Cairns & The Great Barrier Reef
EXPERIENCE
Cairns & The Great Barrier Reef
Tucked between World Heritage Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is the perfect starting point for your tropical adventure with all the shopping, dining, entertainment, sporting events, adrenalin-pumping adventures and cultural experiences on offer. In less than an hour by boat you can be snorkelling or diving in the Great Barrier Reef and its islands, swim at the Esplanade Lagoon, sample tropical produce at a farmer’s market, shop ‘til you drop, or cruise around the marina. Glide over the rainforest on a Skyrail adventure or step back in time with a train ride to Kuranda, the village in the rainforest.
Cairns City
When you’re in the city, soak up the ambience of the Cairns CBD, a lively tropical precinct in which to enjoy al fresco dining by the water, cool off with a swim at the Esplanade Lagoon, learn about its amazing history, shop ‘til you drop, or just cruise around the marina. Foodies can taste local and organic produce, dine at chic cafes and restaurants, sample tropical foods at a bustling farmer’s market, or visit Cairns Botanic Gardens.
Cairns proximity to the reef, as well as its range of accommodation, dining, and tour options, make it a perfect base for exploring this natural wonder.
The Great Barrier Reef
With more than 100 ways to explore the Great Barrier Reef, Tropical North Queensland offers unrivalled access to the world’s largest coral reef system. Stretching over 2,000 kilometres, the Reef features 3,000 reefs and cays, 1,600 fish species, 600 types of coral and some of the most stunning tropical islands on Earth.
From Cairns, Port Douglas, Mission Beach or Cape Tribulation, daily tours cater to every budget and interest. Snorkel, scuba dive, sail, island hop or join a liveaboard for overnight adventures. Try a glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible, enjoy marine presentations, or relax with a tropical buffet lunch.
For something extra, soar over the reef on a helicopter flight, parasail from an island, dive with Minke whales or witness baby turtles racing to the sea. Half and full-day island trips also offer rainforest walks, calm-water snorkelling, watersports and plenty of time to relax. No visit is complete without experiencing this awe-inspiring natural wonder.

Take a reef trip with Ocean Safari

Clown fish

Get up close to a Green Sea Turtle
DISCOVER
Where the Rainforest
meets the Reef
World Heritage Rainforest
The Wet Tropics of Tropical North Queensland is World Heritage-listed and known for its exceptional natural beauty and biodiversity. It is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including many that are found nowhere else on Earth. The region is also known for its stunning landscapes, including lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and pristine beaches. Cairns is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting.

Barron Falls

Kuranda Scenic Rail

Spot a Southern Cassowary
Australian Tourist Publications acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands represented in this website and pay their respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
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Australian Tourist Publications
Ph: (07) 4041 3600
Level 1, 119 Hartley Street, Cairns, QLD 4870