How Many Days Do You Need In Cairns?
How many days do you need in Cairns? 3-7 days is the sweet spot, though of course you could spend even longer than a week in Cairns! But most travellers don't have the luxury of unlimited time. So if you only have 2 or 3 days in Cairns, you can still have an incredible time. We're going to provide some suggestions for how to spend 2, 3, 5, or 7 days in Cairns so you can make the most of your time!
How many days do you need in Cairns?
You only need 3 days to experience the highlights of Cairns, but 5 or 7 days in Cairns is recommended. There is simply so much to do in this lush and diverse area of Tropical North Queensland! 3 days offers a nice introduction to lively city and its stunning surroundings. 3 days in Cairns would involve snorkelling along the corals of the Great Barrier Reef, exploring the world heritage listed Daintree Rainforest (the oldest living rainforest), and visiting the scenic village of Kuranda, home to the butterfly sanctuary, Birdworld and Kuranda Koala Gardens. With so much to do in Cairns, we hope to help you make the most out of your time in Cairns!
Is 2 Days Enough In Cairns?
2 days in Cairns gives you enough time to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef and either relax in town or pick another day trip. Though 2 days is a relatively short getaway, you can still have a memorable time in Cairns! Here is a suggestion for how to spend 2 days in Cairns:
- Day 1: Book a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy snorkelling or scuba diving in the pristine coral reefs that are world-famous! The reef is really a must-see in Cairns.
- Day 2: If you want a chill day in town, visit the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon for a swim and sample local produce at Rusty's Market. Or if you want to take another day trip, visit the charming and colourful mountain town of Kuranda!
Here are some of the most popular Great Barrier Reef day tours from Cairns!
How to spend 3 days in Cairns
3 days is an ideal amount of time to spend in Cairns for most travellers. You have one day to see the reef, one day to experience the rainforest, and one day to either relax or explore Kuranda. This is just a suggested itinerary so you can see as much as possible during 3 days in Cairns. But you can tailor your activities to suit your interests!
Spend 2 days on a Great Barrier Reef liveboard if you want more snorkel time, or use your third day for a day trip to Green Island if you prefer water-based activities. The choice is yours, but here is a recommended 3 day Cairns itinerary!
- Day 1: A day trip to the Great Barrier Reef should still be your #1 priority in Cairns. You can't miss this Heritage-listed natural wonder!
- Day 2: Explore some of the oldest rainforest on the planet with a day trip to the Daintree. Or head to the Atherton Tablelands to swim in waterfalls. Either way, spend day 2 in Cairns immersing yourself in the jungle.
- Day 3: Either wander around Cairns, take a day trip to Kuranda, or consider another day trip on the water with a visit to Green Island. Snorkel with turtles and go for a stunning bushwalk!
How to spend 5 days in Cairns
If you can push your 3-day Cairns adventure to 5 days, absolutely do it! 5 days in Cairns is a great amount of time to experience the Great Barrier Reef, the rainforest, and the unique wildlife and culture around Cairns. You have time to book in for an overnight tour on the reef or in the rainforest, or you can just use your extra time to explore more of the local Cairns attractions. Here is a suggested itinerary for how to spend 5 days in Cairns.
- Day 1 & Day 2: Take your Great Barrier Reef exploration to another level with a liveaboard! Spend 2 days checking out the top reef sites and even sleep on a cozy pontoon out on the reef.
- Day 3: Have a chill day in Cairns to recover from your reef trip. Walk along the Esplanade, shop at the Night Markets, and treat yourself to a nice meal at one of the local eateries.
- Day 4: Explore the Atherton Tablelands! Paddleboard on the crater lake, Lake Eacham, admire the Curtain Fig Tree, and swim in waterfalls. Or book a guided tour that takes you to all the highlights in one day!
- Day 5: Use this final day in Cairns to either explore Kuranda, visit a tropical offshore island, or take a day trip to Port Douglas! Up here you can visit the Wildlife Habitat or just meander around the cozy, laid-back streets.
How to spend 7 days in Cairns
7 days in Cairns is the ideal amount of time to submerge yourself in the beauty, nature and culture surrounding this seaside city. We recommend spending at least 7 days in Cairns, whether you are going for a family holiday, a couples' romantic vacation or a fun-filled trip with friends in tropical north Queensland. We have put together a small 7-day itinerary to give you an idea of how to fill your days in Cairns. One week in Cairns allows you to see it all!
- Day 1 & Day 2: Snorkel to your heart's content on a Great Barrier Reef liveaboard. Opt for a day trip if you want less time on the reef, or extend to a 3-day liveaboard if you want more time on the reef!
- Day 3: Spend the day in Kuranda. Visit the Butterfly Sanctuary and Koala Gardens, admire Barron Falls, and learn about the local flora and fauna at Rainforestation.
- Day 4: Explore the Atherton Tablelands, either with a waterfall day trip or with a hiking adventure! Visit unique landmarks like Paronella Park, or embark on an ambitious hike up Walshs Pyramid.
- Day 5 & Day 6: Head north to the Daintree Rainforest and see the world's oldest rainforest! It's 3 hours north of Cairns, so it's worth spending 2 days here if you have time. You can book a tour or rent a car and drive yourself up there.
- Day 7: Go beach hopping along the coast! As you head back south to Cairns from the Daintree, you can stop in Port Douglas, Palm Cove, and other adorable coastal towns on the way. Or just head straight back to Cairns and enjoy some R&R before flying home.
How many days do you need in Cairns for a couple?
For a relaxed romantic weekend, we may suggest spending 3 nights and staying in the coastal towns of Palm Cove or Port Douglas. If you’re looking for a thrilling adventure, spending 7 nights in Cairns is enough to experience the rainforest, reef, and so much more!
How many days do you need in Cairns for a family?
There’s something that will take the interest of every member when in Cairns, there’s something that will interest both the kids and parents! We know travelling with the family can be stressful, so why not spend 14 days in Cairns and split up the time of poolside or beachside relaxing, with fun and thrilling activities for the whole family? There's plenty to do in Cairns, no matter what type of vacation you are after.
