Cairns recommendation by Ian
This is a fantastic hotel, and situated right in the middle of everything. The restaurant at this hotel is fantastic and breakfast is amazing! There are 2 bars one inside the hotel and other is a swim up bar at the outside pool. The hotel has its own day trip booking desk with no extra charges put on top of your trip - they are just there to help you get the most out of your days. We booked a trip to Kuranda for the day and everything was arranged for us, all we had to do was be ready in the hotel lobby for 8am for a driver to come collect us for our day out. The hotel staff are so friendly, it was... read the full recommendation
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Welcome to Cairns. International gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,  Wet Tropics rainforest and the only place on earth where two World Heritage-listed areas meet.
Cairns is in Queensland, 1682km north of Brisbane, 2407km north of Sydney or 2551km north of Australia's capital city, Canberra.
Here we enjoy around 300 days of sunshine a year, plenty of s-p-a-c-e and a friendly, relaxed tropical lifestyle. With World Heritage-listed rainforest on one side and Great Barrier Reef on the other, it’s no wonder Cairns is one of Australia’s most popular holiday and vacation destinations.
Just 15 minutes from the Cairns international and domestic airports, and within easy reach of coach, four-wheel drive, boat, helicopter and seaplane tours, Cairns is the perfect base to start and finish of your tropical Australian adventure.
A modern, sophisticated city with world class shopping, dining, entertainment and cultural facilities, Cairns has dozens of restaurants, accommodation, bars, the Esplanade lagoon, our own national basketball team, and international art gallery. Cairns is the most environmentally sustainable conference and event venue in the world; and the tropical holiday destination you’ve been searching for.
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Cairns accommodation providers range from luxurious five star hotels and resorts to family friendly hotels, motels and cheerful backpacker hostels and share-houses – the only hard part about staying in Cairns is leaving!
 More than 2,000 passengers depart Cairns’ new Reef Fleet Terminal every day to swim among thousands of colourful tropical fish and coral on the Great Barrier Reef and islands.
Cairns is your natural departure lounge for exciting regional highlights such as Port Douglas, Daintree Rainforest, the Atherton Tablelands, Mission Beach, Cape York, and Gulf Savannah.
It is also home to one of Australia’s busiest cruise ports, with more than 180 international and domestic cruise ship movements each year.
We have 600+ Cairns tours and local attractions departing daily. Check out the highlights and editors pick below to find out more about what you can see and do in and around Cairns and start planning your ideal tropical holiday today!
Thinking of moving to Cairns? Visit Think TNQ
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The Lagoon/Esplanade Life...Have fun in the sun at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon! An amazing beach & pool, beach volleyball courts, BMX/skate park, public BBQs & exercise areas, spend a couple of hours or stay all day.
Walsh’s Pyramid...Climb 922 vertical metres and conquer the highest, natural free standing pyramid in the world right here in Cairns and Great Barrier Reef – make sure you bring your camera!
Red/Blue Arrow Walks...See a range of rainforest vegetation, introduced bamboo, brush turkeys and other birds then enjoy views of Cairns city, ocean and mangroves on the 40 minute the Mt Whitfield’s ‘Red Arrow’, part of the Yirrganydji Cultural and Historical Trail.
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The Great Barrier Reef
Discover the world’s largest, most spectacular coral reef system and a whole new world on earth where diving, snorkelling, sailing, cruising and island hopping among more than 6,600 species of marina flora and fauna is a part of everyday life.
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World Heritage-listed Rainforest
Wander through 135 million year old ancient living museums rich with thousands of flora, and species of marsupials, reptiles, birds and butterflies.
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Ancient Culture
Experience two of the world’s oldest surviving cultures with a magical trip back in time as our Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people share their stories and way of life.
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Wildlife Encounters
Visit a wildlife park, grab a map and guide yourself or join a wildlife tour and catch a glimpse of native animals and other tropical wildlife foraging, flitting, and occasionally fighting in their natural habitats.
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Diving,
Snorkelling,
Rafting,
Kayaking,
Bungy Jumping,
Sightseeing,
Shopping,
Scenic Flight,
Ballooning,
Skydiving,
Fishing,
Off Road/4WD Safari ,
Wilderness,
Bush walking,
Birding,
Golf,
Winery & Distillery,
Nature Park,
Guided Tour,
Water Sports,
Produce ,
Drive,
Horse riding,
Whale watching,
Wildlife spotting,
Learn to dive,
Overnight dive trip,
Cruise,
World Heritage,
All Terrain Vehicles,
Unique Experiences,
Guest House,
Hotel,
Motel,
Apartments and Houses,
Resort,
Backpacker,
Caravan and Camping Park,
Lodge,
Kick back with a tropical wine or cocktail and feel your taste buds cheer with delight when you sample delicious treats of the tropics at one of more than 200 restaurants, bars and cafés in the region.
Many of our city’s restaurants are concentrated in the Market Square precinct or on the marina in Cairns CBD.
Try fresh, locally caught seafood, beef, indigenous bush foods, and gourmet tropical produce including exotic fruits, dairy products, fresh vegetables, preserves, tea, coffee and wine.
Australia's Cairns and Great Barrier Reef has a variety of shopping experiences to delight even the most critical "shop-a-holic".
You’ll find it so easy to relax and shop the day away at regular markets including the famous Rusty’s and Port Douglas Sunday Markets, the Esplanade Markets in Cairns, or the Yungaburra and Kuranda Rainforest Village Markets on the Tropical Tablelands. If you’re looking to indulge, browse boutiques in Port Douglas, or relax, rejuvenate and reconnect in tropical serenity with a spa treatment in Palm Cove.
Indulge in the latest fashion, home wares, electronics and more at major and speciality retailers such as DFS Galleria, Cairns Central, Stockland Earlville, Smithfield shopping centre and factory outlet centre DFO Cairns. Wander through the many specialty shops, Centre of Contemporary Arts, or the Cairns Regional Gallery in the Cairns CBD and pick up some music, art or fashion by local and internationally renowned artists and designers.
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