Overview Cairns is a city located within the state of Queensland in Australia. It's a rapidly expanding city whose economy relies heavily of both the tourism and sugar industries.
What draws tourists to Cairns is its tropical weather and close location to many attractions. For instance, from Cairns you can visit exciting sites such as the amazing Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree National Park.
Cairns usually has a wet season, with tropical monsoons, between December and April. The dry season is usually from May through November.
Destinations
Cairns is included on several Australia & New Zealand cruise itineraries.
Cruise Lines Departing Here
Cairns is not a cruise departure port.
Currency The official currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD). Using a credit card whenever possible is a great way to avoid having to exchange currency. ATM machines are available, but make sure you use one that works with the card you're using.
Language The official language Australia is English.
Tourist Attractions The cruise pier in Cairns places you within walking distance of all the main attractions in town. Rental cars and taxis are the best way to get out of Cairns if you're looking to do so.
The Great Barrier Reef can be reached via Cairns in less than an hour, via boat. It's the world's largest coral reef system, with an overall area of over 132,000 square miles! Because of its beauty and uniqueness, snorkeling and scuba diving in this area is extremely popular and is a "can't miss" opportunity for those interested in such activities. You can schedule a cruise line arranged shore excursion to take you to the Great Barrier Reef. There will usually be independent tour operators waiting by the cruise pier for this purpose as well.
The Cairns Esplanade is a popular recreational area, among both locals and tourists, featuring a large swimming lagoon, shops, restaurants, a children's playground and more. This area is also a migratory bird and fish habitat. It's a popular area for kite flying, picnics, barbeques and rallies.
Daintree National Park is located 100 km northwest of Cairns. The rainforest that thrives throughout most of the park is considered to possibly be the oldest rainforest in the world. The Bouncing Stones Site, located within this region, is a beach that's very sacred to the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginals of the area.
There are many theme parks located near Cairns. Included among them are the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park (where you can experience authentic live performances of various Aboriginal cultural dances, as well as visit a museum and art gallery), the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (a place where you can ride in a six-person gondola cabin, above the rainforest, to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the rainforest and sea), and the Rainforestation Nature Park (located in Kuranda, where you can experience Aboriginal culture, take tours of the rainforest, and visit their Koala & Wildlife park).
Fitzroy Island is located about 29 km southeast of Cairns. There's a beautiful national park there and there are ferries available to take you to and from the island. For the smoothest trip possible, be sure to verify departure and return times prior to your arrival in Cairns.
Port Location The cruise pier is located at Trinity Wharf, right in town. All of the city's main attractions are within walking distance of the wharf. For those looking to go out of Cairns, there will be many taxis waiting at the pier.
