Cairns Holidays

Cairns is Australia’s northern gatekeeper to some of the most awe inspiring natural wonders on the continent. The Great Barrier Reef, a monument to natural history, is first on that list. 

Incredibly made up of more than 3000 individual reefs and stretching more than 2000 kilometres – it is the world’s largest natural reef and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Home to a diverse array of aquatic wildlife, with habitats textured in vibrant coral colours, visitors can get a close up through glass bottom boats, or for the more adventurous, by snorkelling and scuba diving. 

The Reef is not Cairns’ only source of natural beauty, it is also backed by the gorgeous Daintree Rainforest. This rainforest is part of the largest continuous tropical rainforest on the Australian continent, and is home to an amazing level of biodiversity, having 30% of the continents frog reptile and marsupial species, as well as 90% of its butterfly species. It is also home to Australia’s largest bird, the Northern Cassowary, a large flightless bird that is considered by some to be the world’s most dangerous bird. 

Just outside of the city is the town of Kuranda, home to several nature reserves and butterfly parks, as well as the end point of the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. This railway takes you through the Rainforest along the Barron Gorge and past the Baron Falls, providing spectacular views amidst the feel of a bygone era.  You can also soar high above the tree tops on the Sky Rail Cableway, giving you canopy topping, horizon reaching views of this amazing natural domain.  

The city itself manages to keep that laid back Aussie feel while fulfilling its function as Far North Queensland’s central trading and travel hub. Do not miss the charming Esplanade, with its swimming lagoon, waterfront boardwalks and BBQ areas. Backed by rainforest covered mountains, bathing the city in green and blue tropical mystique, Cairns is a must-see on your bucket-list.