How long to spend in Cairns?


How long to spend in Cairns? Honestly, a lifetime is not enough to explore and enjoy all the amazing natural wonders of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. But if you can't spend your life on holiday, we recommend at least three days in Cairns to discover the main attractions. If you have more time, great!


Is 2 days enough in Cairns?

3 days is absolutely enough time for a fun trip to Cairns! You have time to spend at least 1 day on the Great Barrier Reef, which is a must when heading this far north in Australia. You also have 1 day for a day trip to the rainforest, which is another highlight of the area.


When not to visit the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is also prone to thunderstorms and the occasional cyclone. If you want reliably good underwater visibility, summer might not be the best time as rain and storms can cause the water to become murky. It's not all bad though.


Is it easy to get around Cairns without a car?

If you plan on booking tours for your day trips, most of them include complimentary pick-up! Or if you want to rent a car, there are plenty of places to do that in Cairns. But Cairns is a very walkable city, so you should be able to get by without a car easily.


Can tourists swim in the Great Barrier Reef?

A: It is safe to swim all year round in Cairns, Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef but it is highly recommended that you wear a lycra suit when entering the water in the warmer months of November-April.


Why is Cairns so popular?

Cairns is undoubtedly the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is the worlds largest reef system comprised of over 2,900 individual reefs. Each year, people flock to the reef from around the world to swim, snorkel, and dive with the more than 1,500 marine species that call the reef home.


How expensive is Cairns?

Compared with Australia's capital cities, Cairns is a far more affordable place to buy a house, send a child to private school, use childcare and park your car! Cost-of-living estimates for Cairns come in around $1500-$2100 monthly*, far lower than capital cities and on par with other major regional centres.


Why is Port Douglas so popular?

Port Douglas is famous for being so close to some of the top attractions in Australia, from the Great Barrier Reef to the oldest rainforest in the world, Daintree Rainforest. You also have the Four Mile Beach which is almost like a tropical island.


Is it bad to swim in the Great Barrier Reef?

A: It is safe to swim all year round in Cairns, Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef but it is highly recommended that you wear a lycra suit when entering the water in the warmer months of November-April.


Is 3 nights in Port Douglas enough?

Travelers from around the globe make Port Douglas their base for experiencing the myriad outdoor adventures of North Queensland and the Northern Beaches. With three days in the relaxed town, you'll have plenty of time to explore, on land and in the sea. Here's how.


How many days is enough in Port Douglas?

How many days do you need to spend in Port Douglas? Due to the higher prices, most people will tend to stay 2 or three nights in Port Douglas. Therefore, I would suggest Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef and visiting the Daintree National Park.


When not to travel to Cairns?

Realistically between December and April it is not a great place to visit or do a Cairns campervan hire holiday. For example, extremely hot and humid monsoon season can be very unpleasant despite warm temperatures above 30°C! The cyclone season usually lasts in Cairns from November to May!


Is Cairns a walkable city?

Cairns City is known for sunny weather, warm winters, and for being the gateway to the tropics of Australia. The town itself is small, it's easy to walk around the entire city in a day, or jump on a shuttle or bus to get around.


When should you avoid the Great Barrier Reef?

Avoiding stinger season When you snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef during May to October you will avoid the peak stinger season. This is where box jellyfish and irukandji jellyfish are around. These jellyfish are around all year, they are more common during the warmer months.