Cairns has several notable scenic places close to the city centre. The most famous ones are the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
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Honestly, a lifetime is not enough to explore and enjoy all the amazing natural wonders of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. But if you can't spend your life on holiday, we recommend at least three days in Cairns to discover the main attractions. If you have more time, great!
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.
The VerdictFrom rafting to nightlife to shopping and adrenaline, Cairns offers variety and action that Port Douglas cannot – yet Port Douglas will likely do a better job of giving you the tropical escape you may have been envisioning.
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.
We recommend getting there in the shoulder months of April and May and September and October. The weather is amazing at these times and you'll be beating the dry season crowds!
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.
If you plan on booking tours for your day trips, most of them include complimentary pick-up! Or if you want to rent a car, there are plenty of places to do that in Cairns. But Cairns is a very walkable city, so you should be able to get by without a car easily.
There are so many reasons! From its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, to the surrounding waterfalls and rainforests, to the year-round warm weather, to the fun nightlife and laid-back vibe of the city itself, it's no surprise why people love Cairns.
Yes you can swim in Cairns beaches, however it can be very dangerous between the months of November – May. Most locals would recommend swimming in freshwater lagoons, lakes and waterfalls to avoid crocodiles, jellyfish and other dangerous animals in the sea.
Units in Cairns North top the list for highest property price declines, and this is due to the loss of international visitors that typically flock to the Queensland city. “Cairns' reliance on tourism is a big factor in its relatively poor performance,” Conisbee said.