If you’re on holiday or backpacking this guide will recommend how to best enjoy the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns was one of my favourite places in Australia and if you can only visit one place I think this should be it.
Where to stay
There’s lots of hotels to choose from but if you’re backpacking I recommend Giligan’s Hostel. It’s known as a party hostel with its on nightclub and pool parties but it was the cleanest and safest hostel I’d been to in Australia. I shared an 8 bed dorm where all the girls got along so well we had the best time. There’s a 24/7 reception and as a solo female traveller it’s good to stay where the nightlife is as if you want to go to bed you’re not walking home on your own.
What to eat
Cruze Coffee (a few doors down from Giligan’s) is the best coffee I’ve ever had. They have a huge selection and the team there are so friendly and welcoming.
Hemingway Brewery- big ceilings with indoor and outdoor seating and fantastic food and drinks selections this was my favourite restaurant.
Woolworths- if you’re on a budget Woolies is your new best friend. Australia is notoriously expensive but you can get a quarter chicken from the hot counter for $4, fresh sushi and salads and also a range of healthy looking ready meals which often have yellow labels to bag a bargain. Most hostels have at least a microwave so you can make your own food.
What to do
You can’t come to Cairns and not go to the Great Barrier Reef. Try to book a tour to the outer reef as that’s best. I booked with Passions of Paradise who were fantastic. I did my first ever scuba dive which I was really nervous about but was such a fun experience. There’s no more than 4 to an instructor and mine held my hand the whole time as I was nervous. Saw nemo fish, sharks and lots of other fish including clams and a blue star fish. I didn’t see a turtle but that’s because you won’t see turtles and sharks in the same place.
From Cairns you can get a ferry to Fitzroy Island where Nudey Beach has been voted most beautiful beach in Australia. Despite the name this isn’t a nude beach guys! After visiting Whitsundays I doubted this could be more beautiful but it in fact was! Stunning waters with light to deep blue and reef sharks swimming up to the shoreline. You can hire stinger suits and snorkel gear to go in the water my friends also saw a turtle at the other end of the bay. There’s a turtle conservation on the island too which I’ve heard great things about (closed on Mondays and that was the only day I could visit). Foxys is the restaurant on the island or if you want to save pennies bring a packed lunch. The return ferry is $50 which at first I thought was steep for a 40 minute ferry but it was well worth it in my opinion.
Daintree Rainforest- visit the world’s oldest rainforest. Go on a crocodile cruise, eat green ants (lemon lime or sour flavour) and see cape tribulation where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef.
Kuranda scenic railway- if you book direct you can get a gold class ticket for a similar price of a standard ticket with another provider. You don’t need to coach transfer as the train is behind the shopping mall so 5 minute walk from Giligan’s or 15 from the marina. Beautiful scenery including Baron Falls and the train itself is pretty spectacular.
Kuranda Rainforestation- if you don’t have time between the scenic railway and your cable car down then book a separate trip with coach transfers to this place. Go on an Army Duck tour of the rainforest, hug a koala, feed kangaroos, go on a dream walk with Aborigines and throw a boomerang. Really fantastic day ticking off the Aussie bucket list.
Kuranda might even have been my favourite rainforest. The people behind Avatar studied it to creat Pandora so it really is a special place.
As you can see there’s so many things to do in Cairns you need to spend at least a week there. Diverse, friendly and tropical there’s something for everyone (just not those who can’t handle the hot weather!)