going to cairns, australia in feb...?

Question

hello... we r off to queensland for 10 days at the begining of feb...( a competition prize from a magazine) anybody got any tips/advice/suggestions for me? i would appreciate it. thank u, rebecca x

Answer 1

Congrats on your prize - wish I could win a trip !
Anyhow I live here so here's my 'guide' on what to do.
some family came over from NZ last year and I took them everywhere mentioned.

Obviously top of the list is going out on the Great Barrier Reef -One day trip - A trip out on the reef to Green Island - http://www.greatadventures.com.au or http://www.greenisland.com.au
or right out on the Outer Reef Activity Platform - with buffet lunch - well worth it !
About Green Island here - http://www.greenislandresort.com.au
You can snorkel out on the reef, take a glass bottom boat, do the scoobdo - http://www.scubadoocairns.com or seawalker http://www.seawalker.com.au - all great experiences there is half day trips or full day.

Cable Skiing Water Park is new to Cairns -
http://www.cableskicairns.com.au

Parnonella Park - http://www.paronellapark.com.au

Daintree Discovery Centre - http://www.daintree-rec.com.au

A trip to the Aboriginal Culture Park http://www.tjapukai.com.au and on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. http://www.skyrail.com.au
(same car park, right next door to each other - also Cable Ski is right next door)

The skyrail takes you up to the rainforest village of Kuranda. http://www.kuranda.org - or take the skyrail up one way and train back down to the city. Kuranda Scenic Railway http://www.ksr.qr.com.au

See a croc right on top of the casino in the city - http://www.cairnsdome.com.au

Hartley's Creek Crocodile Farm - http://www.crocodileadventures.com

Spend time in Cairns City at the Esplanade swimming and sunbaking by the lagoon Cairns Esplanade http://www.cairnsesplanade.com you are spoilt for choice of restaurants on the main strip there also. Cairns Central Mall is a 10 min walk from the Esplanade for shopping in the air condition – believe me, you’ll need it.

There is a small tropical Zoo here – worth going to see ALL Australian animals. - http://www.wildworld-aus.com.au

Port Douglas is about a 50 min drive from Cairns city – worth it for the scenery.
http://www.portdouglaseguide.com or http://www.vcentres.com.au/port-douglas

Other things to see in Cairns
http://www.tropicalaustralia.com.au/things_to_do_and_see
http://www.cairnsvisitorcentre.com
http://www.cairnsattractions.com/index.html

Have fun on what ever you decide.

Answer 2

We've just come back from Australia and spent a week in Cairns, its a beautiful place with really friendly people, there are tons of trips to do whilst your there, they work out about $100 Australian dollars each and are really good value, you have to go to the great barrier reef while you there its just amazing and try and do the rain forest in the huge 4x4 buses that they have up there, that's a brilliant day out, the sky train and Kuranda are amazing too as is the afternoon to the crocodile and koala centre, the best place to eat is the esplanade or the pier, lots of choices for restaurants and cafes at both those places and not very expensive either, we did 4 trips and ate out at breakfast and evening everyday and spent $800 for the pair of us which was really good value, shop around for novelties though as the shops on the front tend to be more pricey but still have fab stuff to tempt you with, I am sure you will have a fantastic time in Cairns and wish I was going back myself, well done on winning your prize and have an amazing time.

Answer 3

10 days is plenty of time to go to Cairns and see the wonderful sights in Feb the humidity might be a little high as you will be going in Summer changing into Autumn but it is generally hot sunny days in Cairns. You will absolutely love it. My then boyfriend took me to Cairns as a birthday present for 4 days which was not enough, we loved it so much we got married on the Great Barrier Reef! We were there for one week and had our friends there and had the best time of our lives. Besides the Great Barrier Reef (we used Magic Reef cruises both times) we also went to the Daintree Rainforest via the Skyway which is a cable car that takes you over the tops of the trees, then to Port Douglas and the Crocodile Farm. Unfortunately it is a really long drive to Australia Zoo so you might be unable to do that. However just as an idea, if you know where you are staying send them and email and ask them to send you some pamphlets to your home address of all the attractions in Cairns. The people that we were staying with were that lovely that they sent it to us before we arrived and since school holidays would have just ended, you can book and budget for most of the things you would like to do. They have unusual wildlife in Cairns and it will be the best time. Enjoy.

Answer 4

Get yourself out diving on the Barrier Reef. It's an outstanding experience and you will never forget it.
Two things. Best to be open water diver qualified either with PADI or UKSAC. Both are recognised worldwide. And get a waterproof camera. You will seriously regret it if you do not take a camera.
There are mangrove swamps along the coast that do attract some boat trips, if looking at trees with their feet in the water is your thing.
Have fun in Cairns. It's a proper blast. If you fancy getting mortally drunk, there's plenty of stereotypical Aussie places. Cairns will be full of Brit backpackers, and loads of them will be in the Fox and Firkin and the Woolshed (assuming both are still there since I was there five years ago!).
And of course, being Australia, it won't be hard to find things to do outdoors.
If you don't enjoy Cairns, you're too much of a city person. It's a reasonable size of place, but the attitudes aren't big city.
I loved it.
I'm sure you will too.

Answer 5

Take your umbrella, it's the wet season. Cairns in February has an average of 448.5mm on 19 days. There is also the chance of getting a tropical cyclone. Beach swimming is out because of box jellyfish and roads to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation could be impassable. There will still be plenty to do and see, the Great Barrier Reef and the Atherton Tablelands are still there and there will be far fewer tourists than in the dry season so you should meet more locals.

Just be prepared to get wet. One good thing, the rain is warm. The average maximum temperature is 31.2°C while the minimum is 23.7°C. You won't need sweaters or jackets.

Answer 6

Its very humid there too. It is a wet heat. So make sure your car and unit both have good air con.
It is beautiful to see the low cloud on the mountains surrounding Cairns.
We were up there for a week in April 2005 and it was quite hot then too. Imagine 30 degrees at 7pm at night. Wow!

Remember this place. Cairns Chicken, 465 Mulgrave Road. phone [phone]
It has the best chicken out and good prices too. We found a decent place to get good value take-away dinner was a little hard, but this place wins. :D

Answer 7

Watch out for box jellyfish. If stung, vinegar should be put on affected areas. They are in the sea at that time of year and are very toxic. Usual tips about sunblock and mossie spray. Go to hostel bars/cafes for cheap alcohol in Cairns. Good places to visit are Cape Tribulation/Daintree Forest. You should go white water rafting on river Tully with Raging Thunder company based in Cairns. Kuranda skyrail, Port Douglas and of course definitely go out to the outer barrier reef. It isn't too expensive to go. Lots of companies. Visit the esplanade indoor market at night in Cairns. Have a great time.

Answer 8

congratulations. When i was in cairns I went snorkling at the great barrier reef. There are many companies that will take you out on a boat where you can either snorkle or scuba dive. There is also a rain forest nearby Cairns.
see this link http://www.kuranda.org/ This is not too far from Cairns and is worth a visit!

Answer 9

As everyone said it is wet season so it's going to be really humid and muggy. You definitely will not need a jumper in that weather. When it rains, you usually get a storm in the afternoon, so it's mostly sunny in the mornings so you can see and do heaps then. Make sure that you take mozzie repellant. They are rife at that time of year. There are a few brands that have a mozzie repellent and sunscreen all in one which is perfect for there.

http://www.pharmacyonline.com.au/aerogard-sunscreen-with-insect-repellent-lotion-125ml-p-6255.html
http://www.wellingtonsurplus.com.au/showProduct/CAMPING+-+TRAVEL/CAMPING+ACCESSORIES/MN7596/+INSECT+REPELLENT+%22BUSHMAN+PLUS%22+80%25+DEET+WITH+SUNSCREEN

Also, make sure you have enough vitamin B12 and B6 in your system as they don't like that. They also hate white or brightly coloured clothing. Stingers are everywhere in summer, but you are usually ok swimming around the islands. You can get full body stockings off ebay for about $10 ish if you are worried.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320128551971&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BID_Stores_IT&refitem=320120697584&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

They aren't as hot as a wetsuit and stop the stingers from sticking to your skin and minimise sting. If you are too worried, Cairns city have built a huge lagoon right on the esplanade which is goreous and has awesome views from it of the ocean. You actually feel like you are in the ocean anyway:

http://www.cairnsesplanade.com/z-074.html

You must go for a ride in one of the glass bottom boats. Quicksilver cruises have one of the best glass bottom boats.

http://quicksilver-cruises.com/pdf/LowIsles_07_08.pdf

They are awesome, and a trip to Cairns is wasted if you gon't go snorkelling or SCUBA diving. There are a heap of tours on this website:

http://www.tropicalexperience.com.au/cairns/522/Reef_Cruise_Cairns

Take a trip to Kuranda (the village in the rainforest) on the historic railway. It is a breathtaking ride through tunnels, past waterfalls, across bridged ravines. The Kuranda markets are really cute nestled amongst the trees.The cable car is great, as is that aerial walkway in the trees canopy

http://www.daintree-rec.com.au/centre.html#walkway

You feel like swiss family robinson. Nearby to Kuranda is Australias biggest butterfly display. Check out paronella park. It is this old castle that was built by a Spanish guy in the early 1900's (1915 I think). They are restoring it. It's so beautiful. It's a great place for weddings too. Check out the website below.

http://www.paronellapark.com.au/

If you want to go to the best beach in Cairns, the locals will tell you to go to Trinity Beach. It's only 15mins from the city:

http://www.cairns.aust.com/trinitybeach/index.asp?locid=10

If you want adventure you could try going on a bicylce tour, go white water rafting (Cairns is famous for this. You will see crocs, but no one's been eaten whilst rafting yet), hot airballooning and hiking. Check out the link below:

http://www.cairns.aust.com/directory/forms/listing.asp?searchid=8&locid=1

Cairns is really evolving as a fine dining destination too, so get ready to eat some yummy food. Have a great holiday and don't forget to wear a hat and sunnies. It's gonna be hot!

Answer 10

There's not much more to say, everyone else has told you what it's like in Cairns.
I just wanted to say have a great trip, you'll love it over here.

Just remember February is Summer here, known as the Wet Season in the Tropics. Cairns is in the Tropics. Therefore, you won't need any warm clothes at all.

February:

Seawater temperature
maximum - 28.8C/83.8F

Air temperature
maximum - 31C/87.8F
minimum - 24C/75.2