A Fun 5 Days in Cairns Itinerary
If you’re wondering what to do with 5 days in Cairns, you’ll be spoilt for choice. This Cairns itinerary blends adventure and relaxation with incredible reef and rainforest activities.
Cairns is the gateway to Australia’s stunning Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Daintree Rainforest. The regional city in far north Queensland is packed with amazing things to do, and it’s the perfect base for an unforgettable tropical adventure.
With 5 days in Cairns, you can enjoy the city’s laid-back waterfront, spend a day snorkelling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef, relax on a gorgeous tropical island, explore ancient rainforests and waterfalls, discover the wild beauty of the Daintree and see crocodiles in their natural habitat.
I spent my holidays travelling solo through far north Queensland and fell in love with Cairns. My Cairns travel itinerary is ideal for solo travellers exploring at their own pace, covering all the must-see highlights along with a few of my personal favourites.
It’s packed with the best things to see and do, plus plenty of options, so you can shape a holiday that’s fun, relaxing, and perfectly tailored to you.
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Is Cairns Worth Visiting?
Cairns is definitely worth visiting. In fact, it’s one of my favourite places to travel in Australia. There are so many amazing things to see and do in Cairns.
Home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Great Barrier and the Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is a must-see destination, and let’s face it, who doesn’t want to hang out in a tropical paradise?
Cairns Attractions Map
5 Days in Cairns Itinerary
Day 1: Cairns City
Day one of my Cairns trip itinerary eases you into the city, and I recommend starting with a walk to get your bearings.
The Cairns Esplanade isa great place to begin. This scenic waterfront pathway is lined with palm trees, and it’s the perfect place for a stroll. Stop for a swim at the Lagoon and wander around past the helicopter pad to Marlin Wharf.
The Cairns waterfront area has beautiful views with distant mountains and boats moored on the water and it’s a lovely place to stop for a meal or a coffee at one of the waterfront restaurants.
Other fun Cairns activities to add to a Cairns Australia itinerary include visiting the Cairns Aquarium for a preview of the local marine life on the Reef, the Cairns Museum to learn more about the city, or the Botanical Gardens for a stunning display of tropical plants, the best in Australia.
If you want to relax on the beach, you’ll need to head out of town. Palm Cove, Ellis, Beach, Trinity Beach, Kewarra and Machans Beach are all located just outside the city.
And if you enjoy street food like I do, make your way to the Cairns Night Market on Abbott Street. It’s open from 4:30 pm and there are more than 70 different stalls to browse. It’s an enjoyable way to spend an evening alone in Cairns.
Day 2: The Great Barrier Reef
Exploring the incredible Great Barrier Reef is a highlight of a Cairns 5 day itinerary. To get to the outer reef, you’ll need to book a boat tripto take you to the best snorkel and dive sites near Cairns.
Snorkelling on the reef, I saw vibrant coral gardens, colourful tropical fish, reef sharks, giant clams, turtles, and so much more. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the magical underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef.
Day 3: Cairns Tropical Island Escape
On the third day of your 5 days in Cairns, I suggest spending the day relaxing on a gorgeous tropical island on the Great Barrier Reef. Either Green Island or Fitzroy Island are an easy day trip from Cairns, and I loved visiting both these islands.
But if I had to choose, Fitzroy Island would be my pick. It’s a larger island with a National Park filled with hiking trails, secluded beaches, and stunning viewpoints.
But Green Island is also stunning, and I had an incredible experience.
I booked a fly and cruise package to Green Island and absolutely loved it! The tour combined a 40-minute reef flight in a small plane with a snorkelling trip to the island. The aerial views of the reef and the island were amazing, and I enjoyed the relaxing tropical island experience. It was a superb day out in Cairns.
Ferries to both islands depart from the Cairns Wharf, and a day trip gives you plenty of time to relax on the beach, swim, snorkel, and explore the walking trails at your own pace.
NOTE*** I paid for all my tours in Cairns, and I’m under no obligation to write a review. As usual, the opinions expressed here are my own. I had a great time, and I wanted to share it with you.
Day 4: Rainforest Day Trip
On day 4 of my 5 days in Cairns trip, we head inland to the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforests in the Cairns hinterland. But time is limited, and you’ll have to choose between the Daintree Rainforest and Kuranda.
I enjoyed visiting both these ancient UNESCO World heritage rainforests and I can recommend either as a great addition to a Cairns itinerary, but they offer a different experience.
If you need help deciding, the untouched wilderness of the Daintree wins for me although I did enjoy the day trip to Kuranda Village.
Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge
The Daintree Rainforest is an incredible place to visit. Highlights include exploring stunning Mossman Gorge and taking a wildlife cruise on the crocodile-infested Daintree River to see saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitat.
In the afternoon, we walked on the beach at beautiful Cape Tribulation, where the reef meets the rainforest, and stopped at a spectacular viewpoint at Alexandra Lookout.
I booked with Cairns Adventure Tours and can happily recommend this Daintree day trip for solo travellers and those without their own transport.
The Daintree is the world’s oldest low-lying tropical rainforest, and this unique wilderness area should not be missed on aCairns travel itinerary,but be prepared for a verylong day with a lot of driving.
Kuranda Cableway and Scenic Railway
Visiting the rainforest village of Kuranda is another great addition to a Cairns trip itinerary. It’s closer and easier to get to than the Daintree, and it’s also one of the top things to do in Cairns, with good reason. The dramatic cliffs, deep forested valleys, and waterfalls are truly spectacular.
Gliding over the rainforest canopy on the Skyrail Cableway and returning to Cairns on the Kuranda Scenic Railway is a fun way to spend a day.
Kuranda Village is a pretty little rainforest town, famous for its relaxed atmosphere, colourful markets, cafés, restaurants, and pubs. I spent the day wandering around the town, browsing local craft markets, and walking in the rainforest that surrounds the village.
But you can also visit the Bird Park and the Koala Gardens, one of the few places in Australia where you can hold a koala.
My favourite part of the day was the return journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. The heritage train winds through lush rainforest and past dramatic viewpoints, while the onboard commentary shares the fascinating story behind the railway’s construction.
I booked my Skyrail Cableway and Scenic Railway tickets online, and I suggest booking in advance as tickets often sell out during peak season.
Day 5: Port Douglas or The Atherton Tablelands
On the last day of my Cairns travel itinerary, I spent the day relaxing in beautiful Port Douglas, but taking a day trip to the lovely Atherton Tablelands to explore the pristine forests, lakes, and waterfalls is another option.
Port Douglas
Port Douglas is a pretty little seaside town just over an hour by road from Cairns, and I caught the Port Douglas shuttle bus and was dropped off in the town centre.
I spent a morning in the lovely Low Isles snorkelling the reef with endangered sea turtles and giant clams just metres from the beach.
You can easily spend a day relaxing on the beach and exploring the wharf and viewpoints in Port Douglas. I enjoyed wandering around the town, browsing the boutique shops, restaurants and cafes.
Port Douglas is also just 20 minutes away from the beautiful Mossman Gorge with swimming spots and rainforest walking trails.
Atherton Tablelands
Visiting the Atherton Tablelands just outside Cairns is another great option for the last day of this Cairns travel itinerary.
The popular Cairns Waterfalls tour in the beautiful Atherton Tablelands is a good choice, and you’ll see the highlights of the area: the awe-inspiring Cathedral Fig Tree, Lake Eacham, Josephine Falls and stunning Millaa Millaa Falls, one of Australia’s most photographed waterfalls.
More Activities for a Cairns Itinerary
Chill Out on the Beach
Cairns has a selection of lovely tropical beaches, but you’ll need to head out of town to find sand and sea. Palm Cove is a famous beachside resort town about 30 minutes north of Cairns. And Ellis, Beach, Trinity Beach, Kewarra and Machans Beach are all located just outside the city.
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel Tour
Spend a day on the Great Barrier Reef and learn about indigenous culture on a Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel tourfrom Cairns. Snorkel over coral gardens with anemones, sea whips and clams. Visit two unique reef sites where turtles, rays and sharks are frequently seen alongside a wide variety of colourful fish on the outer reef.
Some more activities that you can include on a Cairns itinerary are:
- Hot Airballooning in the Atherton Tablelands
- White water Rafting in Barron Gorge
- Sky diving
- Paddleboarding
- Visiting Paronella Park
Where to Eat in Cairns
With 5 days in Cairns there’s plenty of time to explore the city and enjoy a variety of restaurants, pubs and street food. Here are some suggestions:
- For old-world charm in a heritage-listed building and fabulous water views, Hemingways Brewery on Cairns Wharf is a favourite place for a craft beer and a bistro meal.
- If you love street food like I do, Cairns Night Market is another favourite spot for a casual meal. The atmosphere is vibrant with live entertainment and more than 70 stalls to browse.
- And if you’re looking for an upmarket seafood meal with a stunning location, Head to the Salt House or Dundees on the Waterfront.
Where to Stay in Cairns
Cairns has accommodation for all budgets with less expensive options than nearby Port Douglas. Here are some suggestions for a Cairns itinerary.
Budget: I stayed at the Travellers Oasis and would stay again. This friendly hostel has a lovely garden and a pool. The location beside the train station is perfect for visiting Kuranda, but it’s about a 20-minute walk from the ferry wharf. My private room was very cosy. It had an in-room safe with a shared bathroom.
Mid-Range: The Coral Tree Inn gets exceptional reviews. It’s located in the city centre, about a 15-minute walk from the waterfront. It’s a friendly, quiet, clean hotel and a good mid-range choice for a Cairns travel itinerary.
Luxury: The Hilton Cairns is a 5-star hotel in the centre of town, right on the waterfront, close to attractions and a selection of dining options. You can’t beat the location of this popular luxury hotel near the ferry wharf and the Esplanade.
Enjoy an overnight stay on a tropical island at the luxurious Green Island Resort or the Fitzroy Island Resort. Both islands are easily accessible from Cairns by ferry.
How to Get to Cairns
Flying is the quickest and easiest way to reach Cairns in far north Queensland. Cairns sits a long way north of Brisbane, so travelling overland by car, train, or bus involves very long distances.
Flying to Cairns
Cairns has an international airport with daily flights from major Australian cities and several overseas destinations, making it the most convenient way to arrive.
Driving to Cairns
Cairns is about 1,700 km from Brisbane and 2,400 km from Sydney. It’s a very long drive. If you’re short on time, it’s best to fly and hire a car at the airport.
Train to Cairns
The rail journey from Brisbane takes around 24 hours. The Spirit of Queensland runs five times a week and offers a comfortable, scenic way to travel.
Bus to Cairns
The bus from Brisbane takes roughly 29 hours and is the cheapest option. Premier and Greyhound operate regular services connecting Cairns with Brisbane and major regional towns along the route.
TIP: If you’re travelling by car, train or bus from Brisbane, consider stopping off en route and exploring other places in Queensland like the Whitsundays or Magnetic Island before starting this Cairns itinerary.
Best time of Year to Visit Cairns
Cairns is most popular from June to October, when warm, dry winter weather brings sunny days around 26°C (79°F) and balmy water perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
The shoulder seasons (April–May and September–October) are also great, with fewer crowds and cheaper flights.
Summer (December–February) is hot, humid, and wet. It’s also stinger season, when dangerous Irukandji and Box Jellyfish are in the water, so Lycra stinger suits are essential for swimming and snorkelling on the reef.
How many days in Cairns is enough?
Cairns offers adventure and relaxation. It’s a beautiful part of Australia and there ‘s so much to see and do I suggest spending as long as you can. Even if you only have a few days you’ll get a taste of the Great Barrier Reef.
But, as you can see from my Cairns trip itinerary there’s no shortage of fun things to do and its easy to spend 5 days in Cairns. I could happily spend a week or two and still find things to.
Is it better to stay in Cairns or Port Douglas?
Whether Cairns or Port Douglas is better depends onwhat you’re looking for. Cairns is a regional city while Port Douglas is a small coastal town on the edge of the rainforest.
Both Cairns and Port Douglas offer easy access to the Great Barrier Reef but Port Douglas has beautiful beaches, great cafes, restaurants and shops. It’s better for a beach holiday and for nature lovers while Cairns has the amenities of a regional city, an airport and more budget accommodation.
Port Douglas is close to Mossman Gorge and the Daintree Rainforest but has no public transport. A shuttle bus connect Port Douglas with Cairns and this makes it harder to get around if you don’t have a car.
Cairns on the other hand has all the services and conveniences you need for a comfortable holiday.
Cairns Itinerary Extension
If you have a few extra days extending this Cairns 5 day itinerary to include a visit to magical Magnetic Island near Townsville is worthwhile. You can see koalas and rock wallabies in their natural habitat on Magnetic Island, and I also suggest stopping off at Mission Beach if you have the time.
You might also enjoy…
Gorgeous Green Island Day Trip from Cairns
13 Best Things to Do in Cairns for Solo Travellers
10 Fun Things to Do on Fitzroy Island
Swimming with Turtles in the Lovely Low Isles
Green Island or Fitzroy Island – Which is Better?
Visiting the Delightful Daintree Rainforest
15 Best Reasons to Visit Brisbane in Australia
17 Best Things to Do in Sydney Alone
15 Top Tips for a Stop Over in Dubai
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