A local guide to Cairns

Zoe's Cairns

Your host · Tropical Guest Suite, Brinsmead
Eat & drink

Places to eat

There's no shortage of great places to eat in Cairns, but here are a few of our favourites!

NOA
Breakfast

NOA

1 Pyne St, Edge Hill
"Friendly atmosphere and serves an excellent breakfast! Open all day. Booking recommended. (And just a short walk from the botanic gardens)"
The Chambers
Breakfast

The Chambers

21 Spence St, Cairns City
"Close to the city centre, this is another great spot for breakfast! Open until 2pm most days."
Ela Modern Bistro
Dinner

Ela Modern Bistro

8/1 Marlin Parade, Cairns City
"Views across the marina and excellent food, a great spot for dinner."
Mexicairns
Cocktails & games

Mexicairns

36 Lake St, Cairns City
"Fun bar/restaurant serving tasty cocktails, with the option to play old-school games (adults only from 6pm)."
Yorkeys Knob Boating Club
Kid-friendly

Yorkeys Knob Boating Club

29 Buckley St, Yorkeys Knob
"A casual, kid-friendly dining experience with playground and views of the marina."
Our reef advice

Reef tour

A trip to Cairns wouldn't be complete without experiencing the Great Barrier Reef!

Reef Magic
Zoe recommends

Great Barrier Reef

Reef Magic

From $360
4.6

"Their pontoon is arguably one of the best spots for snorkelling, with glass-bottom boat and underwater observation deck also available."

⏱ Full day · departs 9:00am
Check Availability → View Tour →
Sunlover Reef Cruises
Zoe recommends

Great Barrier Reef

Sunlover Reef Cruises

From $317
4.7

"Sunlover offer both a pontoon experience and/or trip to Fitzroy Island."

Or their Fitzroy Island day trip, from $134 →
⏱ Full day · departs 10:15am
Check Availability → View Tour →
Beyond the reef

Daintree & Kuranda

Daintree & Cape Tribulation
Zoe recommends

Rainforest

Daintree & Cape Tribulation

From $269
4.7

"Visit the world's oldest surviving rainforest! A day trip is highly recommended, with visits to Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge, both well worth a visit!"

⏱ Full day · Mossman Gorge, river cruise, Cape Trib
Check Availability → View Tour →
Kuranda by Skyrail & Rail
Zoe recommends

Kuranda

Kuranda by Skyrail & Rail

From $145
4.6

"Take the scenic railway train (Freshwater station is only 5 minutes away) up to Kuranda, where you can wander around the markets, take a walk along the rainforest boardwalks and visit the butterfly sanctuary, Birdworld or Koala Gardens. Take the Skyrail back down and experience some great views of the rainforest from above!"

⏱ Full day · cableway one way, scenic rail the other
Check Availability → View Tour →
Package

Book Zoe's favourites in one go

Pick the days you'd like, choose your dates, and we'll book them together. One request, one person looking after it.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Adults 15+
2
Children 4–14
0

Children under 4 travel free on the reef and in Kuranda, but can't join the Daintree day. Tell us in the notes and we'll sort it when you book.

Total$0

Prices are the same as booking each tour on its own. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before each tour.

Free & outdoors

Things to do

Visit the beach
Beach

Visit the beach

Holloways & Palm Cove
"Taking a trip to the beach is a must here in Cairns! There's a range of great beaches to choose from, but our favourites are Holloways (less busy than some of the others) and Palm Cove (award-winning beach with nice cafes and restaurants along the esplanade)."
Botanic Gardens
Free

Botanic Gardens

Just a 10 minute drive away
"Easy walking trails, themed gardens and various events throughout the year, the Botanic Gardens are a lovely place to spend a couple of hours. And it's completely free!"
Cairns Esplanade & Lagoon
Walk & swim

Cairns Esplanade & Lagoon

Approx 2.5km stroll
"Park for free in the 'Fun Ship Playground' car park and take a stroll along the esplanade before taking a dip in the man-made lagoon at the other end. There's plenty of cafes and restaurants close to the lagoon too, so you won't go hungry!"
Crystal Cascades
Freshwater swimming

Crystal Cascades

Approx 1.2km walking trail
"Great for those wanting to do a spot of freshwater swimming! A walking trail leads from the free car park to a lookout and a couple of different swimming spots. We'd suggest bringing swim shoes if you have them, as the rocks can get slippery."
With kids

Visiting with kids

Families can easily enjoy the activities already listed, but if you're after something specifically for kids, then these places are great!

Muddy's Playground & Cafe
Free

Muddy's Playground & Cafe

Along the esplanade
"This free playground and splash park is one of our favourite spots for keeping young kids entertained! Free parking is available for up to 3 hours (car park can get busy after 10am) and a cafe with online ordering makes it super convenient."
Hartleys Crocodile Adventures
Day out

Hartleys Crocodile Adventures

A 40 minute scenic drive away
"Hartleys is a great day out for kids! Tickets include croc and snake shows throughout the day, a croc boat cruise and several animal exhibits."
Defy Gravity
Indoors

Defy Gravity

Trampoline park & playground
"If you're looking for something to do indoors, then Defy Gravity is perfect! This trampoline park and playground is open most days throughout the year. Check out their Facebook page defy gravity cairns for opening times and prices."
On the map

Everything Zoe recommends, on one map

Tap a pin for directions in Google Maps.

Getting around

Getting around

From the airport
15 minutes from Cairns Airport.
Parking
Own entrance and carport, free parking on site.
Check-in
Self check-in with a keybox.
Ask Amber

Other plans in mind? Just ask.

Thinking about a different trip, or got a question we haven't answered here? Send us a WhatsApp any time, no obligation at all. Amber is a travel agent here in Cairns and books these tours herself, so you'll get a straight answer rather than a brochure. Usually back to you the same day.

💬 Message Amber on WhatsApp

Back to Zoe's place

Stuck on anything at all? Message Amber, our Cairns local, usually back to you the same day.

💬 Chat with Amber, our local travel agent