This friendly Queensland city of 130,000 is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree National Park, Cape Tribulation, Cooktown and the rest of Cape York Peninsula. Within the city, several attractions stand out, including Rainforestation Nature Park, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and Skyrail Cableway. Eco-adventures, food trail tours, cultural encounters and adrenalin-pumping adventures are all on the itinerary. Even December through April’s monsoon season can’t dampen Cairns’ delights.