Cairns Botanic Gardens

Most people come to Cairns to visit the Great Barrier Reef. There are many rainforests, white beaches, corals and abundant and diverse marine life. You can do several activities here at Green Island where the clear water invites you to dive, swim, and snorkel to your heart's content. Also very famous here is the semi-submarine ride and the glass bottom boat ride and it is one of the best tourist places in Cairns Australia.Both of these are excellent options if you are a marine life enthusiast. Visit Green Island has live commentary, the hosts of which expound the wonders of the corals and live fish feeding. There are 3 tours departing at 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm every day. The green island national park is also worth checking out. This is a once in a lifetime tropical island experience not to be missed. Location: It is situated 27 km offshore from Cairns, Queensland in Australia. Highlights: Green Island is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, which is the largest living thing on the planet and is even visible from space.

Palm Cove is the shy, quiet chilled-out unique village which is referred to as the Spa capital of Australia. Some who visit it call it 'the ultimate tropical serenity'. It offers the best of tropical adventure with its reef, rainforest, and indigenous culture and it is one of the best places to visit in Cairns. Relax by the ancient paper bark Melaleuca trees lining the casually styled esplanade. There are various world class beach resorts and hotels here to pamper you and further cater to your every whim and fantasy. When you get tired of relaxing move out into the tropical sunshine and take part in Great Barrier Reef excursions and rainforest trips, go seeking thrill on a kayaking adventure or try fishing in your personal jetty. A Mecca of sophistication, Palm cove lets you pamper yourself with its various beauty salons and spas. Shop in its boutiques and take care of yourself by taking advantage of the health and fitness centers.Location: It is located 27 km North of Cairns Highlights: It is known as the Spa capital of AustraliaBest time to visit: September to November, March to May.

The St Monica's Cathedral is a Catholic Church in Cairns. This nondescript Building which most people miss is a delight in itself. A witness to the battle of Coral Sea, this unknown building is a hidden gem and a wonder of architecture and interior design. There are a number of stained glass windows of which 24 depict the creation. It is a modern Cathedral which does not require any sort of religious affiliation and it is one of the best places to visit in Cairns.Visit this church on a sunny day to see it in its full glory. The interior of this church holds its own even in comparison with bigger churches. Here the friendly staff and the caretaker are more than happy to explain the illustrious history and architecture of the Cathedral. Do attend the church on Sundays at 10 AM to listen to the mesmerizing music of the church choir. Location: 181 Abbott St, Cairns City QLD 4870, AustraliaHighlight: Come here for the stained glasses and the church choir.

Yourkeys Knob is your ideal Beach front Destination for your holiday in Cairns. You are encouraged to go and find your own piece of personal paradise on the golden treasures that lay here. The wide expanse of sand covered by a palm-fringed hammock will surely seduce you. With a large stinger net, you can swim all you want in pure unrestricted pleasure. There is just so much to do that it will be really hard to explore all of it in just one day and it is one of the amazing tourist places in Cairns Australia.Windsurfing and sailing are big attractions at Yorkeys. With Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef nearby, your nature dose is never too far away. To complement that there are so many city bus tours, pick-ups and you can obviously rent your own car out there. When you do get hungry, do not forget to eat at the open air Yorkeys knob boating club which offers bistro meals. While eating there you can take in the exclusive view of the marina and the ocean. Location: It is located 13 km north of Cairns.Highlights: It is a very popular kite surfing destination. The south east winds provide brilliant thrust to your sail.Best time to visit: Come here between April to November for the Kite surfing.

This beach is the favorite beach of a true Cairns local. Trinity Beach is an amazing beach known for its clear waters. The beach offers a beautiful ambiance that never fails to impress anyone. Even more so than the other beaches, the locals and tourists mingle here to give it a much friendlier vibe. This beach is not far from the Cairns International Airport so it is a preferred destination and usually the first beach tourists end up going to and it is one of the best tourist places in Cairns Australia.The beach is cornered by two headlands which provide for an amazing Bay area for all popular activities to take place and thoroughly enjoy their varied pleasures. If you have come here with the sole intention of relaxing, the palm-lined shores will just not fail to disappoint you. On the other hand, if adventure is what you seek, you should totally take up on the various tours on offer that leave from Trinity Beach at regular intervals.Location: It is situated 20 km from the center of Cairns.Highlights: Various tours are organized to cater to different people and their budgets. Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

Hailed as the world’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest, this place is often quoted among Australia's wet tropics world heritage areas. The natural landscape will transport you into an ethereal realm where you can have the most amazing experience of your life. Hop on the Cairns Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to be mesmerised by the exquisite scenes of lush greenery greeting you. Prepare yourself to see the rainforests replete with cascading waterfalls, dense trees and rare wildlife.The rainforest ride takes you in gondola cabins for a 1.5 hour experience offering you the most magnificent views of the beautiful rainforest in Australia. Riding at 11 miles per hour, this cableway ride has a seating capacity of 700 passengers that covers some of the most beautiful places like Kuranda, Barron, Jumrum Creek Conservation Park etc. Highlights: The scenic cableway ride takes you through the amazon rainforest which is delightful for nature lovers.  Location: 6 Skyrail Dr, Smithfield QLD 4878, Australia

Located in the Barron Gorge National Park, this beautiful waterfall is tucked away amidst the lush green rainforests. Offering pristine views of nature, this scenic waterfall is a picture of sprawling mist over lush greenery. It is a steep tiered cascade which can be reached via the Kennedy Highway in the Atherton Tablelands.Tucked amidst the rocky terrain and a canopy of eucalyptus trees, this waterfall calls out all the shutterbugs and nature lovers. Watching the waterfall cascading down in the rainy season will leave you in awe of the surroundings. Tourists can watch the waterfall through the lookout that is built above the forest floor and accessed via an elevated boardwalk under the canopy of lush green trees.Highlights: The scenic waterfall is a special attraction for all fans of nature photography.Location: Centenary Park, Coondoo St, Kuranda QLD 4881, Australia

Situated in the noteworthy Kuranda rainforest village, Kuranda Koala Gardens is a superb attraction for all the wildlife lovers among the places to visit in Cairns. It is well known to house many animals like wallabies, wombats, quokkas, gliders and freshwater crocodiles.The park offers a recreational and educational experience where you can learn more about the native animals of Australia. It is a boutique wildlife attraction where you can pick up and hold a Koala or get a large python in the frame to get yourself clicked and look back upon as a refreshing memory. You can take a self guided tour to observe the cute animals in this wildlife park and talk through the snake house.Highlights: The boutique wildlife place offers a friendly interaction with the Koalas with the ‘Cuddle with a Koala’ experience for a small fee and offering a souvenir photo. Location: 2/4 Rob Veivers Dr, Kuranda QLD 4881, Australia