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As the gateway to the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most popular travel destinations.
And what better way to enjoy it than from the water? From the moment you dock on a Cairns cruise, you’re in for a treat. Spend your time soaking up the beauty of the reef or delving into the deep green of the Daintree Rainforest. Visit the galleries, museums, and attractions dotted across the city, enjoy a splash at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, and shop up a storm in the famous Night Markets. A tropical getaway doesn’t get any better than this!
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…
The beauty of cruising is, of course, that all the logistics are taken care of. There’s no need to organise airport transfers, arrange accommodation, or research tours and attractions. Your job is simply to sit back, relax, and take in the best that Tropical North Queensland has to offer. And Cairns’ cruise terminal is located adjacent to the CBD, meaning you can walk to most city points of interest with ease.
This cruise lover’s guide to visiting Cairns is packed with tips for getting the most from your time in port.
Choose the season that suits you best
Cairns cruises operate all year round, so you have the option of travelling during the season of your choice. The dry season runs between May and November and is the ideal option for visitors looking to escape the cooler temperatures down south. You’ll enjoy plenty of sunshine, low humidity, and average daytime temperatures of around 26 degrees.
Another of the benefits of visiting Cairns at this time of year is the balmy evenings. Take a stroll up on deck enveloped in the warm breeze that comes in off the Coral Sea, and lose yourself in the glittering kaleidoscope of stars twinkling in the cloudless sky.
The ‘green season’, as it’s referred to locally, runs from December through to April and is characterised by higher temperatures and monsoonal rains. Days are generally sunny, temperatures average in the mid 30s, and spectacular thunderstorms are common in the afternoon and evening. But don’t let that rain on your holiday parade! One of the advantages of travelling to the Tropical North at this time of year is that the rainforest flourishes with floral blooms, and native animals tend to be more active (making them easier to spot!).
There’s also a very good reason to consider visiting Cairns during the end-of-year shoulder season (from September through to November): the sea is calm and visibility is at its best for those looking to dive or snorkel on the reef.
Do as much or as little as you like
Some cruise guests like to remain onboard while in port; others want to see and do as much as possible onshore. Being able to choose from a curated list of cruise shore excursions makes the latter so easy. Popular shore excursions in Cairns include the opportunity to hitch a ride on a high-speed catamaran out to the outer Great Barrier Reef and spend your day snorkelling above an octopus’ garden of coral and brightly coloured fish.
Alternatively, you may want to experience the magic of Kuranda — the mountaintop ‘village in the rainforest’. Head up to Kuranda on board the characterful Scenic Railway and return on Skyrail — which will see you gliding high above the rainforest canopy!
You may even have the opportunity to travel further north along the epic Captain Cook Highway to Port Douglas and spend some time exploring this charming resort enclave.
Explore local culture and history with ease
If you prefer to spend your time getting to know Cairns itself, there’s an array of cultural and historical attractions within relatively close proximity to the cruise terminal. So, pull on your walking shoes and head off to explore!
Cairns is a surprisingly historic city and has a wealth of well-maintained period architecture. Download a self-guided heritage walking tour map and tick off the gorgeous former City Council Chambers, columned Cairns Post building (which dates back to 1908), the Old Cairns Post Office, and Old Telegraph Office to name a few.
Learn more of the city’s backstory by visiting the excellent Cairns Museum, which is open from Monday to Saturday. The displays are beautifully presented and cover several different themes — including Cairns’ role in World War II, and the rise of the city as a tourist mecca. There’s also a section dedicated to local Indigenous culture and history.
Art lovers will want to check out the fabulous Cairns Art Gallery, which hosts a dynamic annual programme of exhibitions. The gallery is open daily, and entry is free.
Another city attraction that shouldn’t be missed is the state-of-the-art Cairns Aquarium. This privately owned facility brings the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef (and several other watery ecosystems) to you. The towering tanks filled with reef sharks, manta rays, and gaping groupers are hugely impressive, and you’ll also have the opportunity to see tiny marine dwellers like seahorses and colourful clown fish. This is an experience the whole family will love.
Enjoy the region’s finest flavours
The Atherton Tablelands west of Cairns harbour a plethora of bountiful farms and gourmet food providores. And while you may not have the time to visit them personally, they come to you on board your ship! Your plate will be filled with the incredible bounty of the region: brightly coloured seasonal fruits, and farm fresh vegetables. You’ll be amazed at how good everything looks and tastes!
Convinced that a Cairns cruise is for you? Browse the latest cruise deals to find an option that works for your holiday crew.
This post was published thanks to P&O Cruises.
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Do you have any tips to add to our cruise lover’s guide to visiting Cairns? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.
Cover image: Tourism and Events Queensland. Additional images: Bigstock
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
