Cairns
Cairns is the gateway to tropical north Queensland and without doubt one of the best destinations to visit the Great Barrier Reef.
As north Queensland’s primary city, Cairns is a massively popular tourist destination, largely due to its ideal location.
Sitting right next to some of the reef’s most stunning coral formations, Cairns is also set just south of the Daintree Rainforest.
Accommodation is plentiful and the nightlife is always lively – to say the very least.
Without doubt the most glorious part of the city is The Esplanade, which runs along the sea front.
Although the salt water crocs and stingers mean that there’s not much point in having a beach in Cairns, the Esplanade boasts a beautiful lagoon that lies in its place and is a more than adequate replacement.
The region runs right across the waterfront and links the Central Business District with the nearby Trinity Bay. It’s rammed with top bars and restaurants.
The main attraction has to be how easy it is to get out to the reef. There are dozens of companies organising a wide range of different cruises that will suit every budget.
You can go diving, snorkeling or just sightseeing. Visit the inner reef or outer reef and spend a day or a week out on the waters - every trip is catered for.
You can also visit some of the amazing tropical islands just off the coast near the city, such as Green Island and Fitzroy Island.
They are both only a 40-minute boat ride from the mainland and you can find places to stay overnight.
Remember:
Like most of north and far north Queensland, Cairns is prone to tropical cyclones, usually forming between November and May.
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