"Must do's" in Cairns
If you would like further details on the below tours, please ask.
- The Great Barrier Reef
- Cape Tribulation / Daintree
- Waterfalls / Southern Highlands
- Kuranda Village, Historic Train & Skyrail
- Port Douglas
- Fishing
- Hot Air Ballooning over the Northern Highlands
- Adventure Sports; Skydive, Bungy Jump, Minjin Swing, Cycling & More
- White Water Rafting
- Helicopter / Scenic Flights over the Reef and/or Rainforest
- Cape York by Air
The Great Barrier Reef
One of the 7 wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef , is the first and foremost reason people come to Far North Queensland. It's a whole world on its own; the colourful fish, the abundant and various corals, and you don't even have to get wet to see it, with glass bottom boats, semi-submarines and platforms with underwater observatories, there's a tour to suit everyone. If you're not sure which tour will suit you, simply email me with your family situation and I'll recommend one to suit.
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Cape Tribulation / Daintree
Here it's not just the destination, but the whole trip that is the highlight. Cape 'Trib' as it's known, is in the North Eastern corner of the Daintree World Heritage area (rainforest national park), and is where the rainforest meets the reef. You'll pass sugar cane plantations, mountains covered in dense rainforest and if you're with a good guide, you'll learn heaps too. It's a long day out and tours include your lunch and a variety of extras.
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Waterfalls / Southern Highlands
This region, South South-West of Cairns , is gorgeous. A day tour traverses cooler regions much higher above sea level than Cairns city. You'll see pockets of rainforest, dairy-farming, waterfalls, quaint townships, lookouts, huge trees, national parks and more; a 300km circuit, it's a large region to cover but well worth it.
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Kuranda Village, Historic Train & Skyrail
The views, the rainforest, the markets, the journey; these are the reasons to visit the village of Kuranda , atop the mountain, just North West of Cairns . The historic Kuranda Trains leave Cairns at 0830 and 0930 daily and takes 1.75 hours, stopping just outside Kuranda for a look over the 250 metre high Barron Falls . What you do with your time in Kuranda is up to you - walk, shop, eat, visit animal parks - it's all good, as is the return journey on Skyrail Rainforest Gondola. Skyrail is 30 minutes travelling over 7.5kms but it's suggested you take 1.5 hrs to do the journey as there are two stops along the way, an interpretive centre/lookout ( Barron Falls ) and a boardwalk. Pre-booked buses, as part of your day tour, will collect and return you the 15 kms to your accommodation as part of the price. Bookings are essential as this is such a busy tour. You can also do it visa versa.
Port Douglas
The resort town of Port Douglas is one hour's drive, along what must be one of Australia 's prettiest coastal drives. 'Port', as it's known, is a small tourist town popular with celebrities and holiday makers from around the world. Views from Flagstaff Hill over Four Mile Beach are awesome on a sunny day. The main street is a bit flash as are the few shops in Marina Mirage. Sunday at the markets is popular as are the many restaurants. Many tours take in Port Douglas as part of their Daintree or Cape Tribulation day tours or you can book a bus to the markets or self drive on any day.
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Fishing
Being on holiday on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef makes for the perfect opportunity to go fishing; reef, river and estuary fishing are available from Cairns.
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Hot Air Ballooning over the Northern Highlands
Now this is a once in a lifetime thing to do! You'll be up before dawn and travel atop the ranges toward the country town of Mareeba to the balloon launching grounds. When you get up high in the balloon, you'll be amazed at the views you can see for miles around you. Relaxing, but a real adrenaline pumper!
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Adventure Sports; Skydive, Bungy Jump, Minjin Swing, Cycling & more
The warm tropical weather in Cairns and your holiday mood makes for the perfect place and time to participate in an Adventure sport.
White Water Rafting
The Tully River , south of Cairns , flows well all year-round with rapids to grade five. The first rapid of the day is the 'Alarm Clock' as it's set to wake you up and it does just that. What a wild ride! You'll feel muscles the next day you didn't know you had but hey, it's worth it. Great fun; not just the rafting but the company, the guides and the bbq lunch. The drive to Tully is also beautiful but if you're a little reserved, try the more sedate Barron River .
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Helicopter / Scenic Flights over the Reef and/or Rainforest
What better way is there to see the size and layout of the Great Barrier Reef , than by taking a helicopter flight? See the shapes of reef, sand cays and sometimes even a whale (mid year).
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Cape York by Air
Cape York is one of the last great wilderness areas in Australia and usually needs to be travelled over a week or more. 4WD is required on many parts of 'The Cape' and in the 'Wet Season' much of the land is impassable. The flight lands and you also have the opportunity for a 4WD tour around the most northerly tip of Australia . Advance bookings are required.
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