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What do I wear in Cairns?

Lightweight Clothing: Cairns enjoys a warm and humid climate, so pack light, breathable clothing such as t-shirts, shorts, and sundresses. Opt for fabrics that wick away moisture and provide UV protection.



Cairns has a tropical climate, meaning "casual and breathable" is the mandatory dress code. Year-round, you should stick to lightweight fabrics like linen and cotton to cope with the high humidity. Shorts, t-shirts, and sundresses are the standard daytime attire. If you are heading out to the Great Barrier Reef, bring swimwear and a "rashie" (UV-protective swim shirt) to protect against both the sun and seasonal marine stingers. For footwear, "thongs" (flip-flops) are acceptable almost everywhere, but bring sturdy sneakers or hiking boots if you plan to explore the Daintree Rainforest. In the "winter" months (June to August), the evenings can get slightly crisp (15∘C or 59∘F), so a light cardigan or denim jacket is useful. Above all, Cairns is very laid-back; even high-end restaurants usually only require "smart casual" (neat shorts and a polo shirt are often fine).

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As an added protection from the sun, take a light, long-sleeved shirt. Wetsuits, stinger suits and lycra suits are available on most Cairns Great Barrier Reef day tour and liveaboard boats. For your comfort and safety, it is highly recommended that you wear these when in the water, especially during the summer months.

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Take care when diving and snorkelling Be aware of where your fins are and avoid touching anything with them. Don't rest or stand on coral. If you must stand up, make sure it is on sand or use rest stations. Observe animals rather than handling them directly, and avoid blocking the path of free swimming animals.

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10 cures for the chronic overpacker
  1. Start with a carry-on.
  2. Only pack things that can be worn more than once.
  3. Pack more tops than bottoms.
  4. Bring multipurpose toiletries.
  5. Limit yourself to three pairs of shoes.
  6. Minimize electronics.
  7. Leave 'just in case' items at home.
  8. Don't pack at the last minute.


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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!

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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.

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Wetsuits are essential to wear while you're snorkelling, or even when you're diving in the Great Barrier Reef. The wetsuits keep you protected from any cuts and scratches that may occur if you get a bit close to the coral. Additionally, the wetsuits are also like a stinger suit, so they will protect you from jellyfish.

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Let's be real. Tropical Far North Queensland is chock-full of crocs, including Cairns. Both species native to Australia inhabit the freshwater streams and brackish creeks of Cairns: the saltwater crocodile and its freshwater cousin, the—you guessed it—freshwater crocodile.

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Can you swim in the ocean in Cairns? Of course you can! Your main concerns when taking a dip in the Cairns ocean are stingrays and jellyfish. That's not to say saltwater crocodiles don't pose a threat on the beaches as well, however, they tend to prefer the muddy and brackish waters of estuaries and creeks.

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