Cairns guidebook
Sightseeing
Catch the train from the historic Freshwater Train Station, just a stroll away. A great rail journey up to the colourful village of Kuranda with a stop along the way to view the Barron Falls. Audio commentary in each of the vintage/refurbished carriages provides information of the history of the area and the building of this difficult track. Recommend you combine this with a return via the Skyrail.
19 locals recommend
Kuranda Scenic Railway Freshwater Station
Catch the train from the historic Freshwater Train Station, just a stroll away. A great rail journey up to the colourful village of Kuranda with a stop along the way to view the Barron Falls. Audio commentary in each of the vintage/refurbished carriages provides information of the history of the area and the building of this difficult track. Recommend you combine this with a return via the Skyrail.
Extraordinary experience and views as you float above the rainforest canopy and Barron River. Break your journey for informative board walks through the rainforest and view the Barron Falls from the northern side. Recommend you combine this with a journey up on the Kuranda Scenic Railway with plenty of time to explore the colourful village of Kuranda in between.
284 locals recommend
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
6 Skyrail DrExtraordinary experience and views as you float above the rainforest canopy and Barron River. Break your journey for informative board walks through the rainforest and view the Barron Falls from the northern side. Recommend you combine this with a journey up on the Kuranda Scenic Railway with plenty of time to explore the colourful village of Kuranda in between.
Free entry
The Cairns Art Gallery is one of the few remaining heritage buildings in Cairns. Located in the heart of the busy central business district and adjacent to the beautiful Cairns lagoon and boardwalk, the Gallery enjoys a prestige location with on-street parking and is within walking distance to all forms of public transport.
145 locals recommend
Cairns Art Gallery
40 Abbott StFree entry
The Cairns Art Gallery is one of the few remaining heritage buildings in Cairns. Located in the heart of the busy central business district and adjacent to the beautiful Cairns lagoon and boardwalk, the Gallery enjoys a prestige location with on-street parking and is within walking distance to all forms of public transport.
Strolling along the Esplanade is a great way to spend an hour or two. The "Lagoon" at the southern end is a popular swimming hole and there are plenty of BBQs and picnic spots along the way. Playground, skate park and volley ball courts further north. There are many restaurants along the way.
https://www.cairnsattractions.com.au/explore/family-attractions/cairns-esplanade-lagoon-attractions.395.html
13 locals recommend
Esplanade
EsplanadeStrolling along the Esplanade is a great way to spend an hour or two. The "Lagoon" at the southern end is a popular swimming hole and there are plenty of BBQs and picnic spots along the way. Playground, skate park and volley ball courts further north. There are many restaurants along the way.
https://www.cairnsattractions.com.au/explore/family-attractions/cairns-esplanade-lagoon-attractions.395.html
Very pretty little town about an hour north of Cairns. The journey hugs the coast, one of the most picturesque roads in Australia. If going up you may consider going on a Sunday to enjoy the famous markets
239 locals recommend
Port Douglas
Very pretty little town about an hour north of Cairns. The journey hugs the coast, one of the most picturesque roads in Australia. If going up you may consider going on a Sunday to enjoy the famous markets
A great place to relax and get a taste for tropical gardens and plants. An excellent glass house with a huge collection of plants, including ferns, giant lily and flowering orchids. Enjoy a coffee, walk the many trails, or attend free guided and informative walks including Tuesday's birdwatching tour.
https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/facilities-sport-leisure/botanic
235 locals recommend
Cairns Botanic Gardens
78-96 Collins AveA great place to relax and get a taste for tropical gardens and plants. An excellent glass house with a huge collection of plants, including ferns, giant lily and flowering orchids. Enjoy a coffee, walk the many trails, or attend free guided and informative walks including Tuesday's birdwatching tour.
https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/facilities-sport-leisure/botanic
Food scene
Walking distance.
Vines is the charming café nestled in the beautiful grounds of Limberlost Garden Centre. The café is set in the home of the original owners of Limberlost Garden Centre. The old historic Queenslander has been restored and renovated to retain that cool timber atmosphere. The new veranda overlooks the lower deck and gazebo where the famous Limberlost jade vines provide a quiet sanctuary to escape from the tropical sun.
Vines at Limberlost
113 Old Smithfield RdWalking distance.
Vines is the charming café nestled in the beautiful grounds of Limberlost Garden Centre. The café is set in the home of the original owners of Limberlost Garden Centre. The old historic Queenslander has been restored and renovated to retain that cool timber atmosphere. The new veranda overlooks the lower deck and gazebo where the famous Limberlost jade vines provide a quiet sanctuary to escape from the tropical sun.
One of the better Thai restaurants in Cairns and just a few kms away.
https://siam-orchid-spicy.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
23 locals recommend
Siam Orchid Spicy
21 Kamerunga RdOne of the better Thai restaurants in Cairns and just a few kms away.
https://siam-orchid-spicy.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
Muddy's Cafe is a great location on the Esplanade for a coffee, or meal. Excellent views of Trinity Bay
96 locals recommend
Muddy's Cafe
174 EsplanadeMuddy's Cafe is a great location on the Esplanade for a coffee, or meal. Excellent views of Trinity Bay
Fab little cafe, and as the name suggests, straight on the beach.
46 locals recommend
Strait on the Beach
Oleander StreetFab little cafe, and as the name suggests, straight on the beach.
Wonderfully renovated wharf warehouse, right on the water offering craft beers and food.
https://www.hemingwaysbrewery.com/cairns-wharf/
41 locals recommend
Hemingway's Brewery Cairns Wharf
Wharf StreetWonderfully renovated wharf warehouse, right on the water offering craft beers and food.
https://www.hemingwaysbrewery.com/cairns-wharf/
Views to die for!! Wonderful small cafe. Perfect for a coffee, breakfast, snack etc. Walk here south off the Esplanade, past the marina.
http://wharfonecairns.com.au/
23 locals recommend
Wharf ONE Cafe
Views to die for!! Wonderful small cafe. Perfect for a coffee, breakfast, snack etc. Walk here south off the Esplanade, past the marina.
http://wharfonecairns.com.au/
Renowned as the best french bakery in Cairns. Croissants, pastries, brioche, baguettes, sour dough and coffee.
10 minute stroll from home in the Freshwater shopping area, across from the Freshwater Railway Station.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays otherwise open from 7am to 2pm (left over goodies may be found in the "Friendly Grocer" next door if you're late!)
30 locals recommend
Le Crouton
227 Kamerunga RdRenowned as the best french bakery in Cairns. Croissants, pastries, brioche, baguettes, sour dough and coffee.
10 minute stroll from home in the Freshwater shopping area, across from the Freshwater Railway Station.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays otherwise open from 7am to 2pm (left over goodies may be found in the "Friendly Grocer" next door if you're late!)
Freshwater Supermarket and Indian take away.
Good curries and samosas made on site.
10 minute walk from home in Freshwater shopping area opposite Freshwater Railway Station
32 locals recommend
Friendly Grocer
229 Sheridan StFreshwater Supermarket and Indian take away.
Good curries and samosas made on site.
10 minute walk from home in Freshwater shopping area opposite Freshwater Railway Station
Weekends sees this market open for local produce. Mostly fruit n veg but also bakers, small goods, coffee, flowers and odds n sods. A nice selection of eateries too.
225 locals recommend
Rusty's Market
89 Grafton StWeekends sees this market open for local produce. Mostly fruit n veg but also bakers, small goods, coffee, flowers and odds n sods. A nice selection of eateries too.