Details About Cairns

Destinations » Australia/New Zealand » Australia » Cairns


Set in the dazzling blue waters of Trinity Bay, Cairns is ideal for big game fishing and motorized catamaran trips to the Great Barrier Reef. Sample delicious seafood at charming bay side eateries, shop for tropical goods along palm-lined streets, or take a scenic train ride to Kuranda to see a world acclaimed Aboriginal dance troupe.
Right Now
82°F
01d
clear sky
74%
Gentle Breeze North-northeast
Thursday, 10/02/2025
04n
86°F / 71
broken clouds
Friday, 10/03/2025
01n
88°F / 70
clear sky
Saturday, 10/04/2025
01n
85°F / 73
clear sky
Sunday, 10/05/2025
10n
82°F / 72
light rain
Monday, 10/06/2025
10n
82°F / 72
light rain
Tuesday, 10/07/2025
04d
81°F / 79
overcast clouds

Attractions

Although Cairns' foremost draw is as a departure point for trips to the Great Barrier Reef, take a walk around the town center for its sites of historical interest and a look at recent developments. Abbot Street boasts some imposing neo-classical buildings from the 1920s. A walk along the Esplanade offers views across the estuary to spectacular mountains covered in rain forests.

Activities

Cairns Museum - The museum features a display on the construction of the Cairns-to-Kuranda railway, the old gold fields and a collection of Aboriginal artifacts. It is housed in the 1907 School of Arts building in the center of town.

Shopping

There are many Aboriginal specialty shops in Cairns, offering a good selection of authentic handicrafts and art. On weekends, Rusty's Bazaar area becomes a busy market, selling arts and crafts and a variety of foods. Cairns boasts several modern shopping malls, such as the Pier Market Place and the massive Cairns Central, featuring upscale boutiques and souvenir shops.

Currency

The local currency used in Cairns is the Australian Dollar (AUD).

 
Click red-star to view sailings.
Cruise Line 2025
Oct		 Nov Dec 2026
Jan		 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep
Azamara -- -- -- red-star -- red-star -- -- -- -- red-star --
Carnival Cruise Line red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star
Celebrity Cruises - Ocean red-star -- red-star red-star red-star red-star -- -- -- -- -- --
Costa Cruises -- red-star red-star red-star -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Crystal Cruises -- -- -- red-star red-star -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Cunard Line -- -- -- red-star red-star red-star -- -- -- -- -- --
Holland America Line -- -- red-star red-star red-star red-star -- -- -- -- -- --
MSC Cruises -- -- -- red-star -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Norwegian Cruise Line -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- red-star --
Oceania Cruises -- red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star -- -- red-star
Ponant red-star red-star red-star -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- red-star
Princess Cruises -- red-star red-star red-star -- red-star -- -- -- -- -- --
Regent Seven Seas Cruises red-star -- red-star red-star -- red-star -- -- -- -- -- --
Royal Caribbean International -- -- red-star red-star red-star red-star -- -- -- -- -- --
Scenic Ocean Cruises red-star red-star -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Seabourn -- -- red-star -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Silversea Cruises red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star -- -- -- -- -- --
Viking Ocean Cruises -- red-star red-star red-star red-star red-star -- -- -- -- -- red-star