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 Find a cruise to Cairns
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Other Australia & New Zealand Cruise Ports:
Auckland • Brisbane • Cairns • Darwin • Dunedin • Melbourne • Sydney • Wellington
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Where You're Docked
Currently, cruise ships dock at Trinity Wharf (although
a new cruise terminal has been designed though is not yet built).
Language
English.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money
The Australian dollar (worth about
$1.7 to $1 US); there are numerous ATM machines all through Cairns.
Hanging Around
Trinity Wharf is right in the heart of town. All of
Cairns' city attractions -- from shops to art galleries to restaurants --
are within walking distance.
Getting Around
In town, everything's within easy walking distance. Taxis
line up at the pier. Great Barrier Reef trips leave from the pier (you can
book them there, too). For exploring beyond Cairns, major car rental
agencies like Avis, Hertz and Thrifty all have downtown offices.
In a Nutshell
Cairns, located in northern Queensland, is primarily known
as the jumping-off point for excursions to Australia's Great Barrier Reef,
some fabulous rain forests and an excellent aboriginal museum/attraction. The
city itself is geared to tourists and very visitor-friendly.
Watch Out For
April is Cairns' rainy season, also known as "the
wet," and that's when most cruise ships visit. But the rain won't hamper
your visit -- it doesn't impact snorkeling and diving trips to the Great
Barrier Reef. For the most part just be prepared for the occasional
downpour. Another beware: If your main interest for including Cairns in your
itinerary is to snorkel or dive at one of the outer reefs, make sure you
review cruise ship itineraries carefully; some ships spend a long day (and
stay into the evening), others just a half day. You need a whole day for the
outer reef experience (though there are shorter options; see below).
Don't Miss
 The Great Barrier Reef. At 1,200 miles long and 50 miles wide (about half
the size of Texas), the Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest living
organism. Trips out to the reef are generally best taken with organized
charter companies. They basically operate in the same manner; you buy the
day package and you get roundtrip transportation on a fast catamaran, lunch
onboard and, possibly, entertainment on the way home. Snorkeling equipment
is usually provided free of charge (check with the charter of your choice if
that's important). Some recommended operators include: Ocean Spirit Cruises
(www.oceanspirit.com.au), Great Adventures (www.greatadventures.com.au), and
Quicksilver Cruises (www.quicksilver-cruises.com). Short on time? Head to
Fitzroy Island, a national park and just a 45-minute boat ride from Cairns;
the ferry departs daily at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. and again at 4 p.m., and
offers return trips at 9:30 a.m., 3 and 5 p.m.
Cairns itself. Among the highlights of this rapidly developing city include
the Esplanade, which fronts Trinity Bay and has the city's best shops. Other
attractions include the Botanic Gardens and the Cairns Regional Art Gallery.
For a relaxing day at the beach, head to the brand new Esplanade Lagoon.
It's a man-made saltwater lagoon, with a great beach (and lovely parkland)
and absolutely no waves (it's non-tidal). There are services there -- snack
bar, restrooms, lifeguards.
Take a day tour that combines three nifty experiences: a ride on Skyrail
(www.skyrail.com.au), which is a mountain lift that offers soaring views
overlooking the coastline; you ride just above the treetops of a rain forest.
At the base of the other end of the Skyrail is the Tjapukai Aboriginal
Cultural Park (www.tjapukai.com.au), which is organized into seven different
arenas that focus on everything from history to dance; you'll find a
gorgeous shop/gallery and restaurant on site as well. To return to Cairns,
ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway. While you can certainly experience these
attractions independently, it's more cost efficient to arrange to take a
tour -- book-able at the pier -- that basically just puts the different
modes of transportation into one cohesive (and convenient) day trip.
Been There, Done That
The Atherton Tablelands, about an hour west of Cairns (you'll need to rent
a car) feature an amazing -- and stunning -- diversity of natural
attractions. There are rain forests, national parks, rivers, waterfalls and
really charming villages. There's outback. The area is also a major center
for agriculture. Among the highlights include the Lake Eacham National Park
(the lake is in a volcanic crater) and historic (and charming) Yungaberra
Village. More info: www.athertontableland.com.
Daintree Rain Forest, a 90-minute drive from Cairns (and yes, you'll need
to rent a car) is stunningly beautiful and offers much in the way of
outdoorsy activities. You can go horseback riding, take river cruises or
walk through the rain forest. Daintree Village is also fun; it's got cafes
and artisan boutiques. Info:www.daintreevillage.asn.au.
Lunching
In Cairns, you can experience the quintessential nouvelle Australian
cuisine (kangaroo, crocodile, emu) at Red Ochre Grill (43 Shields Street,
Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. - late, Sunday 3 p.m. - late). For lighter
fare in glorious settings, try Perrotta's (Cairns Regional Art Gallery, 38
Abbott Street, open daily 8 a.m. - late) and the Botanic Gardens Cafe
(Collins Avenue - Edgehill, open daily 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.). Vegetarians
may want to check out Corea Corea (79 Abbott Street, open daily 10 a.m. -
late), a Korean cafe-bistro.
In Kuranda, check out The Strangled Mango (Coondoo Street, open daily from
8 a.m. ). If you're visiting on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Sunday, the
Kuranda Market (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.) is a great local scene, not to mention
fabulous for food finds.
Staying in Touch
There are numerous Internet cafes -- we've had good luck with Global Gossip
(125 Abbott Street), part of an Australian chain.
For More Information
Call Tourism Tropical North Queensland: 011-61-7-4051-3588
Cruise Critic Message Boards: Australia & New Zealand
The Independent Traveler: Australia Exchange
Photo of "Dining at the Regional Gallery" was taken by Peter Lik and appears courtesy of Tourism Queensland.
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 Shore Excursions
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