Best Things to Do in Cairns

Attractions

This beach is the favourite beach of a true Cairns local. Trinity beach is an amazing beach known for its clear waters. The beach offers a beautiful ambience which 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.

The beach is cornered by two headlands which provides 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 centre 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.

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Clifton Beach

Clifton is a serene local beach lined beautifully by swaying palm trees. This beach is great for children with its swimming net and playgrounds. There are facilities for BBQ so that you wouldn't have to go away looking to eat. You can enjoy all of your time under the big rain trees right here at Clifton. You can take a walk for kilometers on end enjoying the sunshine, with beach on one side and the Rainforest Mountain on the other.

You can walk right up to Palm cove and chow in its restaurants while laying around on a completely untouched natural environment that Clifton offers. Clifton rarely has tourists and is relatively undeveloped. Having no high risers, it is dotted with low lying beach front houses. This beach is great for family outings and privacy seeking lovebirds.

Location: Clifton is located 22 km north of Cairns.

Highlights: Local beach with less people and undeveloped areas. It is an ideal spot for having a little quiet time.

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

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Palm cove

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. 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 Australia

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

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Cairns Botanic Gardens

The Cairns botanical gardens officially known as Flecker botanical garden is a botanic reserve in Collins Avenue. It is named after Dr. Hugo Flecker who is known for his immense botanical contribution to this place. Commenced on the 2 of February 2007, it has since become a world heritage listed site. It is also known as Fitzalan's Botanical gardens and Edge hill nursery.

Having a special place in Cairns history this garden has its native sausage tree kigella pantana, hoop pines Araucaria cunninghamii and Cook pine Araucaria columnaris. Further down the Goodwin street are the damson plum and a blue quandong. There are rainforest understory plants along the creek with a paperbarks and a Leichhardt tree. Aroids and gingers are a part of the garden as well. The walking area is non slippery due to the use of exposed aggregate concrete.

Location: Collins Ave, Edge Hill QLD 4870, Australia

Highlight: The garden has its theme based on the botanical historical evolution of the new Queensland region.

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Holloway's Beach

A Cairns residential beach, Holloway's is gaining popularity due to the establishment of a beach resort by the waterfront. It is an extremely narrow beach, with only two meters as its width. It is extremely apt for fishing as on a good day you can see many locals out with their fishing nets at Holloway's. There is also a popular cafe and hotel which makes Holloway's a brilliant destination. If you are looking for some privacy, turn right when you see the Holloway's beach sign.

There is a quite little spot only frequented by couple and artists. A turn left ahead is a shack, easily recognizable with its bluish yellow interiors, which is famous for its local alcohol made from various fruits. The friendly staff is sure to please you with their wide smile and Pleasant demeanor. There is a safety net for you during the stinger season, please be within it to avoid unnecessary complications.

Location: Holloways Beach is north of Cairns City.

Highlights: A small quite beach to explore your personal space.

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

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Machans Beach

Compared to other extravagant Cairns beaches, Machans is modest. Being closest to the city of Cairns it is easily accessible by most modes of transport. The kind of people that usually come here are those who are looking to get away from the madness of most Cairns' northern beaches. Machans offer a tranquil hippy style beach experience, much like the locals at the nearby Kuranda village.

The locals appreciate a quiet peaceful atmosphere as most of them are humble working class folks. They like the pristine natural beauty in their locality and have made great efforts to keep it that way. It also has a unique community centre which reflects the attitude if the locals that sets them apart from other communities at Cairns. You can enjoy the local salsa and mother /daughter nights held at Machans.

Location: It is a suburb in the city of Cairns.

Highlights: Come here for the hippy style beaches and the eclectic local fare.

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

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Kewarra Beach

A beautiful coastal suburb, Kewarra Beach is a quiet locality in Cairns. It is a great idea to go for a relaxing stroll on this beach, while you hear the exotic birds chirping nearby. Kewarra Beach has the Coral Sea to the east and Kundarra National Park on its west. There is a little shopping centre on Poolwood Road. Pelican Park, a foreshore reserve is just adjacent to Kewarra.

The swimming enclosure here keeps the marine stingers far in the north end. The others reserves here are Crocodile Park and Brolga Park. There are many luxurious resorts here for your pleasure including Kewarra Beach resort and Palm Beach country club. It is just 20 minutes from Cairns, if you take the Captain Cook highway. Sun bus has a bus service which you can take to reach the beach.

Location: Kewarra is a coastal suburb in Cairns city.

Highlights: Kewarra has a lot of places to go around including many animal reserves including Crocodile Park.

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

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Ellis Beach

Lying beside the Coral Sea, Ellis is a beach in Tropical north Queensland. It is a home to a surf life saving club which organizes regular events and competitions throughout the year. Ellis Beach is named after Dick Ellis who was a shot firer for the New Queensland department of main roads. When he lost his hand in an accident, the state government built him a house on this beach. He tended and created a mango garden which still exists.

One has to be careful of stingers here during the months of November to May, though there are patrols who make sure of safety standards. This beach was also featured in the fourth season of the amazing race. It is famous for its pumice stones which line the shore. Many revelers can be seen collecting them as it is a major hobby cultivated by the locals. The food available is said to be some of the best in Cairns.

Location: It is located 31 km North of Cairns

Highlights: The specialty of the Ellis Beach is the beautiful pumice stones found along the shore.

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

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