Things to do in  Cairns & the Tropical North

Encompassing almost 3,000 individual reefs and dotted with 900 islands and coral cays (small sandy isles), Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most unforgettable natural treasures. Snorkelers and certified divers flock here from all over to see the unparalleled array of marine life.

Marooned off the coast of Cairns in north Queensland, Green Island is a tropical paradise of lush rainforest, white sandy beaches, and crystalline waters. The idyllic island is part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and harbors a variety of coral reefs, exotic fish, and marine life.

Marking the southern border of Daintree National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mossman Gorge is one of the most popular places to experience the world’s oldest rain forest. Dating back more than 130 million years, the dense forest and scenic river gorge harbor a rich biodiversity and provide a stunning backdrop for hikers and swimmers.

From the dramatic jungle-clad gorges, wild rivers, and tumbling waterfalls of Daintree National Park to the deserted coast of Cape Tribulation along the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest is Australia’s largest stretch of rain forest, covering 460 square miles (1,200 square kilometers). A protected UNESCO World Heritage Site and a hiker’s paradise, the rainforest is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity.

Winding through ancient rainforests, dramatic gorges, and the UNESCO-listed landscapes of Queensland’s tropical north, Kuranda Scenic Railway is a top Australia train journey. The route runs 23 miles (37 kilometers) from Cairns to Kuranda. It passes through 15 tunnels and across 37 bridges and affords views of Barron Gorge National Park.

Soaring through the treetops of Barron Gorge National Park, the 4.7-mile-long (7.5-kilometer) Skyrail Rainforest Cableway offers an unforgettable outdoor experience. Glide over North Queensland’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed tropical rain forest and enjoy unbeatable aerial views over its forests, gorges, and waterfalls.

Queensland’s Barron Gorge National Park extends from the town of Lake Placid, and the surrounding lowlands, all the way to the high Atherton Tableland. The area—which is full of beautiful forests, waterfalls, gorges, and wildlife—is easily accessible from the city of Cairns and is one of the most popular outdoor areas in the region.

The Rainforestation Nature Park is 100 acres (40.5 hectares) of pristine UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest in Kuranda, just half an hour’s drive from Cairns. Here, visitors can get up close to native Australian animals as trained wildlife keepers lead guests along boardwalks where they can experience uninterrupted views of crocodiles, dingoes, wombats, snakes, kangaroos, and wallabies, as well as learn about Aboriginal culture and traditions.

Fitzroy Island is a small forest-covered island fringed by white-sand beaches that lies in the sheltered Great Barrier Reef. Easily accessible from Cairns, it’s a popular day-trip destination and you can also stay there overnight at the resort or campground. Most of the island is protected as part of the Fitzroy Island National Park.

Offering welcome relief from the sweltering temperatures of Queensland’s tropical north, the sweeping plateaus of the Atherton Tablelands lie within easy day-trip distance of Cairns. Covering an area of 20,000 square miles (32,000 square kilometers), the lush landscapes also provide scenic terrain for bush walking and bird-watching.

Cairns Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world to exclusively showcase aquatic life from Australia’s Tropical North Queensland, a region that borders the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rain forest, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Family-friendly and fun, the aquarium is home to 71 different exhibits of marine life.

From the electric blue Ulysses to the vibrant Cairns Birdwing, more than 2,000 tropical butterflies call the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary home. Located in Kuranda village, the aviary–which opened in 1987–teaches visitors about the fluttery critters through immersive exhibits and a breeding lab where you can watch scientists at work.

Located in the village of Kuranda, this compact wildlife park gives you the chance to have close encounters with native Australian wildlife. Free-range enclosures are surrounded by lush rainforest and play host to kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and koalas, while freshwater crocodiles glide through a tropical lagoon.

In Tropical North Queensland, Birdworld Kuranda offers visitors the chance to surround themselves with the color and beauty of birds from all corners of the world. Dotted with waterfalls, ponds, and plants, the rainforest habitat is home to nearly 60 species of the feathered variety, making this one of the largest collections of free-flying birds in Australia.

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures introduces visitors to Australia’s most famous reptiles (and other native species) through an informative and educational day out. Visitors can observe crocs on a cruise through a lagoon mimicking the creatures’ natural habitat and learn how crocodiles are sustainably farmed.