With lush rainforest covered mountains looming up from a town spread north to south along sandy beaches Cairns is my favourite place in Australia to visit with my own family. We lived there for five years when my first children were young and I take my family back as often as is possible As it’s balmy temperatures facilitate time outdoors and the countless opportunities for free nature play mean our visits to Cairns provide the perfect opportunity to unplug and unwind. The children went device free on our most recent visit without a complaint from them at all they were having such a fabulous time.
Free fun
Walking along the Cairns Esplanade
The Cairns Esplanade Precinct is a focus for free family fun. At the north end visit the Pirate Ship Playground, try your hand at bouldering near the Cairns Hospital, bike ride or scoot along the Esplanade, take the kids for water play at Muddies Playground or a swim in the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. The Fig Tree playground in the Cairns Wharf Precinct is a giant tree house themed playground . Our last visit there we met a family of Torres Strait Islanders and my kids learnt from this local family about the signs in nature to inform sting ray hunting, turtle egg collecting and how to catch crabs. An amazing cultural experience just from playing with the locals.
Trinity Beach in Cairns
Water play at Muddies Playground Cairns
Figtree Playground Cairns
Cairns Northern Beaches are patrolled and provide the perfect backdrop for kids to collect beach treasures, build sand castle, forts and of course swim. The surf is only small off the Northern Beaches but certainly big enough for young children to enjoy body boarding.
Adventure activities.
For the adrenaline junkies options include the ropes course and zip line at Cairns Wildlife Dome, waterskiing at the Cairns Wave Park or having a go on the Wave Rider at Tobruk pool in Northern Cairns.
Rainforest Swimming holes.
Crystal Cascades rainforest swimming hole
During the summer months in particular the locals head to the freshwater swimming holes to cool off. Crystal Cascades is my fave, a half an hour drive from the city centre.
Market time
Rusty’s market is open Friday — 5am to 6pm, Saturday — 5am to 6pm and Sunday — 5am to 3pm . Take the kids to pick up some unusual tropical fruit for your accommodation, drink straight out of a coconut or pick up an Asian snack from one of the food vendors. If you really want to live like a local, and you are staying in self contained accommodation pick up some stunning tropical flowers for your dining table.
Experience local Indigenous Culture.
A day at the Tjapukai Cultural Centre brings to life Dreamtime mythology of the local Indigenous people. My own children particularly enjoyed the hands on interactive elements of their time here including spear throwing. The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is an exciting event if you have the chance to attend.
Kawandji-Wimpa dancers at the the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
Met the local wildlife.
Jumping croc Hartleys Crocodile Adventures.
Hartley’s Crocodile Park provides the best safe crocodile experience close to Cairns. There are many hands on opportunities at Cairns Wildlife Dome in the CBD. If you don’t mind a drive (an hour north of Cairns) Breakfast with the Birds at Port Douglas’ Wildlife Habitat is a unique family experience that your kids will remember.
Day trips
Shaylee Strawberry Farm on the Atherton Tablelands
Catch the Skyway or drive up to rainforest township of Kuranda to visit their markets or one of the wildlife attractions at the top of the Kuranda Range.
Every time I visit the Atherton Tablelands I’m blown away by how much there is to do there with kids. Ideally I’d recommend more than just a day trip to visit this stunning part of the world however taking a whole day to explore what you can will show you a whole other aspect of Tropical Far North Queensland. Swim in the cool waters of crater Lake Eacham, pick strawberries at Shaylee Strawberry farm or catch a fish on Lake Tinaroo.
Alternatively head north of Cairns to stroll through the eons old rainforest in Mossman Gorge. The traditional owners of the Gorge charge entry to visit this natural wonderland of green plantlike and rushing waters. Upgrade your entry to include a tour conducted by the traditional owners.
Southward, pack a picnic and drive south towards Innisfail to discover a favourite freshwater swimming spot Babinda Boulders.
Swimming at Lake Eacham on the Atherton Tablelands
Visit an Island
Green Island – an easy day trip from Cairns.
Green Island with it’s turtle population and the coral beaches of Fitzroy Island are each beautiful day trips ocean adventures. Pack the sunscreen and hats because you will need them exploring each of these tropical paradises. While there is the option to overnight you can make the most of your time swimming and snorkelling the day away.
Visit the Great Barrier Reef:
Feeding fish at the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Sunlover Cruises
A number of the reef trips head out to pontoons where even kids who are too young to snorkel can play and feed fish in toddler pools. There are also pontoons that have waterslides into the ocean.
Stay:
The pool at our gorgeous Homeway rental in Trinity Beach
On our last visit we opted for to stay in a holiday house rental using website HomeAway at Trinity Beach. We couldn’t have been happier with our four bedroom house that came with a pool, garden mango tree, swing in the garden, and was kitted out with lots of extras for kids including scooters and boogie boards.
Cairns Coconut Resort is a Big 4 holiday park on the southside of Cairns with water play and waterslides, camping and cabin options.
Cairns Coconut Resort
Those staying at the upmarket Peppers Resort in Port Douglas will love the stunning sandy lagoon pool
Dine
Dining in Cairns is casual – don’t expect fine dining but do expect good quality seafood. For families with young kids fish and chips at Muddies Playground is a cheap and cheerful way to dine in the evening. The Yorkey’s Knob Sailing Club offers casual dining with water views. Paradise Palms Resort offers children use of an adventure playground, mini golf and use of the jumping pillow for a small cost which gives adults time to have a leisurely meal. Breakfast by the beach at Lunicos a Trinity Beach offers a breakfast or brunch that is as good as cafe brunch in Australia’s southern cities.
Health and Safety
There are occasional spotting of crocodiles at the Cairns beaches. Swimming only at patrolled beaches is recommended. Dangerous marine stingers are present in the waters off Cairns from October through to May so swimming only in stinger nets is recommended at these times (as well as wearing a stinger swim suit). The mosquitos that spreads dengue and zika viruses are present in tropical north Queensland. It is helpful to check in with local health authorities to see if there are any local outbreaks. Administering mosquito repellant every 4 hours is prudent. As usual, protect your family’s skin from the damaging effects of the sun by applying sunscreen every 2 hours, wearing hats and rashes when swimming.
Tips for making the most of your trip to Cairns.
Summer is the rainy season in Cairns. The best time to visit Cairns is May to October. You will get the most out of your trip if you hire a car for the duration of your visit.
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