Share This Article
If you are going to travel around Australia and want to see the most beautiful places, a visit to Cairns should not be missed. Cairns is the ideal starting point for your day trip to the Great Barrier Reef. From Cairns, it is easy to take a day tour to admire the world’s largest collection of coral reefs. But there is much more beauty to discover near Cairns. And I have listed these beautiful places in the Cairns area for you. These are the best day trips from Cairns. Explore it now!
Great Barrier Reef tour
As I mentioned earlier, you cannot avoid the Great Barrier Reef when you go to Cairns. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and especially for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts. Several boats depart from Cairns harbour, taking you to the most beautiful spots of the Great Barrier Reef.
What to expect on such a tour? Azure water, various types of coral, but mainly a lot of colourful fish. Look around, because who knows, you might even spot stingrays or small sharks. At the Great Barrier Reef, it is always a surprise what you will encounter while snorkelling or diving.
Day Trip to Kuranda Village
Another place not to be missed is Kuranda Village. Just over half an hour’s drive from central Cairns, you’ll find this hippy village. What makes this place so special is that it is in the middle of the rainforest. As a visitor, you can choose whether to take the skyrail or train to Kurana Village. At the skyrail, you get a great view of the rainforest and see how immense this area is. You can also clearly hear the sounds of the rainforest even from that height.
We chose to go there by train and back by skyrail, this way you can experience both modes of transport. In Kurana village itself, you can take another guided boat trip where you will learn more about the flora and fauna of the area. You can also visit Rainforestation Nature Park on your own and get to know all the Australian wildlife.
Fitzroy Island tour
One of the most beautiful Australian islands we have visited is Fitzroy Island. From Cairns, you can be on this idyllic island in 45 minutes, which also features activities such as snorkelling, diving and swimming. With only 1 large resort and a few restaurants, this island really does feel very relaxed and idyllic.
We ourselves stayed at the Fitzroy Island Resort for 1 night. During our stay on the island, we snorkelled, swam and did a short hike. We also enjoyed the sunset and delicious food overlooking the sea in the evening. When you catch the boat from Cairns towards Fitzroy Island, you suddenly find yourself in a whole other world. And that’s just 45 minutes from bustling Cairns.
Don’t have time to stay overnight on the island? Then I also have good news! There are several tours you can book to this island, allowing you to experience the beauty of this tropical island in a day.
Daintree National Park tour
Another stunning spot, but slightly further from Cairns, is Daintree National Park. This immense rainforest is the ideal destination for people with a love of nature. Daintree National Park is home to a great diversity of trees and plants, but there is also plenty to discover in terms of wildlife here.
For instance, Daintree is also the habitat of the Cassowary, the most dangerous bird in the world. But it is also home to an incredibly wide variety of spiders, snakes and tropical birds. A walk through this national park guarantees sounds you’ve never heard before.
Even during heavy tropical rains (it is still the rainforest, of course), it is a treat to walk there. You can book several tours towards Daintree National Park from Cairns. Do you have your own hire car? Then we have another great tip for a stay: stay overnight at Daintree Wilderness Lodge. Staying overnight in the middle of Daintree National Park is really great and we recommend it!
Green Island tour
If you can’t get enough of the Great Barrief Reef, a visit to Green Island is also highly recommended. Located off the coast of Cairns, this beautiful island is known for its natural beauty. Indeed, you will find clear blue waters with rich marine life. In other words: the perfect location for snorkelling. It is not a popular destination among tourists for nothing. Besides snorkelling activities, water sports enthusiasts can also rent a canoe or kayak and explore the area at their own pace. There are also glass-bottom boat trips you can take if you prefer not to go into the water yourself. From Cairns, several day tours can be booked to Green Island.
More day trips from Cairns
And there are many more fun tours and activities around Cairns, including Cairns Aquarium, Paronella Park and Cairns Zoom & Wildlife Dome.
