What are some good places to go in Cairns, Queensland??

Answer 1

Hi there - I live in Cairns and quite often take my family and mates that visit me from overseas to the following places .... so it gives them an overall feel of Carins.......
http://www.welcometocairns.com.au is a great website to view on everything 'Carins'.

Obviously top of the list is going out on the Great Barrier Reef -
Main ones are :: http://www.greatadventures.com.au and http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com
Also for something different do the http://www.scubadoocairns.com or http://www.seawalker.com.au
A day trip out to Green island is great and very safe for your kids. Otherwise you can go out on the Outer Barrier Reef on their platform for lunch.
Most 'tourism' operators will do pick ups from your accommodation.

Cable Skiing Water Park is new to Cairns -
http://www.cableskicairns.com.au (right next door to Aboriginal Culture Park and the Skyrail)

http://www.paronellapark.com.au is worth the short drive out of Cairns

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

A trip to the Aboriginal Culture Park http://www.tjapukai.com.au (they also do a great night show) and on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. http://www.skyrail.com.au
(same car park, right next door to each other)

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

You must do a bungy jump while here - http://ajhackett.com.au

Cairns Zoo - http://www.wildworld.com.au
Hartley's Creek Crocodile Farm - http://www.crocodileadventures.com and the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve - http://www.cairnswildlifesafarireserve.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

Also every Saturday on the Cairns Esplanade is market day, a showcase of local quality stalls as well as local entertainment artists as they showcase their talent. - Worth going .. then spending the rest of the day at the lagoon there.

Have fun on what ever you decide!!

Answer 2

K Bear gave a really great answer but he missed a couple of things...

There is no need to do the ocean things. We did all of these things because I get so badly sea-sick!

Quad Bike (All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)) Riding or Horse Riding with Blazing Saddles - we did the ATV - fantastic!

White water rafting - believe it or not!

Hot Air Ballooning - yep no motion sickness here either

Sea Kayaking - not bad at all

4WD touring through the Atherton Tablelands and Outback- this was fun

Hope this helps to expand your options

Have fun