Cairns & the Tropical North Things to Do

On a trip around Asia and Australia, Asha and Brock’s seventh stop was Cairns, where they spent a week exploring the Great Barrier Reef and making friends with the wildlife.

Secluded, tropical and beautiful. The drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation may be narrow and winding, but the views and changing scenery as you head deeper into rainforest clad areas of Australia are worth the extra effort. Cape Tribulation, located within the Daintree National Park, offers visitors a remote-feeling getaway in some of Australia’s best surrounds.

Australia’s endless coastline, settled in pristine ocean waters, ultimately means that several cities serve as excellent ports of call for cruise ships down under. A cruise docking in Cairns allows visitors to take advantage of this beautiful tropical north hub city with local exploration and day trips out to the nearby rainforest, beach towns and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef.

Tropical North Queensland proves itself as a thrill-seeker’s hotspot with this list of adrenaline-pumping activities. The adventure activities near Cairns include skydiving and jungle surfing among many others, and the best part is that these are all accessible from the city of Cairns as a day trip if necessary.

Because Australian wildlife is adorable, unique and fun for all ages, one should not miss an opportunity to get immersed in sanctuaries and wildlife parks while traveling in Australia. The Cairns Wildlife Dome, located above the Reef Hotel Casino in central Cairns, offers visitors the chance to learn more about the Aussie environment, in any weather condition – and you don’t have to take a day trip to do it. Explore an enclosed rainforest ecosystem, chock full of lorikeets, parrots and cockatoos that roam freely next to you. Or, learn about the large reptile population that includes pythons, lizards and a giant crocodile known as Goliath.

A visit to Cairns will more than likely be filled with activities involving nature and wildlife, which also means that the list of things to do in Cairns with children tends to be pretty much the same as the things to do with people of all ages. Whether it’s snorkeling the reef or cuddling a koala, these activities appeal to travelers young and old. In any case, here’s our list of things to do in and around Cairns targeted to families with kids.