Ten of the Best Day Trips from Cairns, QLD

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The fabled practice amongst travellers of taking a pen and a map, closing one’s eyes, and dropping the nib at random to choose a place to visit works wonders in Cairns.

Whichever direction you head from Tropical North Queensland’s biggest city, you’ll find something special. Dramatic mountain terrain, towering waterfalls, pristine rainforest, golden beaches, and rolling green farmland are all par for the course. And if your pen should happen to send you out into the Coral Sea, even better! The Great Barrier Reef awaits!

Here’s a checklist of our top ten day trips from Cairns. Arrange your car hire from Cairns Airport and let’s hit the road.

Watch our video of ten top things to do in Cairns:

Ten Amazing Things to Do in Cairns, QLD | City Guide – The Big Bus

Welcome to The Big Bus tour and travel guide’s YouTube Channel. Sitting pretty in Tropical North Queensland, the city of Cairns has undergone an extraordinar…

1. Kuranda

Whether you choose to travel on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, by road up the winding range, or on the high-flying Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda is a must-visit. Located just under 30 kilometres north-west of Cairns, the famous ‘village in the rainforest’ is exactly what it says on the tin: a charming village nestled within the lush UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics rainforest. The township is compact, but brimming with things to do. You’ll easily fill a few hours exploring the markets, independent galleries, and local wildlife attractions. If you have time, take a scenic boat trip on the Barron River (crocs ahoy!) or soak up the epic beauty of Barron Falls.

2. Cairns Botanic Gardens and Palm Cove

This one’s less a day trip; more a ‘day of activity’. The Cairns Botanic Gardens are located about five kilometres north of the city centre in Edge Hill, and you could easily spend four or five hours losing yourself in this exquisite patch of paradise. There are a number of different sections, but those that will be of most interest to visitors are the main Flecker Gardens and Centenary Lakes, which are separated by Collins Avenue.

The Flecker Gardens are the more ‘formal’ of the two (if you can apply that word to a rainforest!). Meander along trim pathways framed by ferns, gingers, and monster staghorns dangling from the limbs of mature trees. You’ll come to the Watkins Munro Martin Conservatory, which houses rare plants and a large population of colourful butterflies. Cross over Collins Avenue to follow the Centenary Lakes Rainforest Boardwalk. Here, nature runs free!

Also to the north of Cairns is the charming resort enclave of Palm Cove, so it makes sense to combine your day at the Gardens with a visit here. The drive from Edge Hill will take you about 30 minutes. Time your arrival for mid to late afternoon as the sun starts to drop and the palm-fringed beach front is bathed in a warm glow. This is undoubtedly one of the most romantic spots in the country!

3. Atherton Tablelands

The undulating Atherton Tablelands west of Cairns host an array of natural attractions, including the volcanic crater lakes of Eacham and Barrine, the Curtain Fig Tree, Lake Tinaroo, and a circuit of spectacular waterfalls. You can cover them all in a single day. Foodies will love visiting the many gourmet artisans based in this area, along with the farm gates and roadside produce stalls that pop up around every bend in the road.

4. Wooroonooran National Park

Densely forested Wooroonooran National Park — an easy hour’s drive south of Cairns — is a microcosm (although at 800 square kilometres, perhaps not so micro) of biodiversity. It’s home to the Mamu Tropical Skywalk, which gives you a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest canopy. Bring your swimmers; you can feed your soul and senses with a plunge into the crystal clear waters of Josephine Falls, Nandroya Falls, Behana Gorge, and the Boulders. Obey all safety signs and supervise children closely.

5. Daintree National Park

In the age-old ecosystem of Daintree National Park, magic happens. This vast protected area has strong significance to the First People and is home to some of the oldest plant and animal species on Earth. Activities that are doable on a day trip from Cairns include visiting the original settlement of Daintree Village, crossing the river to Cape Tribulation on the Daintree River Ferry, or seeking adventure along the spine-jarring Bloomfield Track (only suitable for 4WDs). Whatever you choose to do, exploring the Daintree is an experience unlike any other on the planet.

6. Port Douglas

At the end of what is arguably one of the most scenic drives in the world (one hour from Cairns along the Captain Cook Highway), Port Douglas is the jewel in the crown, the cat that got the cream, and the icing on the cake for day trippers! You’ll run out of cliches well before you run out of appreciation for this charming beachside retreat. Beyond the obvious allure of Four Mile Beach, there are plenty of ways to pass the time in ‘Port’. Explore traditional Kuku Yalanji culture on an Aboriginal owned-and-operated tour, shop up a storm in the bustling boutiques along Macrossan Street, browse for unique gifts and souvenirs at the colourful mid-week craft market, and bedazzle your taste buds in any of the town’s fabulous restaurants.

7. Fitzroy Island

For an I’m-short-on-time taste of the marine magnificence off North Queensland’s coast, Fitzroy Island is an enticing option. Situated just 40 minutes from Cairns Marlin Marina by launch, it’s home to a popular resort, crushed coral beaches, and warm waters teeming with life just metres from the shoreline. There are a range of facilities available for day use, including a bar/bistro and general store. Stinger suits, snorkelling gear, and diving apparatus can all be hired from the beach hut by the main jetty. The hut also runs glass bottom boat trips for those who prefer to stay dry.

8. Green Island

Closer to the main reaches of the Great Barrier Reef is Green Island — a tranquil coral cay estimated to be around 6,000 years old. It’s accessible on a day trip from Cairns by fast catamaran, with a transfer time each way of approximately 45 minutes. Like Fitzroy Island, Green Island has a resort complex and welcomes day guests. Laze on the sublime beaches, snorkel off the shoreline, do a glass bottom boat trip, or go on a self-guided eco walk. Lunch and drinks are available for purchase from various outlets.

9. Outer Great Barrier Reef

For those looking to immerse themselves in the splendour of the outer Great Barrier Reef, Sunlover Cruises makes it possible. Their permanently moored activity pontoon at Moore Reef — 50 kilometres east of Cairns — is equipped with everything you’ll need for delving into the wondrous world beneath the waves. Having transferred out to the pontoon by high-speed catamaran, you’ll enjoy around four hours of snorkelling, diving (additional cost applies), spending time in the underwater observatory, or cruising in a semi-submersible craft. A tropical buffet lunch is included in the tour price and drinks are available for purchase.

10. Chillagoe Caves

If you’re ready to mount a serious inland expedition, consider doing the trip from Cairns out to Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park. It’s a three-hour drive each way and will see you traversing several contrasting landscapes. Believed to be in the vicinity of 400 million years old, Chillagoe was once covered by a shallow sea and is rich in geological marvels — including a vast limestone cave system. Ranger guided tours of this sunless nether region operate daily.

This post was published thanks to Sixt.

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Cover image: Tourism and Events Queensland. Additional images: Bigstock