{"id":2134,"date":"2022-04-12T23:25:14","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T13:25:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tropical-delights-5-fun-things-to-do-in-cairns\/"},"modified":"2023-09-14T12:16:13","modified_gmt":"2023-09-14T02:16:13","slug":"tropical-delights-5-fun-things-to-do-in-cairns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tropical-delights-5-fun-things-to-do-in-cairns\/","title":{"rendered":"Tropical Delights: 5 Fun Things to Do in Cairns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Discover our top five things to do in Cairns and why this city should be your next Aussie adventure.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeking sun, sea and the perfect balance of laidback vibes and exhilarating adventure? Make Cairns, the buzzing capital of Tropical North Queensland, your next city break. There are many things to do in Cairns \u2013 spend long, sunny days exploring the compact CBD and bustling esplanade, go snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, or zipline over the habitat of a four-metre-long crocodile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever type of holiday you\u2019re chasing, you\u2019ll find it here. Read on to discover our top five reasons to make Cairns your next escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more:<\/strong> 5 Great Reasons to Embrace Summer in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Feel the buzz on Cairns Esplanade<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The esplanade is Cairns\u2019 central hub, where locals and visitors flock to enjoy days and nights of good food, ocean views and recreational fun. There\u2019s always something going on along this sandy stretch. For the kids, there are three fun-filled playgrounds. If you\u2019re feeling a burst of energy, there\u2019s a wide range of fitness classes on offer, from zumba to power pilates and beach volleyball. The man-made lagoon is the perfect spot to cool off (without needing to worry about stingers or crocs), plus you\u2019ll get an eyeful of free public art, including the famous Woven Fish by Brian Robinson. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"-\"
Woven Fish by Brian Robinson. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Foodies \u2013 look no further for stomach rumbling, mouthwatering dinner options. Tropical pub vibes abound at Rattle n Hum Bar & Grill<\/strong>, taste la dolce vita at Flynn\u2019s Italian by Crystalbrook<\/strong>, and enjoy sweeping views from the rooftop bar at Oak & Vine<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Launch into Tropical North Queensland adventures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cairns Marlin Marina is your springboard to dive headfirst into epic Great Barrier Reef adventures. Book a boat tour and see rainbow-bright fish and graceful sea turtles while snorkelling or diving in the crystal-clear waters. Hop aboard the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway<\/strong> for views over the lush canopy of the World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforest. Chase waterfalls at the Waterfall Circuit and catch sublime views of\u202fMillaa Millaa Falls and Zillie Falls (pack a picnic and your swimmers for this). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"-\"
Millaa Millaa Falls. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

See eye-to-eye with a great crocodile during an exciting feeding show at Hartley\u2019s Crocodile Adventures,\u202fwhere Queensland\u2019s critters, both great and small, reside \u2013 alongside the crocs, you\u2019ll also find cute koalas and wombats here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Fun for the young and young at heart at Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"-\"
Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome. Image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no short supply of fun things to do in Cairns. If you\u2019re after exhilarating adventure and incredible wildlife encounters, Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome<\/strong> is your go-to spot. Staking the title as the world\u2019s first challenge ropes course in a wildlife park, this is the place where you can zipline over a lagoon while the resident four-metre croc naps below, cuddle a koala, admire the best views of Cairns CBD from the Dome Climb and test your fitness with a challenging ropes course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4, Follow the scent of fabulous food and wine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Specialty coffee roasters. Farm-fresh local produce. Catch of the day. Fine dining. You\u2019ll hear these words thrown around frequently on the culinary scenes of Cairns. Foodies won\u2019t be disappointed with a trip to this tropical city, where there\u2019s a restaurant to suit every tastebud. Peruse the colourful produce at the iconic Rusty\u2019s weekend market <\/strong>where you can unearth treasures like unusual fruits, artisan bread, coffee and organic meats as well as international foods, jewellery and clothing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"-\"
Rusty’s weekend market. Image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For native Australian fare, head to Ochre Restaurant<\/strong>. This waterfront spot offers an intriguing menu featuring the likes of wattle seed damper, salt and native pepper leaf crocodile and prawns, and chargrilled kangaroo sirloin. Salt House<\/strong> boasts pristine marine views thanks to its waterfront location, best enjoyed with a dozen fresh oysters and a glass of bubbly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Find accommodation to suit every traveller<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re setting off on a fun-filled family holiday or are looking to ramp up the romance on a luxe trip for two, there\u2019s a hotel or resort to match your vibe. For a relaxed waterfront escape with home-away-from-home, apartment-style living, stay at Jack & Newell Holiday Apartments<\/strong><\/a>. Here, you\u2019ll find 15 beautifully designed apartments with fully equipped kitchens and laundries, plus a shared sparkling pool area, BBQ facilities and a gym. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"-\"
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For five-star glamour, opt for a stay at Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns<\/strong>,<\/a> a resort right on the water. First-class facilities include a lagoon-style pool, health club with state-of-the-art equipment and the renowned The Backyard Restaurant, overlooking the waterfront.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning a trip?<\/strong> Discover our collection of Cairns escapes<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more:<\/strong> Gold Coast to Cape Tribulation: A Guide to Queensland\u2019s Best Beaches<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Discover our top five things to do in Cairns and why this city should be your next Aussie adventure. Seeking sun, sea and the perfect balance of laidback vibes and exhilarating adventure? Make Cairns, the buzzing capital of Tropical North Queensland, your next city break. There are many things to do in Cairns \u2013 spend […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":409,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,18],"tags":[33,17,7,13],"location":[],"customertype":[],"class_list":["post-2134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australia","category-queensland","tag-accommodation","tag-family-friendly","tag-food-wine","tag-outdoor-adventure"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/shutterstock_510503194-e1649747363577.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"lux_id":2134,"lux_link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tropical-delights-5-fun-things-to-do-in-cairns\/","lux_title":"Tropical Delights: 5 Fun Things to Do in Cairns","lux_excerpt":"Discover our top five things to do in Cairns and why this city should be your next Aussie adventure. Seeking sun, sea and the perfect balance of laidback vibes and exhilarating adventure? Make Cairns, the buzzing capital of Tropical North Queensland, your next city break. There are many things to do in Cairns \u2013 spend [\u2026]","lux_excerpt_trimmed":"Discover our top five things to do in Cairns and why this city should be your next Aussie adventure. Seeking sun, sea and the perfect balance of laidback vibes and","lux_image_url":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/shutterstock_510503194-e1649747363577.jpg","lux_image_url_medium":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/shutterstock_510503194-e1649747363577-350x233.jpg","lux_image_url_large":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/shutterstock_510503194-e1649747363577-1024x683.jpg","lux_image_url_square":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/shutterstock_510503194-e1649747363577-500x500.jpg","lux_categories":[{"label":"Australia","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/destinations\/australia\/"},{"label":"Queensland","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/destinations\/australia\/queensland\/"}],"lux_tags":[{"label":"Accommodation","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/accommodation\/"},{"label":"Family Friendly","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/family-friendly\/"},{"label":"Food & Wine","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/food-wine\/"},{"label":"Outdoor & Adventure","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/outdoor-adventure\/"}],"lux_locations":[],"lux_customer_types":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2134"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2134\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2134"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=2134"},{"taxonomy":"customertype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/customertype?post=2134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}