The Australian winter is the perfect time to discover Cairns. The tropical city and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef provided respite to our family recently as cold descended on our hometown of Melbourne. We spent a glorious week staying in Cairn’s Wharf precinct and enjoying the investment local council and business have made making the precinct family friendly.
There are some specific drawcards to the Cairns Wharf Precinct:
Gorgeous views of the Trinity Inlet.
From our hotel room in the Cairns Harbour lights we enjoyed the most spectacular sunrises (my kids wake early when we travel) over the Cairns Marina and Trinity Inlet. The kids waved at incoming cruise ships and wondered where there next port was. Sea breezes, luxury yachts and waterside strolls are the name of the game.
Trinity Inlet
The Cairns Lagoon.
Although the Trinity Inlet is spectacular it isn’t suitable for swimming (unless you want to become lunch for a croc). The Cairns Lagoon is a salt water lagoon pool with imported silky sand. Perfect for families it is free, patrolled by life-guards and open every day of the year. On weekends there are often concerts right next to the Cairns Lagoon.
Playing in the shallows of Cairns Lagoon
The Figtree Playground
This ingenious playground is constructed around a giant Morton Bay Figtree. Reminiscent of a tree house it is an uncrowded location for imaginative play. It is however not fenced, and being close to the wharf means you must supervise your young children closely at all times.
Figtree Playground Cairns
Launch to the Great Barrier Reef
A trip to the Great Barrier Reef is a long day for kids and staying in the Wharf Precinct, where most reef vessels depart from makes the day a little more manageable for families. Vessels depart the various wharfs to visit the Outer Reef, Green Island and Fitzroy Island. All are amazing experiences for the entire family
Green Island – an easy day trip launch from the Cairns Wharf Precinct
Waterside Dining
The best antidote to my deplorable case of winteritis was tropical waterfront dining. My own tips for dining in the Cairns Wharf Precinct include eating fresh seafood straight off the trawler and Mondos Café Bar and Grill that has family entertainment on Tuesdays.
Fresh seafood straight off the boat in the Cairns Wharf Precinct
Stay: We stayed at the Cairns Harbour Lights Hotel. The Cairns Harbour Lights offers apartment accommodation and is gorgeous.
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Disclaimer: We stayed at the Cairns Harbour Lights on media rates.
Gorgeous spot! We’ve spent lots of time in Oz but never this far north. I must add it too my list for next year. We’re going to be in Australia from about March for a wedding so will turn it into a big trip.
Bethaney – March is a wonderful time around much of Australia. I do hope you make it to northern Queensland – it is a stunning part of the country.
I like this beautiful place thanks
That looks so lovely! And you say that was winter for Australia? Well, I guess right there any time is probably a good time to visit. I have to pin it to my Australia board!
Thanks Jolanta. We are freezing in winter at our home down south in Melbourne but northern Australia is glorious in winter. The best time of year up there.
Just beautiful! We MUST get over there soon! My kids could spend hours in the Figtree Playground. That looks so fun!
Beth yes it is lovely. Figtrees are gorgeous trees for kids to climb in and play even without a playground – with a playground they are the best.
I really wish Australia was closer because these places all look amazing. The Figtree Playground and the different reefs would all be something our kids would love to explore. Here’s hoping to some day soon!
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