Must-see attractions in Cairns

  • Cairns, Australia - July 8, 2017: Zhanjiang Chinese Friendship Pavilion at Cairns Botanic Gardens

    Cairns Botanic Gardens

    Cairns

    These gorgeous gardens are an explosion of greenery and rainforest plants. Highlights include a section devoted to Aboriginal plant use, the Gondwana…

  • People by the pool at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon with the fish sculptures in the background in Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

    Cairns Esplanade, Boardwalk & Lagoon

    Cairns

    Sunseekers and fun-lovers flock to Cairns Esplanade's spectacular swimming lagoon on the city’s reclaimed foreshore. The artificial, sandy-edged, 4800-sq…

  • Cairns, Queensland / Australia - December 4 2017: Two children look at fish in the Cairns Aquarium.

    Cairns Aquarium

    Cairns

    Cairns' multi-million-dollar aquarium is well worth a visit for its vast and gorgeously presented range of marine life, the Great Barrier Reef in…

  • ERBY04 For over 20 years Reef Teach has been educating visitors to the Great Barrier Reef about its beauty. Cairns, far north Queenslan

    Reef Teach

    Cairns

    Take your knowledge to new depths at this fun, informative centre, where marine experts explain how to identify specific species of fish and coral, and…

  • Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

    Cairns

    Managed by the area’s original custodians, this award-winning cultural extravaganza tells the story of creation using giant holograms and actors. There's…

  • St Monica's Cathedral

    Cairns

    Cairns' main Catholic church is famous for its themed stained-glass windows, the largest of their type in the world. There are 24 windows depicting the…

  • AUSTRALIA-Queensland-NORTH COAST-Cairns: Captain Cook Statue on Captain Cook Highway / Morning

    Captain Cook Statue

    Cairns

    You won't be able to miss this mammoth statue, one of Australia's most controversial 'Big Things'. Looming over the city's main road since 1972, the 10m…

  • Rainforest waterfall

    Crystal Cascades

    Cairns

    About 14km from Cairns, 'Crystals' is a series of beautiful waterfalls and idyllic, croc-free swimming holes that locals would rather keep to themselves…

  • Tanks Arts Centre.

    Tanks Arts Centre

    Cairns

    Three gigantic, ex-WWII fuel-storage tanks have been transformed into art galleries; it's also an inspired performing-arts venue. Check the website for…

  • Babinda Boulders

    Cairns

    Babinda Boulders is a natural gorge where a photogenic creek rushes between 4m-high granite rocks. It’s croc-free, but waters can turn treacherous after…

  • Josephine Falls

    Cairns

    Josephine Falls is a series of cascades over eroded granite boulders as the creek trickles – often sometimes flows – down from the misty Bellenden Kerr…

  • Mangrove Boardwalk

    Cairns

    Explore the swampier side of Cairns on this revelatory wander into the wetlands. Eerie snap-crackle-slop noises provide a fitting soundtrack to the spooky…

  • Marineland Crocodile Park

    Cairns

    While this family-owned, tropical-themed aquarium has plenty of fish, turtles and beautiful artefacts on display, it's Cassius, the world's largest croc…

  • Cairns Art Gallery

    Cairns

    The permanent collection of this acclaimed gallery has an emphasis on local and Indigenous work. It also hosts prominent visiting exhibitions and…

  • Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre

    Cairns

    This centre looks after sick and injured sea turtles before releasing them back into the wild. Educational tours (45 minutes, maximum 15 guests) take…

  • Cairns Museum

    Cairns

    This contemporary museum features four well-curated galleries covering the history of Cairns and Far North Queensland in pictures, exhibits and local…

  • Australian Armour & Artillery Museum

    Cairns

    Military and history buffs will love the largest display of armoured vehicles and artillery in the southern hemisphere. Go for a ride in a tank (adult…

  • Yarrabah Arts Centre

    Cairns

    This small centre houses the works of artists from Yarrabah, a small, scenic Aboriginal coastal community about 50km from Cairns city. Ogle everything…

  • Reef Eye

    Cairns

    Soak up stunning views of the Coral Sea and Cairns city aboard this 35m-high Ferris wheel. The fully enclosed gondolas rotate 360 degrees (passengers…

  • KickArts Contemporary Arts

    Cairns

    These galleries showcase cutting-edge local and regional artworks, plus touring exhibitions. KickArts has moved to the School of the Arts while the Centre…

  • Samurai Gallery

    Cairns

    This unusual gallery and museum displays genuine armour, swords and arts from the Japanese samurai. Owner John Grasso has been collecting swords and…

More destinations you need to see