Cairns is the kind of place where you land with a rough plan and immediately throw it out. There is just too much going on.
The town itself has a proper backpacker energy: vibrant, a little chaotic, good nightlife, and a lineup of activities that runs from genuinely terrifying to surprisingly chill. It also sits right at the northern end of the East Coast, which means it works as either a launchpad or a send-off depending on which direction you're travelling. Either way, leave more time than you think you need.
Things to do in Cairns: the big ones
Skydiving over the Coral Sea is the one people talk about. You're jumping at 14,000 feet with the reef and the rainforest both visible on the way down, which is a fairly absurd thing to be able to say. It's one of the most scenic skydives in Australia and the landing zone is right near the Cairns Esplanade (no beach landing, but still).
Bungy jumping is the other one. A\J Hackett runs the original Cairns bungy from a 50-metre platform over a rainforest lagoon. You can go classic, you can dip your head in the water, or you can go tandem if you need moral support (no judgement).
White water rafting on the Tully River is a full day out: Grade 4 rapids, a rainforest gorge, and a very satisfying pub meal at the end. One of the better day trips from Cairns for people who want something a bit different to the reef.
Kuranda: the rainforest village worth the trip up
Kuranda sits up in the tablelands above Cairns and the journey there is half the point. The Kuranda Scenic Railway is one of the great heritage rail trips in Australia, winding up through rainforest and past waterfalls for about two hours. Come back on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over the canopy and you've done the full loop without repeating scenery. Worth a full day.
The laid-back side of Cairns
Not everyone is here to throw themselves off something, and Cairns has options for that too. The Cairns Esplanade lagoon is free and genuinely nice for a swim (the ocean here isn't swimmable most of the year due to stingers, so the lagoon is the move). The Night Markets are worth a wander. And the food scene along the waterfront is better than most people expect.
Plan your time in Cairns
Most of the in-town activities run as half or full day trips, so you can stack a few across a 3 to 5 day stay without it feeling rushed. If you're also doing the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, budget at least 4 to 5 days in the region.
Browse everything above and more on our Cairns tours page, or talk to our team if you want help putting it together.
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