Best Things To Do On Cairns Mainland With Kids
With an array of awesome family-friendly trips, sights and activities, Cairns is a natural playground perfect for your next getaway with the kids! And, you don’t even have to spend a cent or leave the mainland. Home to the sprawling city centre, the gorgeous Atherton Tablelands, countless charming townships, the ancient Daintree, Cape Tribulation and an array of fantastic public facilities, explore Cairns with your tribe this vacation. Here are our favourite things to do with kids and the family that will keep the vibes high and the costs low!
Beaches & inland swimming spots for kids
The undeniable best free thing to do in Cairns for families is swimming! Escape to beautiful sandy shore beaches lined with swaying palm trees or explore waterfalls and amazing waterholes will keep the kids in adventure mode all day long. All the while, parents can relax with a picnic set up and enjoy peaceful arvos in tropical heaven!
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Palm Cove - Ellis Beach
Just 20 mins away from Cairns centre, Palm Cove is one of Cairns’ most iconic beach towns. The idyllic seaside town is located between Cairns and Port Douglas and offers a great place to swim, shop and fine dine. This quiet beach is located just five minutes north of Palm Cove, and the picture-perfect scene boasts tranquil waters and magnificent backdrops of coastal ranges.
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Josephine Falls
Ranked amongst some of the most stunning waterfall collections in Tropical North Queensland, visitors can enjoy a really refreshing swimming hole with crystal clear waters at Josephine Falls. Relax on the sandy beach surrounded by a lush green jungle at this unique natural wonder while you soak up the tranquil sounds of birds and rushing water!
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Tablelands Waterfall Circuit
The perfect day trip for families with cars, take a scenic country drive while you stop at incredible waterfalls and swimming holes. Explore the iconic Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls, all of which are easily accessible by families and perfect for a nature day and interesting local heritage. Make sure to check out the 500-year-old curtain fig tree, go wildlife spotting and indulge in local food at Gallo dairyland for lunch!
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Mossman Gorge
When in Cairns with kids you can’t miss a visit to the beautiful Mossman Gorge. It is just over an hour from Cairns, 80km north, and well worth the trip. Located in the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park, the world’s oldest rainforest, explore some of the 56,000 hectares of tropical beauty and beautiful flora and fauna. It is the perfect family day out for kids, with cultural Dreamtime walks, self-guided hikes and plentiful swimming opportunities in the crystal-clear waters over large granite boulders.
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Babinda Boulders
Head to Babinda Boulders for beautiful, blue and dazzling waters perfect for swimming or cooling off, surrounded by lush vibrant rainforest and unique rock formations. Approximately 65 kilometres from Cairns, this hidden gem is totally worth the journey! The area is made up of fast-flowing creeks lined with huge granite boulders. Clear freshwater streams fill large pools of mountain water, providing the perfect area for an afternoon swim to combat Far North Queensland's tropical heat.
City Activities
Staying in the city and want to explore all of the family-friendly events and spots at your fingertips? Luckily, Cairns City is laden with awesome free facilities and tropical wonders! From swimming to wildlife experiences, there is so much to do with the kids that everyone will love!
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Esplanade Lagoon
Spend a few hours relaxing and soaking up some sun by Cairns’ iconic Lagoon, a free and endlessly relaxing watering hole. This popular swimming facility is located along the Cairns Esplanade in the heart of the CBD. As well as cool, clean water for swimming, the site provides excellent barbecue facilities in the surrounding park grounds where locals like to lay out a picnic and have a family sausage sizzle!
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Cairns Aquarium
One of Australia’s newest and most spectacular aquariums, the Cairns Aquarium is centrally located and just a short stroll from the esplanade. An educational and fun experience for the whole family with an emphasis on showcasing stunning aquatic wildlife from Far North Queensland’s reefs and rainforests, explore the Great Barrier Reef while keeping dry with the family this holiday. Animal presentations and habitat talks throughout the day will give you the chance to learn everything there is to know about the reef’s underwater world while keeping the kids entertained and amazed!
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Muddys Playground
By far the best playground in Cairns and a must-do with kids, head down to this colourful and family-built space. The playground area on the Esplanade is packed with epic water play, there is something for everyone and it can provide enough fun for a day of play… absolutely free! Muddy’s Café is highly recommended and is sure to be a hit with younger kids.
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Zoom and Wildlife Dome
One of the best zoos in Australia, located right in the heart of the CBD on the top floor of the casino hotel, Zoom and Wildlife Dome is bound to keep parents and kids entertained! This must-see attraction offers rope courses and ziplines, interactive wildlife presentations for the whole family and the opportunity for animal encounters. Wander the wildlife park to spot an abundance of Australian wildlife, including koalas, cockatoos, snakes, crocodiles and different bird species flying overhead. Do not miss the feeding show with the crocodile, it’s sure to make you gasp!
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Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
An authentic and rich tour of Indigenous Australia, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park will illuminate the interesting and important history of the area’s First Nations history. Learn and experience the wonders of the local Indigenous culture through dance, live shows, food, art and interactive presentations.
Where to eat with kids in Cairns
Looking for a bite to eat with your kids in Cairns? There is an array of great spots in the City Centre that feature a relaxed dining atmosphere perfect for family dining. From colourful markets (bound to attract some “Mummmm… can I have some lollies?”) and playground cafes that give parents some peace and quiet, eat-out in Cairns with the family stress-free!
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Cairns Night Markets
Based in the heart of the city centre, featuring over seventy retail outlets and home to a vast selection of restaurants and cafes, head down to Cairns Night Markets for a fun evening with the kids! Enjoy cuisines from all over the world, as you enjoy cheap market food but don’t sacrifice flavour!
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Muddy’s Café
The best cafe for a relaxed meal, fruity juice and delicious coffee sitting in the heart of Cairns’ largest playground is undeniably Muddy's Cafe. They are not only known for the playground but for their delicious food as well. This spot’s the best restaurant for kids, hands down, so kick back and enjoy at Muddy’s.
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Cazalys Sports Club
The perfect place for a meal and some pre-dinner play, offering a wide variety of Aussie favourites and a kid’s menu. Let the kids loose at the Kids Club House indoor play centre, where the kids will have a great time playing console games or watching their favourite movies. Did someone say it’s parent wine time?
