For our trip to Cairns, we stayed at the Holiday Inn. The hotel itself is a little older, but it was nice and the staff was very kind. It was a little more affordable, but one thing to note is that it is a bit of a far walk from the downtown area (about 30 minutes). We found Ubers to be relatively cheap so that was a nice alternative to always walking if you don't have a car (if you do have a car, the hotel offers free parking!).
Day 1: Daintree Rainforest
For your first full day in Cairns, I would recommend a tour of the Daintree Rainforest. You can drive this on your own, but we appreciated doing a tour because they knew exactly where to take us and some of the roads aren't great.
We used the Billy Tea Safaris service, which is linked below. We liked that it offered a crocodile spotting cruise, a trip up to Cape Tribulation Beach and the ability to swim in Emmogen Creek.
Be prepared for some long drives on the bus as you head to and from the Rainforest. It is a good time to relax, catch up on sleep, enjoy the views, or listen to the guide's stories. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and had lots of stories to tell so it made the time pass quickly. We'd recommend this tour service!
Day 2: The Great Barrier Reef
We cruised on and snorkeled off of the boat Evolution run by Down Under Cruise and Dive (below is a direct link to book the same snorkeling experience!). You must a visit the Great Barrier Reef during your time to Cairns - It was a highlight!
We really enjoyed our time with this company.
The all day tour included a boat ride out to the reefs. The company was very well organized. We got our stinger suits, goggles, and flippers all ready before we left the dock as well as during the ride out. This way, you were able to relax a bit while we rode out to the reef and once we got there you could jump right in. They have a rope that provides a barrier that you can swim within, but the water did not feel crowded even though the boat was full. They had lunch prepared for us on the boat and had drinks for sale. We got to swim in two different reef locations which was great to see different things.
Other Ideas in Cairns
If you have time during your stay in Cairns (perhaps later at night after your snorkel cruise), Rusty's Market is a popular place to visit. It is a late night market offering cheaper souvenirs, massages, food, and other things.
Located in the downtown area is a large pool area. Due to the crocodiles in the area the beaches are not safe to swim on, so this public pool provides a good place to layout if you can't do so at your hotel. There are also grills and spaces available to picnics.
Did you not get enough of the underwater life after snorkeling? Or do you want to learn more about the animals that you saw? We didn't visit, but we heard great things about the aquarium.
Day 3: Kuranda and Wildlife
We rented a car for our last day so we could explore a nearby city, Kuranda. Linked below is a popular tour option that offers a train ride and skyrail ride.
The park offers other attractions, such as Aboriginal Experiences and an Army Duck Rainforest Tour.
After we saw all of the animals and did what we wanted around the Park, we drove to the city of Kuranda. Coondoo St. is the main road in Kuranda that has restaurants and shops on it. We were able to find a free parking spot on a side street so we could get out and walk around.
Take your time exploring the many shops in the area. You are likely to find some gems! We bought a few 'souvenirs' that are so useful, such as kitchen items. Once you are ready to leave the city, the last stop we made was to Barron Falls. The drive out there was a little confusing because our Google Maps took us to an old viewing location that is now a private road. This is NOT where you want to be. The address you should follow is below. It will take you to a parking lot and a trail to the viewpoint.
Barron Gorge National Park, 101 Barron Falls Rd, Kuranda QLD 4881, Australia
Once you begin walking the elevated trail from the parking lot you will come across a viewpoint. Don't stop here! The view is pretty, but it gets much better. About a 10-15 minute walk on the bridge trail will let you cross the railroad tracks and get a better view of the falls.
The train that I mentioned before has a stop at the falls. The train stop is the end of the walking path. During that 20 minute period, the viewpoint gets very busy. If you can avoid it during this time, I'd recommend it. Otherwise stick around once the train leaves to have the view more to yourself.
Thank you for reading -- Please leave feedback or a tip if this guide was helpful to you! I hope you enjoy your time in Australia and get to see all of the nature and wildlife the area has to offer.
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