(0 reviews)
From$3,640.00
(0 reviews)
$2,950.00From$2,213.00
(0 reviews)
From$149.00
(0 reviews)
From$3,779.00
(0 reviews)
From$11,799.00
(0 reviews)
$4,175.00From$3,549.00
(0 reviews)
From$2,399.00
Cairns is a vibrant tropical city in Far North Queensland, Australia, renowned as the gateway to two UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Located about 1,700 kilometers north of Brisbane, this coastal city of around 150,000 people serves as the primary departure point for reef tours, diving expeditions, and snorkeling adventures to one of the world's most spectacular coral ecosystems. The city itself features the famous Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, a large public swimming area that compensates for the lack of swimmable beaches due to marine stingers, while the scenic Kuranda village in the nearby mountains can be reached via the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway or the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway that glides through ancient rainforest canopy. With its tropical climate featuring distinct wet and dry seasons, Cairns offers year-round access to adventure activities including white-water rafting, bungee jumping, hot air ballooning over the Atherton Tablelands, and cultural experiences with local Indigenous communities, making it one of Australia's most popular destinations for both international tourists seeking natural wonders and adventure seekers looking to explore the unique intersection of reef, rainforest, and outback that defines tropical North Queensland.
Great Barrier Reef – Take day trips for snorkeling, diving, or scenic flights over the reef. Popular spots include Green Island, Fitzroy Island, and the outer reef.
Daintree Rainforest – Explore one of the world’s oldest rainforests with guided walks, canopy tours, and crocodile spotting on the Daintree River.
Kuranda Village – Visit this mountain rainforest village via the scenic railway or Skyrail cableway, featuring markets, butterfly sanctuary, and koala gardens.
Atherton Tablelands – See crater lakes, waterfalls (like Millaa Millaa Falls), and rolling farmland perfect for hot air ballooning.
Cape Tribulation – Where the rainforest meets the reef, offering pristine beaches and hiking trails.
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon – Free public swimming lagoon with surrounding parklands and boardwalk.
Cairns Botanic Gardens – Showcasing tropical plants including an excellent collection of palms and orchids.
Cairns Night Markets – Browse local crafts, souvenirs, and food in the heart of the city.
Reef Fleet Terminal – Watch boats departing for reef tours and enjoy waterfront dining.
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park – Learn about Indigenous culture through performances and interactive experiences.
AJ Hackett Bungy Jumping – Experience Australia’s first bungy jump site.
White Water Rafting – Navigate rapids on the Tully or Barron Rivers.
Paronella Park – Explore this fairytale castle and gardens built in the 1930s.
Most visitors spend 3-4 days to experience the main highlights, though you could easily spend a week exploring the region thoroughly.
 Bus Operator
TransLink’s public bus service, operated by Sunbus/Kinetic, runs throughout the city from the northern beaches to the southern suburbs via the Lake Street bus terminal (located between Shields and Aplin streets).
Paper tickets can be purchased onboard Cairns bus services using cash. Unlike Adelaide and Sydney, Cairns doesn’t use a smartcard system. Ticket options include: Single (one-way with 2-hour transfer time), Daily (unlimited travel until last service), and Weekly (unlimited travel for 7 consecutive days).
Route 110 connects Cairns Central to Palm Cove, servicing Cairns Hospital, Smithfield Shopping Centre, James Cook University, Clifton Beach and Palm Cove, operating seven days a week. Route 111 runs to Kewarra Beach, covering Trinity Park, Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach. Route 123 services James Cook University to Cairns Central via the Skyrail terminal, useful for visiting Kuranda.
Late-night on-demand services operate on Friday and Saturday nights, combining routes 110 and 111 between Palm Cove and Cairns City.
Download the free MyTransLink app to your smartphone for route planning, timetables, and service updates, or call 13 12 30 for information.
Pro tip: Have exact change or small bills ready when boarding, as cash is the only payment method!
Discover Adelaide by Bus.
Adelaide Hills Tours
See Airlie Beach by bus.
See Albany
Discover Alice Springs
Discover the Atherton Tablelands by bus.
Australian Bus Tours
Discover Ballarat
Discover the Barossa Valley
Discover the Blue Mountains by bus.
Discover Brisbane by bus.
Discover Broome via bus.
See Bundaberg
Discover Byron Bay by bus.
Discover Canberra by Bus.
See Cape Tribulation.
Discover Cape York
Discover the Carnarvon Gorge.
Discover Coober Pedy.
Discover Coonawarra by bus.
Explore Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park by bus. Discover Tasmania's iconic alpine peak, pristine Dove Lake, ancient rainforests, and unique wildlife.
Discover Daintree
Discover Darwin by bus.
See Eden
Discover Esperance
Discover Exmouth By Bus
Discover the Eyre Peninsula.
See Fremantle by bus.
Discover the Gold Coast
Discover the Grampians
Great Barrier Reef Tours
Great Ocean Road Bus Trips
Discover Hobart
Discover the Hunter Valley. With tours departing from Sydney and locally from the Hunter Valley.
Discover Hyden Wildlife Park in W.A.
Discover Jervis Bay by bus.
Discover K'GARI (FRASER ISLAND).
Discover the Kakadu by bus.
See Kalbarri
Discover Kangaroo Island by bus.
Discover Lake Mountain.
Discover Launceston
Mallacoota is a small coastal town in East Gippsland, surrounded by pristine waters and a stunning inlet. It offers sandy beaches, ocean clifftops, wildlife, national parks, festivals, and markets.
Discover Margaret River
Discover McLaren Vale via bus.
Discover Melbourne by Bus
Discover Mission Beach
Discover Monkey Mia
Discover the Mornington Peninsula
Discover Mt Buller via bus.
See What Mudgee has to offer.
Murray River
Bus Tours In NSW
See Newcastle via bus.
Discover Orange NSW.
Discover Perisher in winter.
Discover Perth
Discover Phillip Island
See Pink Lake.
See Port Authur
See Port Douglas by bus.
See Port Macquarie by bus.
Discover Port Stephens
Discover the Qld outback by bus.
See Rockhampton by bus.
Discover Rottnest.
Discover The South Coast of NSW.
Discover the Sunshine Coast by bus.
Swan Valley, Western Australia
See Sydney
Discover the Pinnacles in the Nambung National Park by bus.
Discover Thredbo.
Discover Townsville
Discover Uluru (Ayers Rock).
Discover Werribee
Discover Wilsons Promontory
Discover the Yarra Valley by bus.
Information