Is Cairns Worth It? Pros and Cons to visiting in North Queensland!
If you’re planning a trip to North Queensland, you’ve probably wondered: is Cairns worth visiting? With its reputation as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is on countless itineraries, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for everyone.
The challenge for many travellers is that Cairns comes with both pros and cons. On one hand, it offers easy access to world-class natural attractions, and tropical weather most of the year. On the other, the city itself isn’t exactly filled with beaches, can feel tourist-heavy, and can be expensive depending on when you visit.
So, how do you know if it’s the right fit for your holiday? Having visited Cairns more than 20 times over the years, I’ll share my honest review, comparing the highlights with the drawbacks so you can decide if it belongs on your itinerary.
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Is Cairns Worth Visiting
Overall, I think Cairns is definitely worth visiting for a variety of reasons. Start with it being a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, a nature lovers hangout with the Daintree National Park, and who could forget the Kuranda Train & Skyrail experience!
Additionally, If you’re after a refreshing swim, you’ll be spoiled for choice with the numerous waterfalls and waterholes in the area. Therefore, with such a diverse range of experiences on offer, Cairns truly has all the elements of a perfect vacation.
➡ Find Cairns Accommodation HERE with Booking.com
✅ Pros – Reasons it’s worth visiting?
So, what are my reasons that make Cairns Worth visiting?
Well, this beautiful city of Cairns is located at the top end (see map here) and with over 150 thousand people already calling it home, you’ll indeed find a community to fit in with.
But what should you know when trying to decide for your group? This is exactly what I’ll start discussing below!
1. Kuranda Village and Scenic Train
Kuranda is worth seeing, but what makes it so memorable is the train ride there. Imagine winding through the rainforest, luscious greenery of the mountains, where you can admire gorgeous views.
➡ Find Kuranda Tours HERE with GYG, Or HERE with Viator.
The village itself is charming, with a quaint atmosphere and local markets that offer souvenirs, locally made products, and food. Not only that but the animal experiences and tours offered definitely add to the experience.
You can visit the Butterfly Sanctuary, the Koala Gardens containing heaps of Australian wildlife, Birdworld, and spot crocodiles on the Barron River Cruise.
2. Skyrail Gondola
There is more than one way to get to Kuranda Village. But while you can choose between them both, I recommend the best way is by taking the train to Kuranda and returning to Cairns on the famous Skyrail Gondola.
➡ Search Kuranda Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.
The Skyrail Cableway is the quickest option, but in some ways, more scenic. Instead of driving through the rainforest, you are soaring above it. You can even take that one step further, get a glass bottom gondola, and view looking straight down.
Most of the time, your group is the only one in the gondola, and you can enjoy the tranquil setting as you glide back down to Cairns. You can even get on and off at the Barron Falls lookout and the rainforest boardwalk.
3. Islands are not far off the coast
There are a couple of ways to visit the Great Barrier Reef, and visiting one of the nearby Islands is a great start. Green Island is not only just over an hour away, making it one of the closer areas to Cairns, but it’s also great value for money.
➡ Find Island Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.
There are so many superb activities on Green Island. This includes snorkelling the reef, sunbaking on the beach, and swimming in the resort pool. Not only that, but accessing the Bar for a drink or Café for a bite to eat.
Considering we were on the inner Reef section, I was surprised at how much animal life was around and ended up gliding with a Turtle for ages. With shallower waters, it’s easier to navigate and is a fantastic option for families or those new to snorkelling. Not only that, but the Island is the National Park, and there is a short walk through the bushland.
4. Snorkelling in the Outer Reef
If you’re planning to dip your toes into the Great Barrier Reef, you have two options to choose from.
The first option is to stay closer to an Island, where you can snorkel from the shores or walk into the sea from the beach. But if you’re looking for a more immersive experience, visiting the outer reef is the second option.
➡ Find Outer Reef Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.
However, the Outer Reef tours come with some downsides, it takes longer to get there, it’s generally more expensive, but the deeper waters offer a wider variety of underwater creatures.
And don’t worry about the facilities since you’re doing all these activities from a purpose-built platform, which is big enough to service a few hundred tourists.
5. You can Ride the Ferris Wheel
Something a little closer and easier to get to in central to the city. The Reef Eye Ferris Wheel is located along the Esplanade and is a popular tourist attraction.
This incredible Wheel offers 360-degree views of the city and surrounding area from 35 metres above the ground. Whether you’re looking for a thrilling experience or just a peaceful ride, the Ferris Wheel is sure to impress.
With each gondola holding up to 6 people and tickets costing just $10 per adult, it’s easy to get a group together and take in the sights. Plus, with no booking required and hours running from 10 am to 10 pm, you’ll have plenty of time to fit this fantastic adventure into your schedule.
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6. There is a Lagoon Pool
The Lagoon is the perfect spot to spend a day with your group on holidays. Whether you want to have a quick dip to cool off from the heat or stay for hours, this lagoon is the ultimate destination.
What’s more, there are plenty of amenities available, including picnic tables, Barbeques, showers, bathrooms, and lockers, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. The best part? The lagoon is open until 9 pm every night so that you can enjoy the summer breeze even after sunset!
7. Explore the Oldest Rainforest in the world
Have you ever wanted to step into a prehistoric world? If you answered yes, then the Daintree National Park should be added to your Itinerary. With its ancient rainforest that’s even older than the Amazon, it’s easy to imagine a T-Rex roaming around.
➡ Search Daintree Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.
Although you won’t find any dinosaurs here, you’ll definitely find an abundance of natural beauty and fun activities to do. From winding roads and lakes to crocodile cruises, hiking through the forest, or interesting tree-top walks.
Day trip tours from Cairns make it easy to experience all that the Daintree National Park has to offer. So find the best option to suit your situation and explore something over 135 million years old.
8. Lots of places to Stay?
One of the first things you’ll need to consider when booking your holiday is finding a place to stay in Cairns. Fortunately, this tropical city has a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and preferences.
Whether you’re a backpacker seeking a simple dorm bed or a luxury traveler searching for five-star comfort, Cairns has choices available for you. I prefer to go for a mid-range option with parking since I’m always touring with a car. But I also look at cooking facilities to save some money there too.
9. See Saltwater Crocodiles in the Wild.
North Queensland is common for Saltwater Crocodiles, and you’ll find plenty of tours taking you spotting along the river. These tours provide a safe and thrilling opportunity to see these massive and ferocious creatures up close and personal. You can even find baby Crocodiles!
➡ Find Daintree Rainforest Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.
Multiple tour companies offer hour-long excursions down the river, making it easy to fit into your schedule. And if you’re worried about how to get there, fear not! You can even include it as part of a larger day-trip tour or stop off on your self-drive tour.
Check out my YouTube video on the Daintree National Park and Crocodile Cruise to get a glimpse of what you could see!
10. Chasing Waterfalls
Are you ready to explore some of the best waterfalls near Cairns? Why settle for just one when there are heaps within two hours of the city?
Even some, like Crystal Cascades that are as close as 20 minutes away!
➡ Find Waterfall Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.
For the ultimate convenience, I highly recommend hiring a car for the day and driving yourself. This will give you the freedom of time and the ability to come and go as you please. But if you prefer having a guide and don’t mind missing out on a couple of waterfalls, tour options are available.
Some of my personal favourites are Babinda Boulders, Barron Falls (in Season), Mossman Gorge, Millaa Millaa Falls, and Josephine Falls.
In Fact getting to the Atherton Tablelands waterfalls is a wonderful day trip.
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❌ Cons – Reasons Not to visit?
1. You don’t have the budget for it.
While I see Cairns as a more budget-friendly option with two UNESCO World Heritage areas, it’s still not one of the cheapest places to visit. That being said, there are ways to save money and limit the activities you do.
Day tours are a popular way to see the sights, but they can be pricey, especially to the Great Barrier Reef. But do your research and find out precisely what you want to get out of your day on the reef and make it more worthwhile.
Regarding the Daintree National Park, I always find tours brilliant for those wanting to avoid driving. But if you have a few people, then hiring a car might be a better option.
2. The Beach in Cairns is not for swimming.
Think again if you plan on hitting the beach during your trip. As much as I would love to tell you otherwise, the beach directly off the City is simply not worth it for Two reasons.
Firstly for Stingers and crocodiles, and secondly, it’s more of a mangrove beach than for sun-baking.
Know that any nice-looking beach near Cairns will require driving north or South of the city or purchasing a tour to one of the Islands. Remember that Stingers and Crocodiles can still be present on these beaches near Cairns, but they are nicer for walking along and hanging out in the sun.
3. You don’t have enough days to spend there.
If you’re planning a trip to Cairns, you will need to set aside a bit of time. Don’t get me wrong, there are options for seeing Cairns in a day, but you are limiting yourself.
Trust me, it’s not because the locals are trying to keep tourists around for longer (although I don’t think anyone would complain about that!) It’s just that there’s so much to see and do!
While Cairns is not a big city, I’ve spent plenty of weekends there, but only crossing one or two things off my list. Therefore, I recommend at least 5 to 7 days for a first-timer, or if it’s the only time you’ll get to see it.
How to Get around?
First and foremost, I’ll always prefer driving around myself and Hiring a car. Many places don’t offer tours, and sometimes these hidden gems can’t be missed.
Not only that, but driving around on your own time schedule is easier to organise and takes less time than public transportation.
➡Find your favourite brand & compare prices for your Rental Car HERE
Apart from the usual Uber, Taxi, Shuttle Busses, or ridesharing services, and there’s also the bus transportation. Not only are they more affordable and eco-friendly, but they also offer a unique way to unwind and enjoy the scenery while on the go.
Wrap Up & Read More!
All in all, the city of Cairns definitely offers everything from adventure to outdoor lifestyle and tourists looking to relax. You’re sure to have a wonderful time here, taking in the sights, engaging with local culture, and enjoying recreational activities.
So if you’re ready to experience Cairns and its amazing attractions, book your trip today. However, if you’re still in research mode, gain more insights with my other Cairns Blogs.
Thanks for reading this blog today and finding out – Is Cairns worth visiting and also when it’s not. I hope you found what you were looking for, but please uncover more Queensland travel blogs for ideas on where else to explore.
