Destination Cairns

Five things to do

1. The Great Barrier Reef: Going to Cairns without a day out on the reef would be like going to Giza without seeing the pyramids. While there are plenty of cruises offering a day of snorkelling or scuba diving, you can opt to stay dry and observe stretches of coral reef from the comfort of a glass-bottom boat. Perfect for bigger groups or families with young kids or grandparents. If you have a bigger budget than $200 a day, you can also enjoy the reef from the sky. Helicopter cruises are available two or three times a week. There are plenty of cruises to choose from, but book early as they fill up fast. Check Google reviews, as some operators are better than others at offering refunds or rescheduling cruises due to bad weather.

Home to a protected national park, Fitzroy is a perfect weekend getaway for locals and interstate travellers. There are plenty of activities to choose from, including rainforest walking tracks to snorkelling right off the beach. It’s only a 45-minute high-speed ferry ride from Cairns