Cairns, Australia

DAILY TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Cairns

Once a former gold-mining port, Cairns on Australia’s eastern coast is now a town that makes its living from tourism. With both the Great Barrier Reef and the tropical rainforests of northern Australia within easy reach, it’s the perfect base to explore Australia’s natural wonders.

The undoubted highlight of any trip to Cairns is the Great Barrier Reef. There are many tour operators who run sustainable trips to the reef, with a focus on conservation and helping to protect the environment and sea creatures that live there. There are shallow pontoon snorkels for beginners or intrepid scuba trips for more experienced divers. You can also experience the reef while staying dry on a glass bottom boat trip or at the brand new Cairns Aquarium; which even offers visitors a chance to stay overnight to actually “sleep with the fishes”!

To learn more about the Aboriginal people of the Cairns region, head to Tjapukai Cultural Park. Run by the traditional owners of the land, the park has been widely recognised for its work educating people on Aborigine culture and while also supporting the local Indigenous community. Watch a retelling of the creation story using traditional songs and dance, then learn to start a campfire without matches or throw a boomerang amongst many other traditional skills and crafts.

Read more on Cairns below with flight options, current weather, maps, and activities to try while you are there.

Cairns is just one of many featured destinations part of our Daily Travel Inspiration series. Discover more at Daily Travel Inspiration or add it as part of your flash briefings on your Amazon Alexa device. Search 'Daily Travel Inspiration' on your alexa app or check out our Alexa page for more information.