100 Things to do in Cairns

From must-do attractions to unique experiences, there are enough activities and places to see in Tropical North Queensland to last you a lifetime.  

Planning a visit to Tropical North Queensland? Here are some holiday ideas to help you make the most of your trip!

1. Visit the Great Barrier Reef
2. Cool off at the Esplanade Lagoon
3. Explore the Daintree Rainforest
4. See where the rainforest meets the reef at Cape Tribulation
5. Visit Kuranda - the village in the mountains
6. Explore the Atherton Tablelands
7. Shop around at the famous Kuranda Heritage Markets
8. Hop on the Kuranda Scenic Railway
9. Try world-famous Brazilian churrasco at Bushfire Flame Grill
10. Explore Mossman Gorge
11. Check out the best waterfalls with a guided tour
12. Get a unique view of the Tablelands on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
13. Stroll along the Esplanade
14. Get amongst the crocodiles at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
15. Watch the sunrise in a hot air balloon
16. Tuck into fresh tropical produce at Rusty's Markets
17. Get the best view of Barron Falls at the Barron Gorge Lookout
18. Visit the Cairns Aquarium
19. Go on a fishing tour
20. Depart the Cairns Harbour on a sunset cruise
21. Nab a deal at the Cairns Night Markets
22. Go on a jet ski tour
23. Belly laugh at the Comedy Lounge
24. Browse the Cairns Art Gallery
25. Go on a stand-up paddleboarding tour
26. Check out the Cairns Museum
27. Book a kayaking tour
28. Experience action and wildlife at the Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome
29. Go on a horse riding tour
30. Watch the sun go down from your balcony at Pacific Hotel Cairns
31. Connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures with a culture tour
32. Check out the Tolga Bat Hospital
33. Take a scenic drive to Port Douglas
34. Go on a mountain biking tour
35. Visit the Mossman Sugar Mill
36. Be entertained by live Brazilian dancers at Bushfire Flame Grill on Fridays and Saturdays
37. Go on a zip-lining adventure
38. Go skydiving
39. Explore rock art on a guided tour
40. Bathe in the Talaroo Hot Springs
41. Get the adrenaline pumping at Skypark Cairns by AJ Hackett
42. Visit Palm Cove
43. Fire up for the day with all-you-can-eat brekky at Bushfire Flame Grill
44. Day trip to Green Island
45. Go on a guided bird-watching tour
46. Stroll around the Cairns Botanical Gardens
47. Go whale-watching
48. Take a scenic drive to Mission Beach
49. Check out the palm trees at Mission Beach
50. Fuel up for the day at Cruze Coffee
51. Experience the Cairns Aquarium at night
52. Go jet boating on the Trinity Inlet
53. Set off on a day trip to Fitzroy Island
54. See rare animals on a wildlife spotting tour
55. Experience the magic at Paronella Park
56. Go on a mountain climbing tour
57. Visit the Millaa Millaa falls
58. Browse the stalls at the Tanks Markets
59. Explore the Mount Hypipamee National Park
60. Take a trip to Birdworld
61. Venture underground at the Chillagoe Caves
62. Go on an off-road adventure tour
63. Visit the Undara Lava Tubes
64. Meet the rock wallabies at Granite Gorge
65. Explore the Tully River
66. Go white water rafting
67. Take a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef
68. Go on a scenic drive to Cooktown
69. Enjoy canopy views on the Mamu Skywalk
70. Check out the Curtain and Cathedral Fig Trees
71. Explore Yungaburra Village
72. Visit Cape York
73. Marvel at the beauty of Nadroya Falls
74. Swim in a volcanic crater at Lake Eacham or Lake Barrine
75. Hike to the top of Windin Falls
76. Go on a guided rainforest walk
77. Drive the Bloomfield Track
78. Experience the Great Barrier Reef from a glass-bottom boat
79. Visit the Babinda Boulders
80. Go on a guided rock-climbing tour
81. Chill out at Josephine Falls
82. Walk amongst the butterflies at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
83. Get the best coastal view at Rex's Lookout
84. Visit the Crystal Cascades
85. Go on a guided abseiling tour
86. Visit the Davies Creek National Park
87. Browse ancient Japanese antiques and artefacts at the Samurai Gallery Australia
88. Try refreshing flame-grilled pineapple at Bushfire Flame Grill
89. Learn how to wakeboard at the Cairns Wake Park
90. See every star in the sky on an astronomy tour
91. Reflect at the Avenue of Honour in Yungaburra
92. Tour the Daintree River on a wildlife cruise
93. Enjoy a cuppa at the Lake Barrine Teahouse
94. Pan for gold
95. Take a step back in time at Herberton Historical Village
96. Walk along the Cairns Wharf
97. Take the little ones to Muddy's Playground
98. Visit the Cairns Art Society
99. Cool off poolside at Pacific Hotel Cairns
100. Spend the day at Lake Tinnaroo

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Tropical North Queensland has so much to offer, so take the time to explore and enjoy this beautiful part of Australia!