7 days in Cairns Itinerary

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing.

Venture out of the city with trips to Port Douglas (Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, Safaris, &more), Palm Cove Beach (in Palm Cove) and Hartley's Crocodile Adventures (in Wangetti). Spend the 26th (Sat) among aquatic life with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Spend the 1st (Fri) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. There's lots more to do: trek along Esplanade Boardwalk, view the masterpieces at Bones and Jones, see the world from above with a helicopter tour, and admire the natural beauty at Botanical Gardens.

To see reviews, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Cairns day trip planner.

In December in Cairns, expect temperatures between 36°C during the day and 26°C at night.