Cairns shines with the carnival atmosphere
of travellers all year round and the city is positively booming. In 2003 the
foreshore was given a Hollywood makeover, with lagoons and the spanking Pier
Marketplace, equipping Cairns to be a truly international tourist
destination.Aside from limitless accommodation and dining options, markets,
culture, shopping and seaside atmosphere, Cairns' big draw card is its access to
the outer tentacles of the Great Barrier Reef. It's also a good base to discover
Port Douglas, the Atherton Tableland, Cape Tribulation and beyond.
Tourist Pages
Cairns - Australia
Tourist information, useful links & accommodation
B&B, Hotels and Hostels in Cairns
Cairns is a popular travel destination for foreign tourists because of its proximity to many attractions and tropical climate. The Great Barrier Reef is only one and a half hours away by boat. The Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation are popular areas for experiencing a true tropical rainforest. It is also a starting point for people wanting to explore Cooktown, Cape York Peninsula, and the Atherton Tablelands. The city has used its natural surrounds to its full advantage with the construction of many small theme parks for tourists. Among them are the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and the Kuranda Skyrail Gondola Cableway, which extends for 7.5 km over World Heritage rainforest.
During Australia's winter months, tourists flock to Cairns like migratory birds in mating season and the city is positively booming. Peak season is from June to October when temperatures are comfortably hot and rainfall is minimal. November can be a good month to go as accommodation prices drop, the weather is great and the swarms of the tourists have partially subsided. The beaches will have their stinger nets up, as poisonous jelly fish begin to invade the coast, and you're advised to keep within them; but with less people around there is usually ample room to paddle. Tableland and rainforest lakes make excellent swimming alternatives.
Cairns is also a popular gay destination and it features a prominent gay infrastructure often gay-owned and/or managed. A list of other popular gay and lesbian destinations world round has been included here