Sights in Cairns
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Cairns Foreshore Promenade
The undisputed highlight of the Cairns Foreshore Promenade is the 4800-sq-m saltwater swimming lagoon, a feat in landscape architecture bringing the beach-cum-swimming experience to the heart of the city. Fitness enthusiasts blade, cycle or just walk the 3km Esplanade Walking Trail, and travellers meander lazily up and down the Esplanade, popping into restaurants and shops until the wee hours.
reviewed
-
B
Tjapukai Cultural Park
Owned and run by Indigenous Australians, the terrific Tjapukai Cultural Park combines interesting aspects of Indigenous culture with showbiz. It includes the creation theatre, which tells the story of creation using giant holograms and actors; there’s also a dance theatre, and boomerang- and spear-throwing demonstrations (have a go!). The shop has authentic work from across the country. Shuttle-bus transfers leave Cairns hourly, picking up guests from their accommodation.
reviewed
-
C
Flecker Botanic Gardens
Flecker Botanic Gardens, northwest of the city centre, is dominated by the magnificent rainforest, but there are also plots of bush-tucker plants and the Gondwanan Evolutionary Trail, which begins with 415-million-year-old blue-green algae (Quaternary) and reaches its standing ovation in the Age of Angiosperms (now). Two hour-long guided walks through the gardens are available, or pick up a brochure and take yourself on a self-guided walk.
reviewed
-
Crystal Cascades
About 20km from Cairns, the Crystal Cascades are a series of beautiful waterfalls and pools. You will need a friendly local or a cab to get you there but it is worth the effort. The area is accessed by a 1.2km pathway (suitable for wheelchairs) and is a great spot for a dip, particularly in the summer months when the stingers make the beaches unsafe.
reviewed
-
Mt Whitfield
Opposite the gardens the Rainforest Boardwalk leads to Saltwater Creek and Centenary Lakes. For more serious walkers, the trails throughout Mt Whitfield Conservation Park have several lookouts offering views of Cairns and Trinity Inlet, and there is a terrific mangrove boardwalk on Airport Ave, 200m before the airport.
reviewed
-
D
Mt Whitfield Conservation Park
Near the botanical gardens is the entrance to the Mt Whitfield Conservation Park, the last remnant of Cairns rainforest and once home to a small cassowary population. The Red Arrow Trail (one hour) and the Blue Arrow Trail (3.5 hours) both offer good views over the city and coast.
reviewed
-
E
Centre of Contemporary Arts
The Centre of Contemporary Arts has two gallery levels showcasing Queensland’s hottest visual artists and a gallery shop selling mostly locally made pieces, including bags made from fishing nets (ghost nets) found in the Torres Strait.
reviewed
-
F
Cairns Regional Gallery
This gallery, in a gorgeous heritage building, is worth a wander. Exhibitions reflect the consciousness of the region, with an emphasis on Indigenous art. Head loft-wards to see work from local emerging artists.
reviewed
-
G
Cairns Museum
Books on the region’s history, as well as works by local authors.
reviewed
