How To Spend Christmas In Cairns
The holiday season is officially upon us, so it's time to start planning Christmas in Cairns! With its tropical weather, vibrant local atmosphere, and abundant opportunities for fun and adventure, Cairns is an amazing place to spend your Christmas holiday. Here are some helpful tips to help you plan your spectacular getaway to Cairns this Christmas.
Is Cairns good for Christmas?
If you are looking for a relaxing, tropical Christmas with plenty of activities to keep you and your loved ones busy, Cairns is the Christmas destination for you! We're going to highlight the best Christmas events, tours, and accommodations to indulge in during your holiday. There is so much to see and do in Cairns, so pack a bag and enjoy a sunny Christmas in Tropical North Queensland.
2024 Christmas Events In Cairns
Take advantage of the local festivities during Christmas in Cairns with these events! From carols and markets, to fireworks and food, there is plenty to do during the Christmas season in Cairns. These events are a great way to connect with the local community and spread some holiday cheer!
Find more information about any of these 2024 events on the Cairns Regional Council website.
Cairns Mens Shed Christmas Garage Sale
- Date: Saturday 7 December 2024
- Time: 7:30 am
- Location: Cairns Mens Shed, 186 Irene Street, Mooroobool
Christmas Pottery Fair
- Date: Saturday 7 December 2024
- Time: 8:00 am
- Location: Cairns Potters Club, 28A Grove Street, Parramatta Park, QLD
Joy To The World Christmas Carols and Fireworks
- Date: Saturday 7 December 2024
- Time: 5:00 pm
- Location: Cairns Showgrounds
Redlynch Twilight Christmas Markets
- Date: Saturday 7 December 2024
- Time: 5:00 pm
- Location: Xavier Herbert Park, Xavier Herbert Drive, Redlynch QLD 4870
Carols in the Park
- Date: Sunday 8 December 2024
- Time: 6:30 pm
- Location: Munro Martin Parklands
Cairns Community Christmas Lunch
- Date: Wednesday 25 December 2024
- Time: 11:00 am
- Location: Dining Room at St Augustine's College, 251 Draper Street
Christmas Day Lunch In Cairns
A quintessential way to spend an Aussie Christmas is taking your friends or family to a Christmas day lunch. We are all eager to dig into our favourite Christmas lunch dishes, whether that be turkey, ham, prawns or pavlova. One thing is for sure, you will be full of festive foods! Relieve yourself from the stress of cooking on Christmas Day and check out one of the top restaurants and bars in Cairns.
Cairns has many options for where you can spend your Christmas lunch, just be sure to book your table in advance to avoid disappointment!
Top places for a Christmas Day lunch in Cairns:
- CC’s Bar & Grill
- Novotel Cairns Oasis
- Dundee’s at the Waterfront
- Spirit of Cairns Dinner Cruise
- Pullman Reef Hotel Casino
What tours are available in Cairns during Christmas?
A tour to the Great Barrier Reef or rainforest is an amazing addition to any Christmas holiday. Most tours run throughout all of December, with many also operating on Christmas Day. Though it's a busy time of year, you can still snag a spot on some incredible tours if you book ahead. An outdoor adventure out in nature could help make your Christmas in Cairns one of the best holidays yet!
See the best of the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns!
Great Barrier Reef Tours
Spend Christmas out on the world's largest coral reef system! The Great Barrier Reef is right offshore from Cairns, so there is a range of snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, and overnight liveaboards where you can immerse yourself in the stunning turquoise waters and tropical views of the reef.
Island Tours
Combine your Great Barrier Reef snorkelling trip with a tropical island getaway! Island tours from Cairns are a fabulous way to get off the mainland and find paradise. Places like Green Island and Fitzroy Island have postcard worthy, white-sand beaches where you can swim, snorkel, and have fun as a family.
Rainforest Tours
Spend Christmas swimming in waterfalls, spotting wildlife, touring charming country towns, and admiring the flora and fauna of Cairns' rainforests. From the Atherton Tablelands to the Daintree Rainforest, you can embark on some enlightening day trips that combine nature, culture, history, and more!
Blackout dates for tours in Cairns
Some tours may be unavailable on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Please check in advance to see what tours are available on your chosen dates. During the holidays, pick a few different tours and book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Speak with our lovely and knowledgeable travel agents, who can guide you on your way to a spectacular Christmas in Cairns.
Where to stay during Christmas in Cairns?
Cairns is a coastal town with many options for accommodation during your holiday, including Airbnbs, hotels, resorts, hostels, motels and campsites. Or if you’re feeling like tropical royalty, spend Christmas on an island! With accommodation options on Green Island and Fitzroy Island, you can choose how you’d like to wake up in paradise!
To ensure your dream Christmas in Cairns, make sure you book your accommodation in advance to avoid missing out, as it is the busiest time of the year! Cairns has over 300 accommodation options over Christmas, and the top picks for Christmas include:
Hotels
- Pullmans International
- Novotel Cairns Oasis
- Shangri-La Cairns Marina
- Crystalbrook Flynn
- The Benson Hotel
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
- Freedom Hostel
- Cairns Central YHA
- Summer House Backpackers
- Global Backpackers Cairns
- Travellers Oasis
- Mad Monkey Village
- Bounce
Campsites
- NRMA Cairns Holiday Park
- Tasman Holiday Parks: Cairns Cool Waters
- Palm Cove Holiday Park
- Lake Placid Rainforest Resort
