This is the cruise city to see the coral reef ! I am going to tell you about the city of Cairns in Australia.
Essential to remember
Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef : diving, snorkeling, daily cruises. To combine with Daintree Rainforest (UNESCO tropical forest) and Cape Tribulation. Allow 5 days on site. Tropical climate all year round.
Cairns in Australia is the city of my dreams,
I stayed there for 2 months and had unforgettable memories in Cairns! !
Cairns is located in Queensland, it is generally the city where the East Coast trip begins or ends.
It is the city where the cheapest backpackers in the country are found, 10 euros with breakfast and dinner included, what more could you ask for, there are often the same things but when you have a tight budget, it’s nice not to spend anything extra ! It is also a very good place to party in Australia
  ;What to do in Cairns in Australia ?
Did you know ?
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world : 2,300 km long, visible from space. It is home to 1,500 species of fish, 400 types of corals, and 30 species of whales.
Places and possible trips in Cairns :
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The Lagoon in Cairns in Australia,
A place where you can have barbecues and dip your feet, you find people who want to sunbathe or relax in an outdoor pool-like atmosphere !
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The night market Cairns in Australia,
Open from 6 pm, there are quite a few small shops, you can buy crocodile meat, kangaroo in small packets, quite frequented by Japanese, half of the stalls are run by Japanese ! You can also find exotic food, Chinese, Japanese, American, etc… There are also jewelry stalls, massage stalls (full body, part of the body, with oil). Depending on the day of the week, there is a stall where you can take photos with a BOA. NICE !
My experience
My dive on the Great Barrier in Cairns in June : 30 minutes with a giant turtle, rays, harmless reef sharks. Visibility exceeded 30 meters. One of the most memorable dives of my life, even for a beginner.
| Activity | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Great Barrier Reef Diving | Day | ~250 AUD |
| Barrier Snorkeling | Day | ~180 AUD |
| Daintree Rainforest | Day | ~180 AUD |
| Cape Tribulation | 2 days | ~350 AUD |
| Kuranda Train | Day | ~120 AUD |
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Woolshed and Gilligan’s, the backpackers’ spot in Cairns, Australia :
The most famous bars and clubs in Cairns, you can find events like LADY NIGHT, Fish Racing, etc… Gilligan’s is the largest backpacker hostel in Cairns. These two places have free canteens, let me explain a bit, when you are in a partner backpacker hostel, you are given a “Voucher” (Ticket), and you are entitled to a free meal there! Example meals: Vegetarian pasta, Chili con carne rice, Bolognese pasta.
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Coral Reef Cruise :
Depending on the price you pay from 99 dollars to 150 dollars, they take you to a part of the reef with at least 25 people with you; the cheaper it is, the less beautiful it is; the more expensive, the fewer people on the boat with you and the better the services, it’s a matter of comfort!
Advantages
- Direct access to Great Barrier
- Daintree Rainforest 2h away
- Tropical climate all year round
- Festive nightlife
- Air hub (flights to Tokyo, Bali)
Drawbacks
- Degraded corals on accessible sites
- Box jellyfish (Nov to May)
- Crocodiles in rivers
- Cyclones from January to March
- High excursion costs
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Tropical Forest or RAIN FOREST near Cairns, Australia :
The Daintree National Park with Cape Tribulation. It is one of the few places in the world where the rainforest meets the sea! It is the oldest tropical forest in the world. The place has superb mangroves and you can observe freshwater crocodiles there. There are some nice hikes to do.
The classic trap to avoid
Never swim in the rivers or estuaries around Cairns: saltwater crocodiles live in areas where seawater flows upstream (up to 200 km inland). Respect the warning signs.
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The casino in Cairns, Australia :
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Rafting on the banks of the Tully River :
An experience to try in rapids, count 150 for a day excursion
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Kuranda: an original town
Its panoramic train, you will arrive from Cairns at a superb waterfall, Kuranda is a hippie town with many tourist and Aboriginal stands.
To delve deeper into the topic, the guide on travel advice offers additional practical tips. You will also find interesting leads in our article on organized travel in, and if you are preparing the next part of your trip, the one on West Coast budget is just right.
  ;Find more information in the Australia blog section here.
To delve deeper into the topic, the guide on road trip in offers additional practical tips. You will also find interesting leads in our article on the north of Australia, and if you are preparing the next part of your trip, the one on Tasmania in Australia is just right.
How many days in Cairns?
5 to 7 days for the Great Barrier Reef + Daintree + Cape Tribulation.
What is the best time to visit?
May to October: dry season, no box jellyfish, bearable temperatures.
Do you need to be a certified diver?
No, day trips accept beginners (introductory dive at 100 AUD).













