Cairns
Tell a FriendGATEWAY TO THE REEF
Cairns is a modern city set in tropical far north Queensland and is Australia’s adventure capital – where the rainforest meets the reef. It was first inhabited by Aborigines, then mapped out by James Cook in 1770, and was finally founded as a port for gold exporting in 1876. It became a critical point to the defense of the country during the Second World War, and was a gateway for the Allied Forces. Of course today it is a gateway for something else entirely; after the war the city gradually developed into the centre for tourism that we know of today.
The city is now known for its nightlife, party atmosphere and popular clubs and bars. Cairns is the main gateway to the World Heritage icons of the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforests, as well as nearby towns such as Kuranda though the Scenic Railway. Spend some time exploring the wonders of this region and take home experiences like no others. Don’t forget your camera!
SCUBA DIVING
The Cairns and Great Barrier Reef coastline is the ultimate destination for diving as it provides so many ways for visitors to participate with dive trips available for all skill levels and budgets.
Beginner courses and resort dives are popular ways to be introduced to the Great Barrier Reef. Daily reef excursions offer introductory dives, a 'hand-held' dive lasting about 40 minutes, with professional tutorage allowing first-time divers the chance to get a taste for the sport while exploring the marine wonderland.
Some of the world's biggest and best diver training facilities are found in Cairns and offer a range of certificate courses from open water to advanced and specialist diving accreditation. Training starts on land in salt-water swimming pools, then progress to the practical 3-4 day live on board finale at the reef itself.
An impressive fleet of live-aboard dive experiences are available offering specialised dive experiences including night dives, research excursions and tailored expeditions into the far reaches of the Coral Sea.
Local dive operators offer extended trips for all levels of divers, from budget/backpack
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
TAKE A REEF TRIP
If you don’t want to get into the water, these trips are perfect. You can visit the reef, islands and large floating platforms that offer attractions such as underwater observatories, glass-bottomed boats, beaches, and the like.
Down Under Dive
1800 101 319 BOOK ONLINE
SCUBA DIVING
Enjoy the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef with friendly, highly trained professional dive instructors and guides. Cairns’ best and most affordable dive courses and liveaboard trips.
Cairns Dive Centre
1800 642 591 BOOK ONLINE
WHITE-WATER RAFTING
Set in some of the world’s oldest rainforest, you will negotiate grade 3-4 rapids along the Tully river, have a great BBQ and be entertained by some of the best river guides in the world.
RnR Whitewater Rafting
1800 079 039 BOOK ONLINE
SKYDIVING
Want to get high? 14,000ft pure adrenalin guaranteed. Experience the true feeling of skydiving with one awesome, unbeatable, mad minute of freefall. It doesn’t get much better than this!
Sydney Skydivers (Cairns)
1800 805 432 BOOK ONLINE
OCEAN SAFARI
Experience an exhilarating ride to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef off the Daintree coast at Cape Tribulation. Visit two beautiful snorkel destinations and see magical marine life and coral species.
Ocean Safari
07 4098 0006 oceansafari.com
SOMEWHERE TO STAY
BHA
1800 155 353 BOOK ONLINE
CAIRNS BEACH HOUSE
1800 229 228 BOOK ONLINE
NORTH QUEENSLAND
QLD
NORTH COAST: Townsville
TROPICAL QUEENSLAND: Cape Tribulation | Port Douglas | Ca
Beautiful Cairns - the capital of Tropical Queensland!!
You can find creatures such as these down at the Great Barrier Reef.
There's no swimming in the oceans around Cairns, so the man-made lagoon was built for that need.
