HOW TO SPEND 3 PERFECT DAYS IN CAIRNS
Cairns is considered to be the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and to Daintree Rainforest, which is the world’s oldest continuously surviving rainforest. In this blog I will show you how to spend a long weekend while visiting some of the best locations Tropical North Queensland can offer.
Most tourists only use Cairns as their base for their day trips but the city do offer various options to enjoy a laid back day with several coffee shops and beaches around.
ACCOMODATION
Cairns offers a wide range of accommodation from which you can choose from. Generally, the price range depends on how close are you staying to the marina (from where all the day trips are starting).
Luxury
Shangri-La The Marina
Hilton Cairns
Pullman Reef Hotel
Mid-range
DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns
Coral Tree Inn
Budget
YAL Cairns
Travellers Oasis
The Red Sparrow
DAY TRIPS FROM CAIRNS
Day 1 - Fitzroy Island
After a quick and early breakfast we were already on the way to Fitzroy Island. The island is located just 45 minutes from Cairns and it is one of the most accessible parts of the Great Barrier Reef.
You can find several walking trails and see astonishing marine life around the island! For the ones who are seeking more than just a day trip there are accommodation available on the island from where visitors can explore the different parts of the island over multiple days.
Walking tracks
Nudey Beach
Distance: 1,2km | 30-45mins
Difficulty: Moderate | there are one or two sections where the rocks make the trail a little harder than it would be during an easy hike
Nudey beach is definitely one of the main reasons why I have decided to visit Fitzroy Island. But as it’s probably the most popular spot on the island you have to be fast if you want to spend a few minutes alone at this location. My advice would be that as soon as you get off the vessel you head to this spot, even though the bar on the way looks very welcoming for a morning coffee trust me delaying that drink by a few hours would benefit you greatly. Many of the visitors stop to have a refreshment so you would have a head start at Nudey Beach.
As you arrive to the beach you will see the beautiful aqua toned water with the orangish coloured rocks… This scenery truly makes you feel that you are in a tropical paradise. By the time others get to the beach you are most likely done with your photos and videos and you can peacefully head back to the bar to have a drink.
Secret Garden Track
Distance: 700m | 20 mins
Difficulty: It is classified as moderate but it is an easy track to walk on
Behind the bar you can find the Secret Garden track, which is the island’s easiest trail. After hours spent on the beach this short and enjoyable walk through the rainforest which provides shades for you.
Lighthouse Road
Distance: 3,6km | 1,5 - 2 hours
Difficulty: Hard
The ones who seek more adventures can take the service road up to the Old Lighthouse. It is a very steep road up there but since it is sealed I would say almost everyone can do it in their own pace, the views along the way and from the top will definitely reimburse all the energy you put into the hike. It will take you a bit more than an hour to get up there with several stops on the way and I would say doing this hike before lunch will make the perfect appetite for you.
Summit hike
Distance: 4km | 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Hard
If you still have the energy for hiking more you can take the summit track almost from the trail head of the lighthouse track which will take you to the top of the island from where you have a perfect view all over the place. Even though I didn’t have the time to do this hike but I got to talk to some who did and they were absolutely stunned by the views from the top.
Don’t miss out on this: SNORKEL SAFARI
Throughout the day you have the ability to rent snorkel gear and start exploring around the beaches on your own but if you are looking for something extra you can book a snorkel safari tour. During this activity you will join a small group of people and together with the company’s marine biologists you will head out to a remote location next to the island. After getting into the water you will immediately see stunning corals. You will swim around the area for 20-30 minutes while the crew is giving you a detailed introduction to the reef system.
*Please make sure that you respect the marine life around. Don’t break, touch the corals or the fishes around when you are out snorkelling!*
Day 2 - Green Island
Even though Green Island is relatively small but there are plenty of things to do when visiting. It’s a bit further away from Cairns than Fitzroy Island but it is very much an enjoyable cruise with seeing all the islands around. Once you get to the island you can either stay on shore or go on one (or several) of the activities provided by Big Cat Green Island Cruises.
Activities on the island
Take a walk around the island and enjoy some beach time
Visit the Mainland Crocodile Park - CLICK HERE for more info
Rent snorkel gear
Renting a snorkel gear and explore on you own is always a good option. Green Island being a coral cay gives you the chance to see all the beautiful corals up-close.
*Please make sure that you respect the marine life around. Don’t break, touch the corals or the fishes around when you are out snorkelling!*
Activities off the island
If you want to have a closer look at the corals and marine life Big Cat Green Island Cruises do offer some incredible ways to do so.
Snorkel safari
Similarly as on Fitzroy Island you can book a snorkel safari, where they will take you out in a boat a bit further away from the island. With the help of marine biologists you will have the opportunity to not only explore what lies underneath the water but also learn more about the Great Barrier Reef as you are being introduced to the different type of corals.
*Please make sure that you respect the marine life around. Don’t break, touch the corals or the fishes around when you are out snorkelling!*
Glass bottom boat or Semi-submarine ride
I know some people would rather skip on snorkelling for a bunch of reasons. If you are one of them the following two options got you covered as you will have the ability to see the reef without getting wet.
You can either take a Glass bottom boat or a Semi-submarine ride both of which are perfect to explore all around. Personally, I enjoyed the semi-submarine ride more since that’s the closest feeling you can get to snorkelling / diving but if you are struggling in closed & small places then a Glass Bottom boat tour might be more suitable for you.
Day 3 - Daintree Rainforest
On the third day I would recommend you to visit the oldest continuously surviving rainforest on the world, Daintree. Daintree Rainforest has several unbelievable locations waiting to be explored. On this day I have decided to head to Port Douglas - which is approximately a 1,5 hours drive from Cairns - and take a tour through which I managed to get a glimpse into the 130 million years old rainforest. On the top of all that, I got to see the only place on Earth where two world heritage sites meet, Cape Tribulation or as some people call it the place where the reef meets the rainforest.
There are accommodation available in Port Douglas from where you will get picked up by the company, unfortunately currently they do not offer pick up services from Cairns.
Highlights of the day:
Mossman Gorge
Short ferry ride on Daintree river
Cape Tribulation
Crocodile Safari
Walk in the rainforest
Keep an eye out for cassowaries because you might get lucky and see one between locations!
There are many more locations near Cairns which can be explored but that’s all from me now. If you have any questions about any of these trips or locations reach out on Instagram and I’m happy to help!
