CAIRNS, Australia: The Great Barrier Reef and Atherton Tablelands
Posted by: kirsty_wilson in Australasia, tags: Australia, Diving, Outdoor Activities, Queensland, RainforestsWhere is Cairns?
Palm Cove
Cairns is located on the north, east coast of tropical Queensland, Australia and is a popular travel destination for many. Peace Mitchell is a local to Cairns and very passionate about her town. Peace is Director of Cairns Family Holidays, a website specializing in providing family-friendly information, tips and reviews on Cairns and the surrounding region. Peace loves spending time with her family, travelling, reading, sailing and photography. Peace has authored the following post about Cairns.
Cairns is a fantastic destination for anyone wishing to experience the best of Australia’s natural experiences. Here you’ll find the amazing Great Barrier Reef, home to thousands of species of unique corals, tropical fish, sea turtles, dolphins and other animals. Reef trips go daily and you can have the option of diving, snorkeling or not getting well at all and exploring by glass bottom boat or semi submersible.
The coral islands off the coast of Cairns are gorgeous too, Green, Fitzroy, Double, Dunk and Bedarra are just a few of these beautiful islands where you can explore the rainforest, swim in the ocean and snorkel around the reef just metres from the beach.
Although most people visit Cairns to see the Great Barrier Reef the tropical rainforest here is an attraction in its own right. The rainforest found in the North Queensland region is thought to be among the very oldest continuously existing rainforest in the world.
Atherton
Just to the east of Cairns you’ll find the rolling green hills of the Cairns Highlands, locally known as the Atherton Tablelands, here the climate is a little cooler and you’ll find beautiful lakes, quaint villages and farming townships.
From the Tablelands it’s just a short drive to the outback where you can explore limestone caves, volcanic lava tubes, hot springs and experience aboriginal culture and life on a cattle station.
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
The Cairns region has something for everyone! If you’re looking for adventure, then there’s bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, jungle surfing and a host of exciting water sports to choose from. If shopping’s your thing the region offers everything from boutique and duty-free shopping to locally made art and craft at the numerous markets held throughout the region. For families with young children there are numerous wildlife parks where the kids can hold a koala, feed the kangaroos or pose with a python. For nature enthusiasts you’ll find plenty of opportunities for bird-watching and exploring the rainforest both by day and by night.
Map
TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Cairns
One Great Reason to Visit Cairns
One great reason to visit this travel destination is to see the Great Barrier Reef. This is something everyone should experience! I loved taking my kids to see it for the first time, it really is spectacular and something people of all ages can enjoy and appreciate, a true natural treasure.
Cairns and The Great Barrier Reef
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I absolutely adore Cairns. I secretly want to retire to Palm Cove and write books on the balcony of my apartment in my favourite building on the beach front (one day it will be mine anyway!). It has incredible plunge pools on the balconies! Palm Cove, even though it has been developed since the first time we visited, still has such a relaxed village feel to it and is the perfect destination for a holiday, especially since you’re close to great attractions like the Daintree. The Palm Cove Novotel is also a wonderful and affordable place to take the kids.
Love Cairns. The trip into the Atherton tableland is beautiful (check out the curtain fig tree on your way) and it’s just a stones throw from Port Douglas. If you don’t dive on the GBR you’re crazy. It’s so, so beautiful. The weather up there is great, the beer is always cold and the locals are friendly. I’ll be heading back there some day soon.
Thanks for the comments regarding Cairns. I am yet to travel that far north in Queensland. I’ve been to Magnetic Is/Townsville twice but that is as far north. I have every intention of getting to Cairns and the surrounding areas one day!
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I love the Barrier Reef (I’ve snorkelled it 6 or so times in last 10 years). Scenic Railway / Skyway trip to and fromthe Kuranda shops / markets are also great. Another worthwhile (longish) day trip is to go up to Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, the Daintree and Cape Tribulation. (To go further north up the coast road to Cooktown you need a 4WD – a very scenic adventure).
If you want to stay at a Cairns beach rather than in the city itself Trinity Beach and Palm Cove are beautiful They both offer 3 to 5 star accommodation and good restaurants.
All in all Cairns is an easy place to spend a week, but extremely hot and humid in summer, and beach swimming is confined to netted areas for about 7 months of the year due to stingers.
Cairns is the best place to get your adrenaline pumping. Just had my first bungy jump at AJ Hackett and it was soo much fun!
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