Experiences

Cairns

Discover how much fun you and your family can have in Cairns.

The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, it offers plenty of activities and natural attractions for families to enjoy.

Cairns Esplanade

The Cairns Esplanade (www.cairnsesplanade.com) is the city's main attraction with a lovely oceanfront promenade and a 4,800 sq m saltwater swimming lagoon. It also features barbecue facilities and a huge playground with slides, swings, water fountains and even a flying fox for kids.

Skyrail (www.skyrail.com.au)

Get a bird’s eye view of the lush rainforest on Skyrail, one of the world’s longest gondola cableways.

Kuranda Scenic Railway (www.ksr.com.au)

Enjoy a journey on this historic train that winds through hand-made tunnels, past spectacular waterfalls and across rugged mountains.

Rainforestation (www.rainforest.com.au)

Have fun at Rainforestation Nature Park, which has amphibious army duck tours, Aboriginal dances activities, a koala and wildlife park, and more.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park (www.tjapukai.com.au)

Learn to throw a spear, try playing the didgeridoo or find out about bush foods at this award winning aboriginal park. It also a fascinating dinner show called Tjapukai By Night.

Hot Air Ballooning

Take a hot air balloon flight and enjoy the adrenaline rush while marvelling at the stunning views.

Balloon operators include Hot Air (www.hotair.com.au) and Raging Thunder (www.ragingthunder.com.au).

Horse riding (www.blazingsaddles.com.au)

Go horse riding along rainforest and bush trails overlooking beautiful beaches and islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

Rainforest Habitat (www.rainforesthabitat.com.au)

Start the day with a delicious and fun-filled Breakfast with the Birds at this delightful wildlife sanctuary.

Wander through the four unique habitats of north Queensland - rainforest, wetlands, woodlands and grasslands.

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest natural wonder, stretching over 2,000 km, and is the only living organism that can be seen from the Moon.

With its crystal clear waters and magnificent array of colourful marine life - more than 400 types of coral, 1,500 specieis of fish and 3,400 coral reefs - the Great Barrier Reef is truly a must-see.

Enjoy a full day cruise and try snorkelling. Swim amongst the colourful fish and try to spot Nemo. If you can’t swim or prefer to stay dry, you can hop onto a semi-submersible or glass-bottom boat.

You can also get up close to the marine life by riding the Scuba Doo, an underwater motorbike, or trying the Seawalker (www.seawalker.com.au), where you walk underwater with a bubble helmet.

There are numerous cruise operators that you can choose from, including Quicksilver Cruises (www.quicksilver-cruises.com), Great Adventures (www.greatadventures.com.au), Sunlover Reef Cruises (www.sunlover.com.au) and Down Under Cruise & Dive (www.downunderdive.com.au).

For a truly over-the-top experience, take a helicopter flight over the reef and enjoy the breathtaking views. Fly with Great Barrier Reef Helicopters (www.gbrhelicopters.com.au) or Down Under Helicopters (www.downunderheli.com).