The best things to do in Cairns
The top 3 according to 1,271 votes from people: Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef · Skyrail Rainforest Cableway · Daintree Rainforest. (Updated Aug 19, 2025.)
The Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda and the Daintree: what not to miss from Cairns according to travel blogs.
Top 12
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1
Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef
Day trips to the outer reef from the marina.
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2
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Cable car over the canopy back from Kuranda.
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3
Daintree Rainforest
The ancient rainforest where it meets the reef.
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4
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Historic train up through rainforest gorges.
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5
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
Free saltwater pool on the waterfront.
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6
Green Island
Coral cay 45 minutes by boat.
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7
Rusty's Markets
Weekend markets of tropical fruit.
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8
Cairns Botanic Gardens
Rainforest boardwalks near the centre.
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9
Fitzroy Island
Island with beaches and a turtle rehab centre.
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10
Palm Cove
Palm-lined beach north of the city.
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11
Crystal Cascades
Swimming holes in the rainforest near town.
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12
Atherton Tablelands waterfalls
Millaa Millaa, Zillie and Ellinjaa falls.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (6)
Cairns itself is pretty meh, its just a base for the reef and the Daintree
Bit harsh, the Esplanade lagoon on a hot evening is lovely
Did the outer reef with a liveaboard, best decision ever
The Kuranda train up and Skyrail back was the highlight of our whole Queensland trip.
Fitzroy Island > Green Island, fight me
Green Island is better for snorkelling straight off the beach though