Cairns Sights and Attractions

Where the rainforest meets the sea

Renowned for its relaxed attitude to life and effortless style, a trip to this gateway to Queensland's Tropical North is on many peoples' wish-lists for a very good reason. It is a paradise city with remote and tropical islands, ancient rainforests and record-breaking reefs on its doorstep.

Swim, snorkel, sail and scuba the World-Heritage Barrier Reef and walk, cycle or rollerblade along the gently lapping shore as you absorb the energy of the Esplanade and its wonderful mix of top-end speciality restaurants and bars and rightly-loved cheap eats and drinks loved by those on the backpacker trail. Whether you want to relax, get the adrenaline pumping or soak up some of the world's most spectacular natural beauty, Cairns can do it all.

The fact that the resident population of this laid-back-to-horizontal, tropical town grows by around 200 new arrivals every month is a testament to its inherent charm. Its personality is shaped by its stunning natural and peaceful surrounds. With the Great Barrier Reef on one side, lush, ancient tropical rainforests on the other and just a short cruise over the crystal clear waters to Fitzroy and Green Islands, it's a breeding ground for those that take each warm and sunny day as it comes.

Because of this, Cairns is a great place to both meet other travellers stopping off on their way up the East Coast, chasing the winter sun and headed for the Atherton Tablelands and the Far North, as well as to simply arrive and breathe easy.