Destinations
I had been planning on exploring Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef for a really long time and knew that it'd be the highlight of my Australia itinerary, apart from visiting Melbourne to do the Great Ocean Road Drive. However, to my disappointment, my visit to the Great Barrier Reef did not really live up to my expectations. I'm not a certified diver but I did take the 'Introductory Dive' meant for non-certified divers, where they take you up to 12 meters depth with the help of an instructor. In my opinion, my diving experience in El Nido and Coron in The Philippines transcended my experience in Australia in terms of the sea life that I managed to see during the dive, the colourful reef as well as the clarity of the waters.
Several trips to the Outer Reef (which is supposed to be better because the reef seems to be dying closer to the shore) are available both from Cairns and Port Douglas. However, many Australians advised me before I travelled, that Ningaloo Reef actually makes for a better diving experience and in hindsight, I wish I had paid more heed to that advise!
November - February is actually summer in Cairns and also their 'wet season'. This means that you might experience rain on at least one of three days, although you'd have to be really unlucky for the pours to last the entire day. However, this is also the time when the water is warm enough for you to go swimming/ snorkelling or diving. The 'dry season' is during the winter months June - August which is also a great time to see whales.
I spent 3 days in Cairns which I felt was just about the right time to not only experience Great Barrier Reef but also Cairns city and the nearby rainforests. Here are my tips on what to do in 3 days if you're exploring Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.
Day 1: Explore Cairns city
I quite liked Cairns city because of it's laidback, tropical beach paradise vibe. The moment you enter the city, it begins to feel like you're on a real vacation. Patio bars with soft holiday music during the day (and upbeat tunes at night), people having cocktails no matter what time of day it is, a cool sea breeze against the warm sun rays and night street markets made this city have the perfect vacation vibe.
Suggested centrally located budget stay in Cairns: Cairns Plaza Hotel
Start by taking a walk along the Cairns Esplanade Boardwalk, a 3-km walking path along the sea which passes through outdoor fitness areas, picnic and barbecue areas and ample grassy area to just sit and relax under the trees. Across the road from the boardwalk, you can also find many cafes, restaurants and bars, of which Villa Romana is one of my favourites. On a warm day, you can cool off in the Cairns Lagoon, an artificial saltwater pool made to resemble a lagoon, with views of the sea that is free to enter and use, and is patrolled by a lifeguard through the day.
Cairns Lagoon
In the afternoon, head to The Pier, an indoor shopping centre with boutiques that feature fashionable, handcrafted clothes and accessories, some of the best I've seen in a while. Colourful prints will catch your attention as you walk through the centre and although they're slightly overpriced, the designs are amazing! The Pier Bar, located right outside the shopping centre, is famous for its live music in the evening and cocktails. Although it sounds like it might be located on a pier, it actually isn't but it does face the sea if that helps!
During the evening, head to Cairns Night Markets that open at 4.30 pm. A great, inexpensive place to buy local handicrafts, souvenirs, handmade jewellery and titbits, the market is (fortunately) covered with a canopy which makes it a great place to visit even when it is raining.
Cairns Night Markets
At night, you can book yourself an indigenous aboriginal cultural experience at Tjapukai Cultural Park. Your hotel is likely to have a tour desk that will help you with the bookings if you're looking to have a pick and drop arrangement to the park (20 min away from the city) or you can buy the tickets online here and get yourself to the park by 7.15 pm. Dance performances featuring the indigenous rainforest people, face painting, the sounds of their instrument called didgeridoo, traditional ceremonies and songs followed by a sumptuous buffet meal is what you can expect in this 2.5-hour experience.
Aboriginal cultural show
Day 2: Full day trip to Great Barrier Reef
There are several options for tour companies available to book your full day trip to the Great Barrier Reef. I found a website www.bookme.com.au, a legit site that features discounts on several tours across Australia. I booked my tour on this website with a 20% discount on the price, operated by a company called Divers Den, on a boat called SeaQuest.
SeaQuest proved to be a fantastic boat, with an air-conditioned lower deck and an open upper deck. The instructors on-board were excellent, with not only amazing knowledge of the reef but also a great sense of humour. The boat provides free snorkelling and diving equipment and takes you to two different locations on the outer reef. Complimentary tea, coffee and water are available throughout the day (except when the boat is sailing), and a tropical buffet lunch is served after the first location and before moving on to the next one. Alcoholic drinks are also available for sale, although if you're planning to dive, you might want to avoid drinking.
They also have an option of an Introductory Dive, for the non-certified scuba diving enthusiasts like me. The boat sails for about 1.5 hours to the first location, where it anchors for about two hours, allowing ample time for the snorkelers and divers to explore the reef, before serving lunch. It then moves further about 20 min to another location, where it docks again for about an hour and a half, allowing the snorkellers and divers to explore the area. The whole trip lasts for about 8 hours (9 am- 5 pm).
You also have the option to rent a GoPro on the boat or pay AUD 50 for pictures that are captured by the boat's crew underwater.
It is not uncommon for diving enthusiasts to choose a liveaboard trip on the Great Barrier Reef. These provide the perfect opportunity to go further out onto the reef, which is likely to provide a better glimpse of the exotic sea life and the colourful reef.
Visiting Melbourne? Read my post on Melbourne- to go or not to go?
Day 3: Kuranda Rainforest
When in Australia, you must visit a tropical rainforest! There are two options near Cairns - Kuranda Rainforest which is about 45 min away from the city centre and Daintree Rainforest, which is further ahead (about 2.5 hrs).
Click here to read How to decide between Kuranda or Daintree Rainforest
I decided to visit Kuranda Rainforest which was not only closer but also more commercial of the two. The best way to experience the rainforest is to take the Skyrail one way and the Scenic railway back. I took the Skyrail while going from Cairns to Kuranda, which can be boarded from Smithfield Terminal, about 15-min drive away from the city centre.
Kuranda Skyrail
You can rent a car or take a taxi to the Smithfield terminal. Alternatively, you can book a tour which includes pick up from your Cairns city hotel.
It is best advised to book your experience a day in advance, instead of land up at the last minute to buy the tickets. Click here to book your package.
Kuranda Skyrail
Red Peak
The total journey from Smithfield Terminal to the Kuranda Terminal lasts for about 1.5 hours. On the way, the cable car stops at two points - Red Peak and Barron Falls. A boardwalk takes you through the trees to several scenic lookouts and signage that talks about the flora and fauna often found in these tropical rainforests. The walk doesn't last more than 20 min, so you can be on your way towards the next stop on the Skytrain.
Kuranda Rainforest Boardwalk
Barron Falls
As you continue over the rainforest canopy, crossing over the river and lush greens below, you will approach the next stop which takes you to the scenic lookout of the Barron Falls. The view of the Barron Gorge National Park below is quite stunning!
Kuranda Terminal
There are several things to do when you're in Kuranda Rainforest. For one, you can visit the colourful Village Markets or several cafes and restaurants in the area. There is also a bird park, koala park and a river cruise, which allows you to see crocodiles in the wild.
Over the river & rainforest canopy
If you're looking to cuddle a koala or feed wallabies and kangaroos, you can visit the Koala Gardens. However, be prepared that you will not get more than 30 seconds to hold the Koala during which they will take a few pictures for you. The koalas are not allowed to 'work' for more than 30 minutes a day, which means there are fixed time slots of half an hour during the day in which you are allowed to hold them, with several people queuing at a time, giving you hardly even a minute to 'cuddle' them.
Cuddling a Koala at Kuranda Koala Gardens
Feeding the Wallabies and Kangaroos at Kuranda Koala Gardens
The village markets are a great place to buy some handcrafted jewellery and souvenirs, local gems, kangaroo leather goods, homemade ice cream and a wide range of flavours of Macadamia nuts. There are two main market locations - the Original Markets & the Heritage Markets, both offering some authentic art and craft items.
There are also several walking tracks in the area. The river walks, the jungle walk and the esplanade walk are some short, easy walks that you can take to experience the best of the rainforest.
Kuranda Village Markets
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Not too far from the Skyrail cable car station is the rail station where you can board the Kuranda Scenic Railway. If you're a fan of slow, scenic train journeys in a heritage railway system, then this experience will be right up your alley. Amidst green mountains, stunning waterfalls and gorges, the train chugs along while the commentary focuses on the history of the rail, its builders and the people who died while constructing this marvel years ago. The journey is informative, picturesque and relaxing. However, as the train is not air-conditioned, it can get really balmy on some days in the summer.
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Kuranda Scenic Railway
The train journey lasts about 2 hours and drops you back in Cairns City Centre. Make sure to check the time table for the last departing train and plan your visit to Kuranda Rainforest accordingly. Click here to read in detail about everything you can do in Kuranda Rainforest. You can easily spend the whole day here!
Tami Wilcox
Totally amazing adventure! The Cairns lagoon is a beautiful place to swim and relax, the night markets would be a fun place to shop, and the snorkeling is incredible! I didn’t know there were live-aboard reef adventures available — that would be a dream!
Medha Verma
I know, right! Imagine spending a night on the reefs.
Linda (LD Holland)
Visiting Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef was the highlight of our visit to Australia as well. So great that you decided to do the beginner scuba dive on your visit. I really want to go back and take a live aboard boat to see more of the reef. We were sorry that we missed the visit to the Karunda Rainforest when we visited. The views from the summit would be worth the trip up.
Medha Verma
I would love to experience a live aboard as well next time! I can only imagine how awesome it’d be to spend a night on the reef.
Ana
That Kuala Bear pic is super cute and your snorkeling pics remind me of my first snorkeling experience at Havelock Island. The Great Barrier Reef is on my bucket list. Hope to visit someday in my life!
Medha Verma
I’ve heard so much about Havelock Island, would love to visit someday!
Ariel
Wow, I guess that exploring Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef is every divers dream destination. It’s been a while since the last time I dive, and seeing your photos makes me want to explore another ocean’s paradise. Hopefully, I can also explore this place as well soon. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
blair villanueva
Awww that is an adorable koala bear!
I feel jealous that you can dive deep, coz I still need to learn and practice.
Cairns have a beautiful reef!
Medha Verma
I don’t have certification either Blair. You can still do an ‘introductory’ dive that takes you up to 10 m below, with an instructor with you at all times.
Emily
The Great Barrier Reef has been on my bucket list for so long! Thank you for sharing these wonderful tips!
Sheila
You are so lucky to have dived in the GBR. That is actually one of our dream dive destinations. Unfortunately, large parts of the GBR has suffered coral bleaching due to rising sea temperatures.
Medha Verma
Yeah, that’s true and so unfortunate!
Ewa
Wow, underwater life is really impressive. Very interesting species of fish and beautiful reef! I would love to travel this sky railway to see rainforests from a bird’s eye view.
Merryn
That was a trip down memory lane. I visited those same places some time ago, and this post reminded me that I really should go back! Your pictures are beautiful! I remember the GBR being SO FAR out – I was surprised; I thought it was closer in but it’s not at all. Kuranda and the Koala Gardens are amazing, too, although koalas can be so grumpy- haha. Thank you for this post!
Medha Verma
More than grumpy, I think they’re plain lazy 😉 Haha
Jordan Danielle
What an epic adventure! You’re writing had me feeling like I was right there alongside you. I will def keep these in mind when I visit
Shane Prather
I did all of these same exact things while visiting Cairns! It was a bucket list experience for sure – one many people won’t ever get being so far away. I enjoyed the diverse range of activities in scenery they had to offer!
Myles
Great photos! You captured the moments perfectly. Australia is definitely on our list. We got scuba certified in Thailand and can’t wait for our next dive!
Suruchi
Wow!! All the three places are equally beautiful and attractive. Rainforest experience will top our list and we would love doing it your way. Your under water picture is cool and I liked all the services the boat is providing to its tourists. The holiday vibes of Cairns too sounds quite great. Great pictures
Medha Verma
Thanks, Suruchi x
Parnashree Devi
Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef looks so good. I am always fascinated by the under water world. Since I am water phobic, I can’t do snorkeling or scuba diving. But I really enjoy seeing people doing it. This is a great post where you have covered a great itinerary. I am very much interested to experience the Kuranda Scenic Railway as I love those vintage slow train journeys.
Medha Verma
If you can’t snorkel or dive, then the best way to enjoy the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef is to take a helicopter flight over it! A little expensive, no doubt, but the views are totally worth it.
Daniel
The Great Barrier Reef is absolutely stunning and every diver’s dream I visited last year and this article was a great throwback. By the way, your pictures look absolutely stunning. This post is making me want to just pack right away and visit again.
amar singh
We plan to visit Australia next year and must say I would not miss out on this beauty at any cost. With the changes in the weather patterns and global warming not sure if I would get to see it if I left it too long ( hopefully not) with all the work going behind it to prevent. Its the marine life that makes me most attracted to it and those colours just leaves you speechless. I’m not a great diver so guess will have to do with snorkelling only. cant wait to go
Medha Verma
It’s worth to snorkel as well, though even if you aren’t a great or qualified diver, you have the option of taking an introductory dive in which your instructor will literally hold you and take you around inside the waters.
Danik
Wow, what an experience and adventure you had. I havent been to this part of Australia but looking at doing it soon. One question, as I dont snokerl or dive, is it still worth getting on a boat and checking out the great barrier reef?
Medha Verma
Well, in that case Danik, I’d recommend taking a helicopter tour instead! The view from the sky is breathtaking!
Kristy Bullard
Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef is at the top of my travel bucket list! Your photos and experiences make me want to go even more (I’ve only snorkelled in Hanauma Bay in Hawaii). And… now I want to hold a koala!
Shreya Saha
I am aware of Cairns and of course the Great Barrier Reef, though haven’t been there yet, but what interested me more here is the Kuranda Rainforest. I would love to trek and explore those waterfalls. Thanks for the share, Medha. I will totally add one more day for visiting this particular place.
Medha Verma
The rainforest is certainly a unique experience in Australia, apart from the Great Barrier Reef 🙂
Kate
You do an awesome job of finding some super cute sun dresses! Also the Cairns lagoon looks like an absolute paradise! But most importantly, I need to book a trip right now so that I too can be cuddling koalas. So cute!!
Medha Verma
Thanks Kate, my mom seems to think that I need to buy new sun dresses because mine are too ‘typical’ 😉 Lol.
Elaine Masters
I dream of diving the Great Barrier Reef one day. You got some great pictures on your day out. Wouldn’t have thought about the rainforest but the tram journey with those market and raised walkway stops looks lovely and interesting. This part of Australia is definitely on my bucket list.
Eden
Wow, what an incredible trip this must have been. I imagine the Great Barrier Reef is on the list of just about every traveler in the world, this one included. You got some great underwater photos too, I hope I manage to get some half that good if I’m every lucky enough to get here.
Medha Verma
It is the other end of the world and not the easiest to get to but Australia is definitely one country to have on your bucket list 🙂
Susanna
I wish I had this post last year when I was in Cairns. We focused mainly on diving and loved our diving experience, but we didn’t get out and see or do much else. I would have really enjoyed doing the Tjapukai Cultural Park Aboriginal experience as I enjoy learning about the culture. The scenic railway also looks like a great way to see some nature. Even though you didn’t think the scuba was as good as other places its cool you can still get in without certification. What a great way to spend a few days in Cairns exploring the Great Barrier Reef.
Medha Verma
I agree, I am glad I could dive without certification.
Bianca
Looks like such an amazing experience! Great Barrier Reef has been on my bucketlist for such a long time. Gutted I couldnt fit it into my itinerary for Australia when I last visited.
Medha Verma
Australia is so big, that it is hard to really fit in everything in one trip. One needs to go at least 3-4 times to do any justice to that country!
Angela
It looks like an amazing trip. I’ve always wanted to go to the Barrier Reef and now I’m very envious. I didn’t know that non-certified divers could dive so that’s very interesting. The part of your trip that really appeals to me is the rainforest and the Kuranda railway. That looks like a fabulous experience. So close to nature.
Medha Verma
Rainforests are pretty amazing, I love them!
Aareeba
Omg your pictures are breathtaking and they made me plan a trip to the Australia right now … like seriously… I have always wanted to do dive in the ocean but being a non- swimmer I couldn’t but now i’ve Learnt that shouldn’t be a problem at all. Thanks a lot for inspiring us
Medha Verma
It always helps to know swimming but if you do the assisted dive, it’s not all that important. Having said that, fear of deep waters is something that you definitely should NOT have if you want to go diving!
Sumit Surai
Loved the post. The pictures were really great. Really really want to visit Australia and Great Barrier Reef now
Archana Singh
Before I had visited Australia, the Great Barrier Reef was my #1 attraction in the country. And, I wasn’t disappointed at all by it. I loved your pictures and you seemed to have a lot of fun there. And, that Koala picture of yours look so cute. They are so adorable.
Yukti
Exploring Cairns and Great Barrier reef looks very enchanting due to lots of nature, aboriginal culture, and scenic railway rides. Cairns Night markets look very interesting with the cultural aboriginal show. Also, I would love to take a scenic ride Kuranda rail route. Everything here is not to be missed. Thanks for sharing a detailed itinerary.
Pooja Shah
I want to dive to see the Great Barrier Reef since so long. I am afraid that with so much water pollution and harm to corals I might miss out if I don’t visit as soon as possible. I loved the photographs that you have clicked underwater especially the one with the turtle. Great post.
Medha Verma
Thanks Pooja x
Tami Wilcox
Seriously, I don’t think you could get me to leave the snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef! I went on a Caribbean cruise recently and every port day was spent snorkeling. Still, the Cairns night markets and the rainforest would also be amazing.
umiko
Sorry to hear that your visit to the Great Barrier Reef didn’t really live up to your expectations. But you got to see that big weird looking fish though. And holding the koalas, even though it’s less than 30 seconds. I just knew about them can’t work more than 30 minutes in a day. That’s neat!
Medha Verma
Yeah, I guess they’re doing it for the benefit of the Koalas, so I can’t complain. But I do wish we had longer to hold them, and even play a little!
Francesca Murray
I’d love to check out the Cairns Night Markets. The only markets I’ve ever been to are really early morning. It would be fun to hang out at night for a change. I’d also love to snorkel at the Barrier Reef of course ^_^
Chris Bloomfield
You got to hold a koala bear!!! I so want to visit Australia now! Even if they only let you hold a koala bear for a short time, what an experience to have. The scuba diving looks fun too, I wonder how old my kids need to be to scuba dive.
Medha Verma
I didn’t see any kids diving on my trip. But I guess they’d have it on their website – the minimum age for diving 🙂
Hannah
I’ve been to Australia so many times, but have never visited Cairns or the Great Barrier Reef. Your boat experience sounds fab, although I don’t dive! But I’d love to snorkel. The Kuranda Scenic Railway sounds exactly the kind of activity I’d enjoy. And koalas!
Suma
Visiting Great Barrier Reef is a dream for many traveller! Thanks for the detailed information on diving at the Reef. The photo of you amd Koala is super cute. Great itinerary, thanks for the share.
Medha Verma
Cheers Suma x
Sandy N Vyjay
The Great Barrier Reef is of course one of the natural wonders of the world, but there is so much to see and experience in Cairns city itself. The Tjapukai Cultural Park sounds fascinating with its opportunity to understand more of the aboriginal culture. Another experience that had me riveted was reading about the Kuranda scenic railway.
Medha Verma
The only pity was that it was REALLY hot on the day I was there at Kuranda, and without air conditioning, the train journey became a little tough. However, the views of the rainforest and waterfalls were quite amazing!
Anda
I haven’t been in Australia, but I experienced the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef in New Caledonia, which is a group of islands next to Australia. They call that the New Caledonia Barrier Reef, but it’s still part of the Great Barrier Reef. It’s indeed spectacular, as you describe it in your post. It’s only that I don’t scuba dive, so I only snorkeled from the boat there. I am more of dry land animal (lol), so I’d love to visit Cairns city and its beautiful esplanade boardwalk. Looks fabulous!
Medha Verma
Wow, sounds like a great place – New Caledonia 🙂
Suman Doogar
The reef pictures are stunning. Do you think a person can dive even if they don’t know swimming?
Medha Verma
Well, I did an introductory dive because I am not a certified diver. However, they did require us to at least know how to swim. When I went diving in the Philippines, they were okay to accept non-swimmers as well. The thing is, if you’re a non-swimmer, you’re likely going to need someone to personally hold and escort you all through the experience and although they were happy to do that in the Philippines (maybe because it’s not all that touristy yet), they did not allow that on the Great Barrier Reef. There was 1 instructor for 5 divers, which meant that we had to at least be able to manoeuvre ourselves underwater, something a non-swimmer is unlikely to be able to do.
Daniel
I think exploring the Great Barrier Reef is an experience everyone should try at least once in a lifetime. I’m glad to see you had a great time. Your pictures look absolutely spectacular too! Thank you for sharing this lovely article
Medha Verma
It doesn’t live up to the hype Daniel but I agree, it’s still an experience to be had.
Lisa
Oh wow, I love your diving photos Medha, they’re absolutely stunning. I was a terrible diver when I tried a beginners course, but who knows, you may have just encouraged me to try again! I’ve still not made it to that side of the world, and not sure when I’ll get there. However, Cairns looks like the type of place I want to visit. I love that park too, and would love to hold a koala one day too!
Medha Verma
You know Lisa, in my first attempt, I was a little uncomfortable too, I wasn’t comfortable breathing through my mouth and I panicked a little. I had to calm myself down and give it another shot. I finally got a hang of it and after that, it was amazing! It’s not the easiest to dive, I have to confess, but I guess the more you try, the easier it gets.
Deepak Verma
aha…reviving sweet memories of our trip. Way to go.
Medha Verma
The boat trip was fun, wasn’t it?
Deepak Verma
Yeah…Super
Christina
It’s interesting to hear you weren’t super impressed with the diving. Did you snorkel as well? I’d be keen to hear what you thought of the snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.
Medha Verma
Diving was definitely better than snorkelling, given that you actually get to go inside the waters, closer to the reef, than swim on the surface further away. I had a better diving & snorkelling experience in the Philippines, maybe because it’s still untouched to a large extent!
Christopher Rudder
Great Barrier Reef is every diver’s dream 🙂 Lucky you. Btw, that photo of you sitting effortlessly inside a train looks so interesting. Hope you can do a dedicated post for your experience about Kuranda Scenic Railway 🙂
Nicole
I learned to dive on the great barrier reef and cannot wait to return someday. I think my favorite part of this area is Daintree rainforest. I was just in wow of it. I did not know you could take a scenic train trip near there so that is on the list for next time!
Medha Verma
The scenic train journey is from Kuranda, another rainforest in the area, although I’m sure it doesn’t live up to Daintree which is more thick, green, wild and untouched.
federica
This is such a lovely experience. Cudding a koala is like a childhood dream! I need to organize a trip there.
Medha Verma
It sure is, the only disappointment being that you hardly get 30 seconds to hold the koala!
Nicole Hunter
We will be going to Australia next year so I read your post with lots of interest. I’ve wondered about the Great Barrier Reef – whether it would meet expectations – especially when I have snorkelled all over the world. I kind of thought it wouldn’t, so thanks for confirming that. The visit to the rainforest area looks nice and relaxed. Too bad you couldn’t cuddle the koalas for longer. That would be a definite highlight for me!
Medha Verma
You could go to the Ningaloo Reef further up north, they say it’s better than Great Barrier Reef.
Jane Dempster-Smith
I have always wanted to visit the Great Barrier Reef and snorkel. Your photos are incredible and the colours well definitely a wow on that! I loved the photo of you and the koala at Koala Gardens. I would also add on my list of things to do in Cairns is the Kuranda Scenic Railway what a great way to spend 2 hours.
Medha Verma
The rainforest experience is one I would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Australia. If you like more untouched, thick forests, then Daintree might be a better option. Kuranda was a bit too commercialized.
Shalaka
Beautifully written…!
Medha Verma
Thank you Shalaka x