Must see attractions in Cairns

  • Top Choice
    Cairns Botanic Gardens

    These gorgeous gardens are an explosion of greenery and rainforest plants. Highlights include a section devoted to Aboriginal plant use, the Gondwana…

  • Top Choice
    Cairns Esplanade, Boardwalk & Lagoon

    Sunseekers and fun-lovers flock to Cairns Esplanade's spectacular swimming lagoon on the city’s reclaimed foreshore. The artificial, sandy-edged, 4800-sq…

  • Top Choice
    Cairns Aquarium

    Cairns' multi-million-dollar aquarium is well worth a visit for its vast and gorgeously presented range of marine life, the Great Barrier Reef in…

  • Top Choice
    Reef Teach

    Take your knowledge to new depths at this fun, informative centre, where marine experts explain how to identify specific species of fish and coral, and…

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    Top Choice
    Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

    Managed by the area’s original custodians, this award-winning cultural extravaganza tells the story of creation using giant holograms and actors. There's…

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    Top Choice
    St Monica's Cathedral

    Cairns' main Catholic church is famous for its themed stained-glass windows, the largest of their type in the world. There are 24 windows depicting the…

  • Captain Cook Statue

    You won't be able to miss this mammoth statue, one of Australia's most controversial 'Big Things'. Looming over the city's main road since 1972, the 10m…

  • Crystal Cascades

    About 14km from Cairns, 'Crystals' is a series of beautiful waterfalls and idyllic, croc-free swimming holes that locals would rather keep to themselves…

  • Tanks Arts Centre

    Three gigantic, ex-WWII fuel-storage tanks have been transformed into art galleries; it's also an inspired performing-arts venue. Check the website for…

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    Cairns Art Gallery

    The permanent collection of this acclaimed gallery has an emphasis on local and Indigenous work. It also hosts prominent visiting exhibitions and…

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    Cairns Museum

    This contemporary museum features four well-curated galleries covering the history of Cairns and Far North Queensland in pictures, exhibits and local…

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    Australian Armour & Artillery Museum

    Military and history buffs will love the largest display of armoured vehicles and artillery in the southern hemisphere. Go for a ride in a tank (adult…

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    Yarrabah Arts Centre

    This small centre houses the works of artists from Yarrabah, a small, scenic Aboriginal coastal community about 50km from Cairns city. Ogle everything…

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    Reef Eye

    Soak up stunning views of the Coral Sea and Cairns city aboard this 35m-high Ferris wheel. The fully enclosed gondolas rotate 360 degrees (passengers…

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    KickArts Contemporary Arts

    These galleries showcase cutting-edge local and regional artworks, plus touring exhibitions. KickArts has moved to the School of the Arts while the Centre…

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    Samurai Gallery

    This unusual gallery and museum displays genuine armour, swords and arts from the Japanese samurai. Owner John Grasso has been collecting swords and…

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    Mangrove Boardwalk

    Explore the swampier side of Cairns on this revelatory wander into the wetlands. Eerie snap-crackle-slop noises provide a fitting soundtrack to the spooky…