-hour Greater Wilderness Experience or a two-hour Grand Fan Palm Gallery Tour. During the tours visitors will be immersed in the stunning beauty that surrounds them in one of the world’s oldest rainforests. Visitors will see several different species of mammals, spiders, reptiles, and birds.
2333 Cape Tribulation Road, Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia, Phone: +61-7-40-98-91-26
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (September-November) – Warm temperatures and great for outdoor adventures.
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns – A luxury waterfront stay with stunning views.
Visit the Great Barrier Reef – Snorkel or dive among vibrant coral reefs and marine life.
Summer (December-February) – Hot and humid, with occasional tropical rains.
Crystalbrook Riley – A stylish, eco-friendly resort with a lagoon-style pool.
Swim at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon – A family-friendly alternative to beach swimming.
Fall (March-May) – Cooler weather and fewer tourists.
Pullman Cairns International – A comfortable stay with easy access to city attractions.
Explore Daintree Rainforest – Take a guided tour to experience one of the world's oldest rainforests.
Plan Your Trip
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