Cairns

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From this stylish international city, the islands, rainforest and reef of tropical North Queensland are on your doorstep. Snorkel, dive or do a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef – a World Heritage-listed spectacular of coral islands and marine life. You can swim, snorkel, dive and sail the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, a living masterpiece so big it can be seen from outer space. It stretches more than 2,000 kilometres along the Queensland coast, from the mainland towns of Port Douglas to Bundaberg. Hop between the pristine, palm-fringed islands on top, then explore the rainbow-coloured coral islands and marine life below.

Ways to explore the Great Barrier Reef

Don’t miss a day trip to the magical Daintree Rainforest, thought to be the planet’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest.

Things you should do in Cairns

Ways to explore the Great Barrier Reef
Don’t miss a day trip to the magical Daintree Rainforest, thought to be the planet’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest.

Things you should do in Cairns

1. Dive or snorkel the reef
Quicksilver's high-speed wavepiercing catamaran will take passengers in airconditioned comfort to a spacious reef activity platform moored in protective lagoons at the renowned Agincourt Reef, on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Quicksilver has facilities to enable both swimmers and non-swimmers to experience this stunning reef world. Passengers can explore the reef from the comfort of a semi-submersible, an underwater observatory or snorkel and dive. A range of optional activities are provided including up to two dives for certified divers and novices can experience the magic of scuba with a qualified dive instructor or an Oceanwalker helmet dive, guided snorkelling tours with a marine biologist

2. Take the tour to Kuranda
Transfer to the Skyrail cableway for the journey over the rainforest canopy to the village of Kuranda. Spend an hour exploring this village in the rainforest, with the markets held daily. Transfer to Rainforestation for lunch, performance by the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dance Group and tour through the rainforest in an amphibious army duck. Visit the Koala and Wildlife Park for the opportunity to purchase your photo taken with a koala and hand feed the kangaroos. Travel to Freshwater Station on the Kuranda Scenic Train and transfer to your Cairns, Port Douglas hotel or Palm Cove hotel.

3. Visit the Daintree
Take an ecotour down the Daintree River in the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. The planet’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest is just a two hour drive north of Cairns and home to Australia’s most diverse range of plants and animals. See fresh-water crocodiles sunning themselves on the mangrove-lined river banks, as well as many rare tropical birds and animals. Feast on freshly caught barramundi in the picturesque Daintree village or continue north to Cape Tribulation. Here, where the forest plunges to the reef, you can bushwalk, spot nocturnal wildlife and swoon at Bloomfield Falls.

4. Ride down a raging river
Go white water rafting down powerful Tully River, just an hour south of Cairns. It twists through the rainforest on more than 45 rapids ranging from mild to wild. Or float your inflatable boat down the rapids of the Barron River, past the majestic scenery of Barron Gorge National Park. For real white-knuckle adventure, take a helicopter to the North Johnstone River and raft out over four days, camping in riverside clearings. Or enjoy a gentler ride on the Russell River, after a trek through rainforest and swim in a crystal clear pool.