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About Cairns
Cairns was once a lush rainforest primarily inhabited by the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people. Gimuy was, and still is, the Aboriginal name for the city. Delve deep into the city and its roots and you will still find them inhabiting areas around Cairns and Yarrabah. From a sleepy little town, Cairns has evolved into a tropical playground with an infectious holiday energy.
With access to the most exclusive Great Barrier Reef sites, Cairns cruises are your ticket to the most incredible sightseeing, snorkelling and diving experiences. On these popular cruises, you can enjoy close-up encounters with the abundant marine life and coral gardens that earned the ‘best vacation spot’ status of this region. Also, don’t miss the Cairns boat trips to the exciting Green Island and Fitzroy Island, two stunning islands famous for its stunning beaches and unique snorkelling opportunities.
Ride on a 7.5km-long Skyrail Rainforest Cableway running above the Barron Gorge National Park, journey into the Kuranda Village in the Wet Tropics on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, sunbathe at the man-made Esplanade Lagoon or join a cruise from Cairns for a thrilling snorkel session. Spend days, or even months exploring this tropical oasis!
Cairns Cruise Experiences
Featured Cruises
28 Cruises
Know Before You Go
Best Time To Visit
One of the major highlights of Cairns is its weather…it’s warm all year round and there are many advantages to visiting any time of the year. The weather in Cairns is unlike Australia’s southern regions. It’s generally warm and dry in between May and October and it can be a little hotter in this topical paradise and with more rainfall between November and April – perfect weather from swimming, waterfall hopping and visiting the rainforest!
Regardless of when you visit Cairns there’s always a huge array of activities to entertain you, from white water rafting to skydiving and exploring the wet tropical regions to sunset cruises and snorkelling on the stunning Great Barrier Reef! Cairns is a destination that is just brimming with things to do and is set in the most beautiful natural destination!
Public Holidays
Australia-wide Holidays
1 Jan (Thu) – New Year’s Day
26 Jan (Mon) – Australia Day
3 Apr (Fri) – Good Friday
4 Apr (Sat) – Day following Good Friday
5 Apr (Sun) – Easter Sunday
6 Apr (Mon) – Easter Monday
27 Apr (Mon) – ANZAC Day Holiday
25 Dec (Fri) – Christmas Day
26 Dec (Sat) – Boxing Day
QLD observed holidays:
5 Oct (Mon) – King’s Birthday
4 May (Mon) – Labour Day
28 Dec (Mon) – Additional Public Holiday (Christmas Period)
Regional Holidays:
17 July (Fri) – Cairns Annual Show
Events & Festivals
Cairns Festival (Aug – Sep)
This is the city's premier cultural event, celebrating the city’s 150th year. It’s a 10 day event that includes a Grand Parade, live music, light installations, fireworks and street parties, attracting thousands of locals and tourists to the region.
Cairns Airport IRONMAN (June)
Known as the "Race in Paradise," this is a world-class endurance event that transforms the Northern Beaches and the Esplanade into a high-energy arena, bringing in thousands of global athletes and spectators. It is widely considered one of the most scenic and atmospheric triathlon courses on the global circuit.
The Cairns Show (July)
As Australia's largest regional agricultural show, this is a staple for Tropical North Queensland. It’s the go-to event for families, featuring three days of rides, champion livestock, showbags, arena entertainment and fireworks
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) (July)
Showcasing the rich culture of Queensland’s First Nations people through ethically sourced art, dance and fashion, this is one of Australia’s leading art fairs. Held at the Tanks Art Centre, it attracts international collectors and visitors.
School Holidays
TERM 1 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2026
Queensland: 3 April to 19 April
TERM 2 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2026
Queensland: 27 June to 12 July
TERM 3 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2026
Queensland: 19 September to 5 October
TERM 4 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2026
Queensland: 12 December to 26 January
Accommodation
It is advisable to pre-book your hotel/ accommodation when visiting Cairns as it has a high tourist influx, throughout the year. All major hotels offer airport pick-up & drop off and parking facilities. Plan ahead and enjoy a great stay!
Dining
Cairns is known for its relaxed, laid-back lifestyle, exquisite food, and spectacular views, that’s exactly what you get when you dine out on one of their top restaurants.
Indulge in a variety of delectable dishes in this area, ranging from ocean-fresh seafood to locally procured meats infused with African flavours. Your culinary experience is bound to be exceptional, with an abundance of satisfying meals to choose from.
Transport
Cairns has transport options for all budgets and tastes including the many four-wheel drive tours and day tours that can pick you up and drop back off at the doorstep of your accommodation. Daily bus services are run by Sunbus and take you to most suburbs and beaches, with most routes beginning from the Cairns CBD. You can hail a taxi from the street or order an Uber online.
Cairns Tourist Information
Shopping & Market Hours
In Cairns, you'll discover a selection of fashion and retail shops typically associated with capital cities at “Cairns Central” in the heart of the CBD. The Cairns CBD is home to a range of retailers including local artists, bespoke fashion stores and shops with trinkets and local crafts.
Most shops are open every day of the week, generally between 8am to 5pm, with late night shopping until 9pm on Thursday evenings.
Cairns also has a prominent night market scene, which is active every day of the year from 4pm with entrances on both Abbott St or The Esplanade. The Cairns Night Markets are famous for cool eateries, local crafts, massages and sweet treats and they are a great location to shop for your souvenirs.
Medical Services
The emergency hotline for any assistance from Police, Fire and Ambulance is 000. For non-urgent medical help you can connect on: 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84). Cairns has hospitals namely Cairns Base Hospital, Cairns Private Hospital etc. for any medical service.
Blogs & Articles
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Reef-sponsible Adventures At The Great Barrier Reef
Absolutely, no doubt about it, the Great Barrier Reef is ethereal! This natural wonder is the ultimate crib for so many different marine species. Some of them are veritable reef celebrities – you can’t find them anywhere else on the map.
Posted on Sep 01, 2023
