Cairns Travel Guide

Tucked between rainforest mountains and the shimmering Coral Sea, Cairns occupies one of Australia's most vividly green coastlines. This colourful, cosmopolitan city in Far North Queensland serves as the gateway to two World Heritage treasures, namely the Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Daintree Rainforest, and invites visitors to experience the best of tropical Australia in one unforgettable place.

Founded in 1876 as a port for the nearby goldfields, Cairns grew through timber and tin mining in the Atherton Tablelands before evolving into one of Australia's premier visitor destinations. Today, it's a lively hub of streets lined with cafés, shops and hotels, and a harbour filled with reef-tour and diving vessels.

The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, a vast salt-water swimming area on the waterfront, offers safe year-round swimming and a perfect spot to enjoy the city's tropical climate. With easy access to reef and rainforest, Cairns combines natural wonder with a relaxed, adventurous spirit.