Is 2 days enough in Cairns?

3 days is absolutely enough time for a fun trip to Cairns! You have time to spend at least 1 day on the Great Barrier Reef, which is a must when heading this far north in Australia. You also have 1 day for a day trip to the rainforest, which is another highlight of the area.



While you could spend weeks in Tropical North Queensland, 2 days is a sufficient introduction to the region's two greatest high-value assets. A standard premier itinerary involves spending Day 1 on the Great Barrier Reef, utilizing high-speed catamarans to reach the outer reef for snorkeling or diving. Day 2 is typically dedicated to the rainforest, either via the Kuranda Scenic Railway or a trip up to the Daintree. Because both sites are significant, these two days will be action-packed and physically demanding. If you prefer a slower pace or want to include the Atherton Tablelands, you would need 4 or 5 days, but for travelers on a tight schedule, 48 hours provides a solid "best-of" experience.

People Also Ask

Realistically between December and April it is not a great place to visit or do a Cairns campervan hire holiday. For example, extremely hot and humid monsoon season can be very unpleasant despite warm temperatures above 30°C! The cyclone season usually lasts in Cairns from November to May!

MORE DETAILS

However, Palm Cove is ideal for couples on a weekend getaway, in need of relaxation but with the option of adventure. Whereas we recommend Port Douglas for families or large groups with a car who are intending to stay for longer than three days. Or, if you still can't decide, why not experience both?

MORE DETAILS

Cairns City is known for sunny weather, warm winters, and for being the gateway to the tropics of Australia. The town itself is small, it's easy to walk around the entire city in a day, or jump on a shuttle or bus to get around.

MORE DETAILS

Cairns is undoubtedly the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is the worlds largest reef system comprised of over 2,900 individual reefs. Each year, people flock to the reef from around the world to swim, snorkel, and dive with the more than 1,500 marine species that call the reef home.

MORE DETAILS

And incredible birds eye views of the reef can be seen along the way! So, back to the question… “How long does it take to get to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns?” The Short Answer: it takes anywhere between 30 min to 2 hrs to get to the Great Barrier Reef.

MORE DETAILS

Cairns is the gateway to Australia's Great Barrier Reef, with most dive and snorkel tours leaving here each day taking visitors on Great Barrier Reef tours to explore this World Heritage listed reef system. Visitors can charter boats, take scenic flights in helicopters or liveaboard extended dive tours on the reef.

MORE DETAILS

Port Douglas is famous for being so close to some of the top attractions in Australia, from the Great Barrier Reef to the oldest rainforest in the world, Daintree Rainforest. You also have the Four Mile Beach which is almost like a tropical island.

MORE DETAILS

Travelers from around the globe make Port Douglas their base for experiencing the myriad outdoor adventures of North Queensland and the Northern Beaches. With three days in the relaxed town, you'll have plenty of time to explore, on land and in the sea. Here's how.

MORE DETAILS

Only a 25 minute drive to Cairns and a 35 minute drive to Port Douglas, Palm Cove is situated in the perfect location to explore the many Attractions of Far North Queensland. The World Heritage-listed Rainforest is minutes from Palm Cove and the Great Barrier Reef; so close it is just a hop skip and a jump away.

MORE DETAILS