Cairns - gateway to the reef and more!
Hi! My name’s Bree and I grew up in sunny Cairns so I thought I’d share my tips for what to do in this tropical city!
Go check out the Night Markets on the Esplanade and have a laze around the lagoon (all free!). Cairns city doesn’t actually have a beach, but you can jump on a local bus and head to the northern suburbs, to check out all the gorgeous beaches such as Palm Cove.
Everyone knows Cairns as the ‘gateway to the great barrier reef’, so it’s the best place to get out for a day trip on one of the world’s seven wonders! All day trips include snorkelling, but I definitely recommend trying a scuba dive - I’ve done two ‘introductory’ dives, which is where they give you all your lessons and instructions, before a guide takes you down for about 40 minutes at a time. What an experience! Nothing else compares.
Cairns is also famous for the rainforest - world heritage listed! Take the ‘Skyrail’ gondola up over the tree canopy and into the village of Kuranda, or go all the way and head to Cape Tribulation for the best experience of all.
Cairns has some of the best nightlife - Gillian’s Backpackers goes off! Or why not fulfil the backpacker tradition and dance on the tables at the Woolshed!
Visit the gang at Backpackers World Travel, shop 4, 9-13 Shields Street (in the mall in Cairns) if you need any more advice or help with booking tours!
