Cairns, Queensland — Where to Go
Cairns Sightseeing Overview
Cairns' main sightseeing attractions are the two UNESCO World Heritage sites to its north and east. The Great Barrier Reef is famous for its colorful coral and varied marine life. It usually takes an hour or so to reach dive sights, and snorkeling, glass-bottomed boats and scuba-diving are the most popular ways to see the underwater action. The Daintree Rainforest is one of the best preserved in the world, and some of the plant species still living here have been around since the time of the dinosaurs.
Tourist attractions such as the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway make the rainforest accessible to everyone, while the Flecker Botanic Gardens and Cairns Wildlife Dome bring the plants and animals of the rainforest to the city. The history of human habitation in this unique area has also produced some interesting attractions such as the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, the Cairns Museum and the Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Center.
Cairns Tourist Information
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Gateway Discovery Center
51 The Esplanade
Tel: (07) 4051 3588.
Website: www.tropicalaustralia.com.au
The center is open seven days a week.
There are a variety of free tourism magazines in Cairns, including Welcome To Cairns, available at Tourism Tropical North Queensland Gateway Discovery Center.
Cairns Sightseeing
There are no combined tourism passes available in Cairns at present, though there are packages to combine daytrips by Skyrail and the Scenic Railway to and from Kuranda.
Cairns Sightseeing
There are no combined tourism passes available in Cairns at present, though there are packages to combine daytrips by Skyrail and the Scenic Railway to and from Kuranda.
Key Attractions in Cairns, Queensland
Cairns Wildlife Dome
This quite extraordinary zoo, located in the domed roof of a hotel casino in central Cairns, allows visitors to get up close to fascinating Australian fauna, such as koalas, snakes and kookaburras. But the star exhibit is the truly immense 4m-long (13ft) saltwater crocodile, nicknamed Goliath, which can be viewed underwater through its glass tank.
Top level, Reef Hotel Casino, 35-41 Wharf Street
Tel: (07) 4031 7250.
Website: www.cairnsdome.com.au
Cairns Regional Gallery
Cairns Regional Gallery, housed within the majestic old Public Offices Building, displays a wide variety of work by many of far north Queensland's finest contemporary artists and also houses touring exhibitions of work by some of Australia's most significant artists.
Corner of Abbott and Shields Streets
Tel: (07) 4046 4800.
Website: www.cairnsregionalgallery.com.au
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway begins 15km (9 miles) north of Cairns and carries visitors over 7.5km (4.5 miles) of pristine rainforest to the beautiful village of Kuranda. It provides riders with unique views of the lush canopy of the ancient rainforest, as well as breathtaking views of the Barron Gorge and Falls.
Corner Kamerunga Road and Cook Highway, Smithfield
Tel: (07) 4038 1555.
Website: www.skyrail.com.au
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
Tjapukai, which opened in 1987, was Australia's first Aboriginal cultural attraction and is still the one with the most awards to its name. It's located in a 10-hectare (25-acre) park just 15 minutes north of central Cairns. Visitors can watch traditional song and dance, learn about Aboriginal beliefs and history and even try their hand at boomerang and spear throwing, didgeridoo playing or boomerang painting.
Kamerunga Road, Smithfield
Tel: (07) 4042 9900.
Website: www.tjapukai.com.au
Flecker Botanic Gardens
A walk through the Flecker Botanic Gardens, much wilder than most of Australia's botanic gardens, feels almost like a walk through the rainforest. The gardens are located only 4km (2.5 miles) from the city center, and attractions include the Fernery, Orchid House and Aboriginal Plant Use section.
Collins Avenue, Edge Hill
Tel: (07) 4044 3398.
Website: www.cairns.qld.gov.au
Further Distractions
Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Visitors Center
This quirky little museum, from which all proceeds go to the RFDS, includes a fascinating video presentation about the history and continued importance of this innovative way of bringing medical care to remote outback communities. The star exhibit is a real Flying Doctor's aircraft, parked in the shaded garden, which visitors can explore at their leisure.
1 Junction Street, Edge Hill
Tel: (07) 4053 5687.
Website: www.flyingdoctorqueensland.net
The Cairns Museum
This somewhat old-fashioned local museum, run by volunteers from the Cairns Historical Society, is packed with interesting exhibits, showcasing various elements of Cairns' history. Star artifacts include an extensive collection of weapons and hunting implements made by Aboriginal rainforest dwellers and the contents of a demolished Chinese Temple formerly located in the city center. Other curios include a reconstructed dentist's room. Plenty of information about the history of aviation in the region is also available.
Corner of Shields and Lake Streets
Tel: (07) 4051 5582.
Website: www.cairnsmuseum.org.au
