Tropical North Queensland in Australia is a holiday paradise, and Cairns is no exception. Originally settled in 1876, Cairns has grown into one of the top destinations in Australia. The tropical climate and proximity to many great attractions draws many people to take a Cairns holiday. With the Great Barrier Reef nearby as well as the tropical rainforest the attractions are some of the most exciting in Australia. Add to that the sunny beaches and friendly locals, it is no wonder that so many people take a Cairns holiday each year.
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What to Do on your Cairns Holiday
There is one thing for sure when it comes to taking a Cairns holiday – you will never be bored. Tropical North Queensland, and in particular Cairns, has everything from the Great Barrier Reef, white water rafting, sailing, country town markets, exotic fishing, rainforest hikes and tours, and an array of other city centre attractions that keep people coming back to Cairns year after year.
The Great Barrier Reef is an experience in itself. The array of marine wildlife is amazing and the exotic colours are something you just can’t find anywhere else in the world. You can plan a full day around the Great Barrier Reef to include scuba diving or snorkelling, boating, paddling in the shallow waters, or just some deep sea fishing. You can also spend some time in Green Island which is situated literally on the Great Barrier Reef.
The village of Kuranda is where you want to go if you are looking for a rainforest experience. Just 25km outside of Cairns, Kuranda is surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest. With shops, markets, hiking trails, and amazing accommodations Kuranda is a popular day trip for everyone on a Cairns holiday.
In the city centre, Cairns offers the famed Cairns Esplanade which is the heart of the city. With markets, nightlife, fine dining, and so much more such as historic buildings, museums, art galleries, and plenty of shopping.
Cairns Events
The events in Cairns are as frequent as the tourists arriving. One of the most popular events, The Cairns Show, has become the largest agricultural show of its kind. Attracting over 70,000 visitors a year you will see some of the more beautiful flowers, farm and produce exhibits, historical displays, and loads of entertainment for the kids and adults alike. The Festival Cairns is also a huge event with action packed programs of music, sports, foods, wine, art, and entertainment. Often touted as one of the best in Australia, this event surely brings fun into Cairns every year.
Cairns Accommodations
Cairns accommodations are varied and range from the 5-star resorts like the Hilton and Radisson to the quiet secluded cottages in the outskirts of Cairns. From the high rise to the private apartments, you can live like a king or queen or you can find a family friendly Cairn accommodation to meet your needs. Just as any other city has loads of places to stay, Cairns is no exception. If you really want to do something special then the Green Island Resort, which is located on the Great Barrier Reef, has 46 suites available to indulge and pamper you in their upscale retreat. Whatever budget you have, you will find many places to meet your needs.
Places To Eat on your Cairns Holiday
The restaurants that you will find on your Cairns holiday rank as some of the best in Australia. Even considering the small population, there is a variety of quality cuisine that includes outstanding local fresh produce, seafood, and traditional fare. On your Cairns holiday you can experience ethnic foods of almost any culture such as Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian, Italian, Indian, Vegetarian, or even Swiss. You can enjoy fine dining that will have you licking your lips, or casual cafes on the Cairns Esplanade. In the Cairns suburbs you will find small boutique eateries or you can head to Cairns northern beaches for some of the best beachside retreats in Australia. From trendy to traditional you can find it all on your Cairns holiday.
Entertainment on your Cairns Holiday
The entertainment in on your Cairns holiday is enough to keep you there forever. After a tough day of hiking, swimming, playing and snorkelling you will want to relax in one of the many pubs and clubs, bars and cafes, or even at a party by the beach. There are Cairns cinemas to catch up on the local movies and of course the bars that open early enough to serve both food and drinks. With late night live music some of the best bars can be found in hotels and in the Cairns Esplanade. From sports bars to karaoke bars, there are practically more pubs and clubs then people. The Reef Casino is a popular spot to go to on a Cairns holiday with well known musicians, plenty of restaurants, and gaming. It is located where the Cairns Esplanade meets Trinity Wharf. The Cairns nightclubs stay open the latest and with so many to choose from, you can walk from one to another if you are looking for different types of music.
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Cairns Weather
There is no mistaking that Cairns is very hot during the summer. Add to that the humidity during the summer, it feels much warmer than even the temperature of 29 degrees will make you think. The other parts of the year, the climate is quite perfect. There are usually blue skies, warmer weather and gentle breezes. However, it does rain between the months of November to May with some months averaging over 400mm of rainfall, but as most people agree, it just makes Cairns look all the more greener and beautiful.
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Cairns
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Getting Around Cairns
Getting around on your Cairns holiday is easy because the city is compact and it is flat so you can walk, bicycle or just hail a taxi. There are also taxi ranks where you they stay until they find a passenger. These areas are posted well around the city. If you want to stay in the city there are plenty of buses and shuttles to take you around, but if you are looking to explore the suburbs you will need to rent a car, or hire a car to take you where you need to go. This is especially true if you want to check out the rainforests, although there are some Cairns holiday tours that will provide buses for you to take day trips to the rainforest.
How to Get to Cairns
As the main gateway to the Tropical Far North, Cairns airport boasts both international and domestic terminals. There are many direct flights from the major cities such as the United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and others. As the fifth busiest airport in Australia, you will certainly find flights both in and out of the airport that are convenient to you. In order to get to your hotel you can take a shuttle, bus, or taxi cab. Another way to get to Cairns includes a train ride. There are four trains that can take you from big cities such as Brisbane to Cairns. It is only 1700 km from Brisbane, and 2700 from Sydney so if your Cairns holiday includes sightseeing through all of Australia, an air conditioned train is an excellent way to see some of the best of Queensland and the Tropical North.
