2 perfect days in Cairns

I’ve visited Cairns more times than I can count and one thing I can tell you is to bring a sense of adventure (plus plenty of sunscreen and insect repellent). This is the gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, after all, and home to Daintree National Park, which has more than a few mozzies, or mosquitos as Aussies call them. The city also has a gorgeous waterfront walk and powdery beaches for travelers who prefer more low-key activities.

Cairns is the perfect jumping off point for exploring the northeastern coast of Queensland and this two-day itinerary will help you plan a quick trip to the region. So that you’ll get the most out of your days, I’ve incorporated Tripadvisor reviews and ratings, too.

On your first morning, get up early to avoid the heat and head to Kuranda National Park. The best way to take in this sprawling rainforest is by hopping aboard the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, a 15-minute drive from the center of Cairns. After boarding a gondola, you’ll float high above the forest canopy for nearly five miles. I recommend you disembark along the way to join a ranger for a stroll along the suspended boardwalk. Just avoid if you’re scared of heights.

The gondola drops you off at the village of Kuranda, which has open-air market stalls where you can shop for souvenirs. You might even get to watch a few of the artisans at work. There are also plenty of places to stop for a quick drink and a snack here. I’m a fan of the Barron Falls Hotel, with a great veranda and tasty sandwiches (a heads up, they don’t take cash).

Grab lunch at one of the dozen or so restaurants in Kuranda. Petit Cafe is a favorite and Tripadvisor readers rave about the pizzas from the wood-fired oven. Then check out the nearby Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. You could always walk around on your own but I recommend you sign up for a guided tour of the caterpillar nursery and the aviary, which has more than 1,500 butterflies. A tip: The butterflies are more likely to land on you if you wear colorful clothing.

Make your way back to the city on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, passing torrential Barron Falls along the way, before stopping at Cairns Aquarium. You can see more than 70 different habitats and over 16,000 marine creatures here, including pig-nosed turtles and whiptail stingrays. If you’re feeling brave, take a dive in the shark tank (yes with real sharks). The team here will set you up with a wetsuit and diving equipment. Just bring your swimsuit to wear underneath.

As the sun sinks below the horizon, take a stroll along the Cairns Esplanade (the views are incredible at this time). If it’s a Friday night and you’re feeling adventurous, check out the Deadly After Dark tour by Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours. It takes you sailing across Trinity Inlet at sunset, with a quick stop at a stingray shelter.

From there, it’s just a short walk to the low-key Prawn Star where tables are set in repurposed fishing trawlers that bob in the water. It’s the ideal setting for a menu of just-caught seafood dishes like salmon sashimi, oysters, and crayfish. A tip: Book in advance since tables fill up quickly when the weather is nice.

It’s another early morning for you. Leave Cairns and drive north along the coast towards Port Douglas. You’ll need at least an hour to get there, more if you stop for photos of the sunrise. Once you arrive, join a tour of Daintree National Park—it’s believed to be the oldest surviving rainforest on the planet. Trees like the bull kauri, an evergreen found only in this region, can soar as high as a 14-story building.

The best way to take it all in is with a guide from Walkabout Cultural Adventures. You’ll learn about the history of the Kuku Yalanji people, who are native to northern Queensland and discover how plants that grow in the mudflats and along the ocean were used for food and medicinal purposes.

Go for a quick lunch at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina before your tour of the Great Barrier Reef. There are several good options to choose from, but Hemingway’s Brewery is my go-to. You can sip local craft beers and ciders and tuck into modern Australian small plates like salt and pepper squid or cassava crisps with guacamole, or order the classic burger with bourbon barbecue sauce.

Don’t be overhwhelmed by the dozens of companies offering Great Barrier tours. They are all good, but Sailaway Port Douglas stands out for its Afternoon Snorkeling and Sailing Cruise to the Low Isles led by a marine biologist. You cruise out on a comfortable catamaran, swim with green turtles, and snorkel around the world’s biggest coral reef and learn a ton along the way.

Reserve a table for dinner at the open-air Osprey’s Restaurant, a 10-minute drive from Port Douglas. Chef Graeme Mile has put together a seasonal menu that uses all local ingredients. Think tandoori octopus, crocodile pastilla, spiced coconut lobster, and pickled eggplant with peanut sauce. And while you eat, you get to look out at the ocean and mountains in the distance.

Head back into Cairns and hit the Night Markets. Open every day from 4:30pm to 10:30pm, you’ll find tons of stalls selling made-in-Cairns souvenirs ranging from opal or pearl earrings to fragrant massage oils

If you’re looking for a great place to toast the end of your trip, the rooftop bar Rocco by Crystalbrook delivers. My drink of chocie here: the Baklava, a potent blend of spiced rum, amaretto, honey water, and walnut bitters. And the chocolate and sesame custard donuts are the perfect accompaniment.