Great sights in Cairns surrounds
templc74
With quite a few Cairns trips under my belt I think I've managed to cover lots of great spots and want to share with tourists looking for things to do in the area.
10 Mar 2008
based on 12 votes
Lots of things to see and do in and around Cairns (within 2 hours drive).
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Explore locations featured in this Traveler List:
Great Barrier Reef, Daintree
- Category: Perfect week or more
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Traveler type: Sightseeing, Active/Outdoors, Never been before, Repeat visitors
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Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Families with small children, Active/adventure, Tourists
- Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags: Cairns, outdoors, things to do, waterfalls
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No visit to Cairns would be complete without a day out on the Great Barrier Reef. The Agincourt Reef (where Quicksilver visits) is absolutely breathtaking, whether you go to the pontoon or on the smaller boat and visit three different sites. So much coral, so many wonderfully coloured fish. A day out on the reef is exciting and relaxing at the same time and it's an absolute must to understand this amazing ecosystem. |
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2. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
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| You can't visit Cairns without taking a trip on the Skyrail! This is experiencing the rainforest from above and it's such a totally different perspective as you're gliding over the canopy. There's stops along the way where you can get off and wander through the forest as well as learn a bit more about this fascinating environment. Not to be missed! |
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3. Barron Gorge National Park
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There's a couple of great things to do in this stunning part of the Cairns surrounds. First, go and see the Barron Falls. If there's been plenty of rain in the area these falls are out of this world. The water just roars over the edge before hitting the rocks below and the surrounding banks are pristine rainforest.
The second thing is to explore the national park by white water rafting below the falls near Lake Placid. Going down the rapids is exhilarating enough but because of the dense rainforest you truly feel like you're in the middle of nowhere...lost in a lush green paradise. |
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| Mossman Gorge is a picture perfect part of the Daintree National Park. Easily accessible by car or tour from Cairns or Port Douglas, the short walking tracks give you a great look at this truly stunning rainforest. You don't need to do this as part of a tour and in some ways are better off finding your own way there to soak up and enjoy the serenity and natural beauty of the park. |
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5. Crystal Cascades
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| The Crystal Cascades are stunning waterfalls, rapids and rock pools along a section of Freshwater Creek. There is a short walk (less than 1km) to the waterfall at the end of the track and the scenery along the way is beautiful. The rainforest literally lines the edge of the creek. While some parts aren't safe for swimming, there are two rock pools which are perfect to cool off in and both have little waterfalls feeding their crystal clear waters. The cascades are located about 20 minutes drive from Cairns centre, out past Redlynch. |
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6. Atherton Tablelands waterfall circuit
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Head to Milaa Milaa (approx. 2 hours from Cairns) because that's where the circuit starts. The circuit itself is on Theresa Creek Road and takes in three gorgeous waterfalls - Milaa Milaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Elinjaa Falls. All are beautiful but Milaa Milaa would have to be what you imagine as the perfect waterfall. A single drop, just a sheet of water, falling gracefully into a crystal clear shallow pool below, surrounded on three sides by rainforest and the other gardens of lush tropical flowering plants. It's a magical place!
Coincidentally, if you like waterfalls and you have the time there are 17 waterfalls located between Kuranda in the north (Barron Falls), Ravenshoe in the south (Millstream Falls) and Bartle Frere on the coast (Josephine Falls). |
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| Paronella Park was built in the 1930s by the "Spanish Dreamer", Jose Paronella. His dream was to build a castle in the rainforest that could be used by local residents for functions and entertainment. The park boasts far north Queensland's first hydro-electricity generator and the gardens and picnic area overlooking Mena Creek Falls are breathtakingly beautiful. |
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8. Josephine Falls
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| Josephine Falls is located at the bottom of Mt Bartle Frere, Queensland's highest mountain (1,622m). The falls are not just one but three tiers of water cascading over huge smooth granite rocks into deep rock pools below. The water is crisp and clear, and the pool at the bottom is a wonderful place to swim. It's a great spot to get away from it all and soak up the beauty of the rainforest without the crowds. |
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9. Babinda Boulders
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| The Boulders are a place of Aboriginal legend and impressive beauty. Think rushing and swirling water amongst enormous granite boulders and deep pools carved out of the rock. There is also a calm swimming hole to cool off in. |
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| The Cairns Museum is maintained by the local Historical Society is filled with interesting facts, photos, newspaper clippings and displays about the history of Cairns. It provides visitors with an overview of indigenous history, logging, the Great Barrier Reef, coffee plantations and the building of the Kuranda railway. |
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Compliment templc74
