Cairns Travel Forum

Hi there,

I have been in Melbourne for about a week now and will be staying here till 1 April, then I will fly up to Cairns for a week. I have been wondering what I might be able to do, considering the floods and things like that. Are there any problems for tourists at the moment?

And, do you have any advice on what I should do up there, any "must-sees"?

Thanks a lot for your help!

lucy

cairns is ok
the promenadeis nice with a beautiful pool area that is free
it is nice to walk along the promenade too

go up to kuranda
do the sky rail and train package
go down the skyrail ( better view than going up)

there is a bird sanctuary there
unfortunately many birds are stressed and are plucking their own feathers but it is still a good experience - the birds are very tame and you can sit and play with them

some good shops in kuranda too

head to palm cove for a day
very pretty
and further up is port douglas -another good daytrip

we went to cape tribulation- you can get a coach tour for day

the beaches are great

there are some good islands to visit
we went to low isles which is really nice
but leave plenty of time - the trips may be rescheduled if winds are high so make sure you have some spare days - dont leave it til your last day

we actually went all the way to cooktown where capt james cook fixed his boat up before heading home but that may not be of much interest to foreign tourists

we did that in a hire car - did cape tribulation and cooktown in one day 4wheel driving and returned on an inland route later in the evening

enjoy
it is special

Was there last summer so don't know about floods...Green Island was great, we toured the Atherton Tablelands great for hiking and waterfalls.

Hi there Lucy:

I can't comment on the flood status and I live in Melbounrne but I can give you the difinitive list of places to go around Cairns:

1. Kuranda, nice town with lots to see as mentioned previously in the forum.
2. Atherton Table lands. Things to see: Tolga woodworks, MT Molloy, Mareeba, Lake Tinaroo, Yungaburra, Millaa Millaa Falls (must see), Curtain fig.

3. Port Douglas and make sure you get on one of the boats heading for the reef.
4. Mossman gorge (just North of Port Douglas), there is beautiful clear stream and fantastic walks in the rain forest.
5. Barge/Ferry across the Daintree river and drive up to Cape Tribulation.

Thats about it.

Happy travels

Hi Lucy, at the moment there are not floods in Cairns. There are floods way up North from Cairns.
We do get heavy rain and then the roads can flood, but it doesn't last for days.
There are no problems with being a tourist in Cairns at the moment or ever:)

It is what we call the wet season, this means that it can rain for a full day or two.At the moment we have had some wonderful dry sunny hot days, then a day of rain and back to sunny days.
Even if it does rain when you are visiting Cairns, it's still hot and you can do everything you want too.

I would suggest that you do the Kuranda Train/ Skyrail trip. Going up the range on the train and having a look around Kuranda, then heading down the range on the skyrail. Go up on the train as it only comes down twice as the skyrail comes down all day.
A trip to the Outer Reef is a must. I reccomend that you do this with the Quicksilver Group. I wouldn't go to Green Island. I would put the money towards going to the Outer Reef or up to Cape Tribualtion.
Cape Tribulation is also a must when here, this is where the Rainforest meets the Reef. You can do a day trip from Cairns. All these tours etc can be booked when you get to Cairns. There are many booking agencies in Cairns, not hard to find.
The Botanical Gardens is also a wonderful place to visit. You can get a bus from Lake Street in the city to go here, bus stop right out the front of the Gardens, you will love these as they are tropical and lush, the ginger plants are out now and are wonderful.
You will also enjoy the Esplanade area of Cairns, this is near the boardwalk/water area, there is a wonderful huge pool that you can swim in and lots of lawn to lay in the sun on. Here you will be surrounded by many other young people from all over thw world:)
You can also catch a bus to the Australian Tropical Zoo, this would be great for you to see all the Aussie animals etc. The bus stop is also right opposite this Zoo.
A day just walking the streets of Cairns and doing some shopping thing can be fun.

When you arrive at the airport you can get a taxi or you can catch a bus into town. It's not a huge airport so you will find your way around easily.
ALso when you get into Cairns, head for the Esplanade area (easy to find, if you can't just ask someone) and check out all the brochures that are in the Information centres. But please you must do the Cape Tribulation Trip ( day trip) and the Outer Reef trip ( day trip)

Have a great time in Cairns:)
If you need any other help, just email me and I will pass any other info onto you.

Never miss the great barrier reef,if you are not a dive person do snorkering.

All the suggestions are excellent advice. My favourite place nearby is Port Douglas and the Barrier Reef- an absolute MUST DO and MUST see.

Thanks everyone, you have been a great help. :) I'll definitely go to the reef, that's been on my list ever since I decided to go to Cairns. :)

Kuranda is on my list now as well, and I'll see what other day tours I can fit in.

Again, thanks a lot, and if you've got any updates on the weather I'd appreciate that, as I'll only be arriving on 1 April.

Thanks!