About Cairns

Cairns is a modern tropical city and the gateway to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest. With the Cairns International Airport only seven kilometres from the city centre, delegates can be at their hotel in just 10 minutes leaving plenty of time for pre or post conference touring.

As the heart of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforest, Cairns pulses with energy. More than 600 tours a day make the most of the year-round outdoor lifestyle while world-class sporting events and festivals embrace the cosmopolitan city’s vibrant tropical culture. Energised by nature, Cairns is the place to soak up the tropical lifestyle. Discover an exciting city that takes pride in its cultural heritage and where time seems to last a little longer. Swim at the Esplanade lagoon, sample local produce at a farmer’s market, enjoy free entertainment, shop for a summer wardrobe or cruise around the marina.

 

Tours

Departing daily on scheduled services or private charters from Cairns and Port Douglas, there are a variety of tours available offering diving, snorkelling, sailing, cruising and island-hopping, all showcasing one of the world’s greatest natural treasures.

Escape to a secluded tropical island in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef and explore a colourful underwater world, dine with the Coral Sea lapping at your toes, or discover varied and unique wildlife with an experienced marine biologist.

The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from space, but for those wanting to stay a little closer to the ground, scenic helicopter tours will leave you with a breathtaking view you will never forget.

For those who prefer to stay dry, semi-submersible and glass-bottom boats provide an ideal introduction to the Great Barrier Reef, while helmet dives and motorised underwater scooters are a fun way to view the colourful coral and marine life without getting your hair wet.

Dive with minke whales for an unforgettable adventure, parasail from an island for an adrenalin rush or spy on baby turtles making their first dash for the freedom of the Coral Sea.

Take the plunge into one of the Seven Wonders of the World and discover why the Great Barrier Reef is the largest, most spectacular coral reef system on Earth.

 

For some pre and post touring options please click here.

 

Kuranda Scenic Railway

The original Kuranda Scenic Railway is a spectacular journey comprising unsurpassed views of dense rainforest, steep ravines and picturesque waterfalls. This famous railway winds its way on a journey of approximately one hour and 45 minutes from Cairns to Kuranda, the village in the rainforest.

The Cairns-Kuranda Railway was constructed between 1882 and 1891 and even today is considered an engineering feat of tremendous magnitude. Hundreds of men were employed to build the 15 hand-made tunnels and 37 bridges that stand as a monument to the pioneers of tropical North Queensland who lost their lives while working on the railway.

Gold Class offers passengers a touch of luxury. Club-style seating, appetisers, refreshments and an exclusive gift pack combine to create an unforgettable experience. Discover the warm ambience of the historical decor in Gold Class, with cedar interior, individual lounge seating and historical photographs.

Kuranda Scenic Railway is also proud to partner with the attractions of Kuranda to form unique day tours such as the Classic Experience tour combining the railway with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Rainforestation features in their Rainforest Experience tour, Tjapukai in their Dreamtime Experience tour and Koala Gardens, Birdworld and the Butterfly Sanctuary in their Wildlife Experience tour.

 

Great Adventures Reef and Green Island Cruises

With Great Adventures you can explore the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef on any day of your holiday, be it from the spacious reef platform or at the tropical reef and rainforest surrounds of Green Island. Great Adventures’ modern high speed catamarans depart from Cairns daily.

 

AJ Hackett Cairns

AJ Hackett the originators of Bungy since 1986 invite you to come and experience the world’s most amazing adventure playground nestled in the World Heritage listed Rainforest overlooking the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns Bungy Tower, the One and Only Bungy in Australia, has a ‘Jump Menu’ offering 16 different Jump Styles from original Swan Dive all the way to riding a BMX bike off the roof! The Minjin Jungle Swing can be shared with your friends and is a great rush, lifting you to a height of 45 metres and sending you soaring through the rainforest at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour in only 3.5 seconds. With their Gravity Bar, rainforest setting and viewing decks overlooking Cairns and the surround areas, the AJ Hackett site is the perfect place to spend a day of adrenalin pumping fun! Why live on the edge when you can jump off!

 

Billy Tea Safaris

Join Billy Tea Safaris on one of the many personalised tours available including World Heritage listed Daintree/Cape Tribulation and also Chillagoe Caves and Outback. You will retrace the footsteps of some of Australia’s earlier explorers and see wonderful diversity of scenery from ancient rainforest, Savannah plains, Giant Magnetic Termite Mounds, pristine beaches and reefs as well as the wetlands to view wallabies, emus and other wildlife. Birdlife is plentiful on the wetlands.

Billy Tea Safaris prides itself on informative tours and encourages questions, allowing for photographs and explains any enquiries clients have.

Billy Tea Safaris are also Advanced Eco Accredited and a Green Travel Leader.

 

Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome

The Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome is the world’s first Challenge Ropes Course in a wildlife immersion exhibit, It consists of 65 elements of crossings and ziplines. Mid-ZOOM – At an easier level of difficulty, suitable for beginners and/or young people. Must be over 120 centimetres tall and less than 120 kilograms.

Hi-ZOOM – At a greater level of difficulty, consisting of more complex crossings and ziplines for the more adventurous, featuring three ziplines – one of which you dangle over Goliath the croc!
Must be over 140 centimetres tall and less than 120 kilograms.

Power Jump – This enthralling component is a freefall adventure, where you jump off a 13 metre high tower to make a rapid descent, with a fan device ensuring a gentle and smooth landing. Must be over 120 centimetres tall, over 20 kilograms and less then 120 kilograms.

Dome-Climb – Walk along internal walkways with a birds-eye view of inside the Dome, and then an external platform with spectacular views of the city and surrounding land and seascapes. Must be over 120 centimetres tall and less than 120 kilograms.