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Cairns is the perfect destination for a family holiday. From the beautiful beaches to the historic rainforests and the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef, there are activities for everyone, suited to every budget.

Boasting a warm tropical climate all year round, Cairns has two seasons – the wet season and the dry season. The wet season brings humidity and high likelihoods of rainfall from November to April. Prices are lower across the board during the wet season, with cheaper domestic flights and accommodation. The rainforests are at their most vibrant and rivers and waterfalls are bursting with life. The dry season is the peak season (April to November) with idyllic weather and temperatures averaging 18-26 degrees. During the winter months, the weather is dry with clear skies and calm winds, making it the perfect time for a family escape.

Big Days Out and Experiences

It’s a given - you can’t go to Cairns and not visit the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef! Tour companies offer snorkelling and diving excursions, or if you’re a non-swimmer and prefer to remain out of the water, take a trip over the coral in a glass-bottom boat. If you have the opportunity, hop aboard a helicopter to experience the reef from a very different perspective. You can admire the beautiful blue water as you fly over lush tropical islands, little cays and coral beds. For a fun way to spot turtles and colourful fish, a Scuba-Doo ride offers a memorable experience. Zoom around the reef on an underwater scooter and descend three meters to the coral below on a fully guided tour with Great Adventures.

Fitzroy Island is a tropical paradise where the rainforest meets the reef. Only a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns, the relaxed island has plenty to do. Visit the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre or trek up to the Lighthouse for unbelievable views, snorkel and swim off the award-winning beaches, play on the ocean trampoline or hire out a kayak or stand up paddle board for hours of endless fun!

Take a return round trip via cable car and historic railway over and through World Heritage-listed rainforest canopies, past spectacular waterfalls and incredible scenery.

Your journey will take in a stop at Kuranda Village, a picturesque rainforest village in the mountains. The colourful village is a delightful mix of quirky surprises. Visit the famous Kuranda Markets, enjoy beautiful walking trails or get up close and personal with native wildlife. We rate the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary – a Kuranda icon! You can choose to take just one mode of transport both ways, but for the full experience we recommend you take the Skyrail one way and the Scenic Railway the other.

80km north of Cairns you will find the beautiful Mossman Gorge. Crystal-clear water cascades over large granite boulders in the Mossman River gorge. Lush rainforests cloak steep mountainsides from the riverbanks up to the rugged eastern slopes of the Main Coast Range. Park up at the Visitors Centre and pay your entrance fee to visit the gorge. Part of the historic Daintree National Park, Mossman Gorge is another ‘must do’ item on your Cairns bucket list.

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is the best place to see crocodiles and local wildlife up close. Just 40 minutes north of Cairns, spend your day exploring the 2100 metres of boardwalks and pathways that lead you on a journey through woodlands and rainforests, enjoy educational wildlife presentations, and take a boat cruise across Hartley’s Lagoon to spot the crocodiles.

Take on a couple of mini rapids (or ripples) as you kayak down the gently flowing waters of Babinda Creek, a crystal-clear mountain stream teeming with fish, turtles and platypus! Babinda Kayaks offers half or full day tours perfect for the whole family.

Discover where Australia begins at

Tjapukai. Explore the rich history of the world’s oldest living culture and enjoy a unique cultural experience with performance, dance, food and arts. This is one of the most authentic Aboriginal tours available in Australia and is a mustvisit when in Cairns.

Cairns Family Attractions There are lots of fun indoor and outdoor activities to keep the kids entertained for a half or full day. Our kids voted these the best.

The Cairns Aquarium is one of Australia’s newest and most spectacular aquariums. Exclusively showcasing the stunning aquatic wildlife from Far North Queensland’s reefs and rainforests, travel through 10 ecosystems and discover 71 exhibits.

The Lagoon is an iconic Cairns tourist attraction, with a 4800sqm saltwater pool that offers an all-year-round safe swimming location. Entry is free and lifeguards patrol the Lagoon during opening hours. Soak up some sun and take in the views of the Trinity Inlet.

Muddy’s Playground is by far the best playground in Cairns. Right on the Esplanade, it is home to some epic water fun, two hamster wheels, slides, climbing frames, and even a liberty swing, there is something for everyone at Muddy’s Playground. There is a great café there too! When we visited the kids loved it and did not want to leave!

Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome is the world’s first challenge ropes course within a wildlife park! Located in the heart of the Cairns CBD, kids (8+) can experience adventure on the rope courses, cuddle a koala, and even zip line over Goliath the 4-metre saltwater crocodile! Jump from a 13-metre high tower in a free fall venture or walk around the external platform in the Dome-Climb to see

Cairns from all angles.

Beaches and Water Holes

Escape to beaches with sandy shores lined with palm trees, or splash around in stunning natural water holes, for some of the best low-cost family fun around!

Palm Cove is one of Cairns’ most iconic beaches. The idyllic seaside village is perfectly located between Cairns and Port Douglas and offers a mixture of fine dining, cafes and ice cream parlours. Drop a line at the jetty, enjoy a relaxing swim or utilise the free barbeque areas.

Just five minutes north of Palm Cove is Ellis Beach. The picture-perfect scene offers tranquil waters and a string of coconut trees. The quiet beach is also home to the Ellis Beach Bar & Grill with tasty food and great deals!

The tropical town of Port Douglas has it all. Roughly a one-hour drive north of Cairns, experience the stunning views from the famous Great Barrier Reef Drive. Home to Four Mile Beach, you can enjoy a swim in the gentle waves, get fit on the walking trails, shop in the local boutiques and enjoy an alfresco dining experience. Don’t miss the iconic Sunday Markets where you can buy handcrafted local products.

The Boulders is a popular swimming and picnic area in the tropical rainforest in the foothills of Bartle Frere (Chooreechillum), a place of spiritual significance for Aboriginal people. The creek itself is populated with huge, surreal boulders with eggshell-smooth water weaving a calm path between them. Every now and again it pools into tiny lagoons where people can kick back and swim – made even better by the fact the water is usually fairly cool, even in the humid summer months Behind the boulders, you can catch a glimpse of Mt Bartle Frere rising in the distance. This is Queensland’s highest mountain and the source of the water from Babinda Creek. Though the boulders are nestled in acres of stunning scenery, it is just the section of the creek with the huge granite boulders that is known as Babinda.

There’s More to Tell! There is so much more to do in Cairns! Read the full article online to discover more great adventures, fabulous playgrounds, the best places to eat, and accommodation options for all budgets. There are even discount codes to many attractions to help your holiday fund go further!

Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code to go to the full article which includes family friendly accommodation suggestions for all budgets!