Is 2 Days Enough In Cairns?
2 days is definitely enough time in Cairns if you want to spend 1 day on the Great Barrier Reef and 1 day in the rainforest! There is honestly so much you can do with 2 days in Cairns. This gorgeous, laid-back city in Tropical North Queensland is surrounded by reefs, islands, waterfalls, country towns, rainforests, and more. Though you could easily spend weeks, months, or years uncovering all the gems of Cairns, 2 days is a great introduction to the area.
2 days is still a pretty short visit to Cairns so you'll want to make the most of every moment. Whether you want to prioritise reef, rainforest, or any combination of the two, here are some ways to spend 2 days in Cairns!
Is 2 Days Enough In Cairns?
2 days is enough for an introduction to the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest in Cairns. Though more than 2 days would be ideal, 2 days is still enough time to check out the wonders of Tropical North Queensland. We're going to provide some sample itineraries for your 2 days in Cairns so you can optimise your time and prioritise the highlights that intrigue you the most.
Here are some recommendations for how to spend 2 days in Cairns!
Check out some of our most popular Cairns tours!
2 days on the Great Barrier Reef
Whether you're a beach bum, scuba diver, avid snorkeller, marine life enthusiast, or anyone who wants to see the Great Barrier Reef, you can spend both of your 2 days in Cairns out on the water! There are lots of amazing reef and island day trips that bring travellers out to the most beautiful locations on the Great Barrier Reef. Have the evenings free to walk around Cairns and check out the city after your reef day trips!
Option #1 - Outer Reef Trip & Island Tour
- Day 1: Visit the Outer Reef on a boat tour or pontoon tour! You'll get to snorkel or scuba dive in 2 or 3 locations on the magnificent Outer Reef.
- Day 2: Take a day trip to Green Island, Fitzroy Island, or Michaelmas Cay where you can visit stunning beaches, go for tropical walks, and snorkel with sea turtles around the island.
Option #2 - 2-day, 1-night Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard
- Day 1 & 2: Spend 2 days exploring the Outer Reef on a tour that prioritises snorkelling and scuba diving! You'll get to sleep overnight on the reef and have an immersive experience at sea.
2 days in the rainforest around Cairns
If you're someone who prefers lush green forests and tranquil waterfalls to the ocean, you can still have an amazing 2 days in Cairns. There is so much natural beauty to explore on land, whether you want relaxing strolls through rainforest towns, magical swims in lakes and gorges, or heart-pumping days of river rafting and bungy jumping in the jungle.
Spend your 2 days in Cairns with day trips to different parts of the rainforest! There are lots of options to choose from, so here are some ideas for rainforest day trips from Cairns. You can fill your 2 days with any combination of these beautiful destinations.
Option #1: Kuranda
- Take a day trip to this charming village near Cairns! Here you can admire Barron Gorge, enjoy panoramic views on the Kuranda Skyrail or Scenic Railway, browse the heritage markets, or mingle with wildlife at Rainforestation or Kuranda Koala Gardens.
Option #2: Atherton Tablelands
- Day trips to the Atherton Tablelands are perfect for nature lovers. These tours combine waterfalls, lakes, and freshwater swimming spots with unique local attractions, landmarks, and small jungle towns.
Option #3: Daintree Rainforest
- Or you can head north from Cairns and spend a day exploring the oldest tropical rainforest on Earth! The Daintree Rainforest is a magical place where you can go on crocodile river tours and check out pristine, secluded, wild scenery.
Option #4: Cultural Rainforest Tours
- Those interested in culture and history can join an indigenous tour of the rainforests around Cairns. From fishing and painting tours, to exploring Mossman Gorge and the Daintree with an indigenous guide, these day trips offer an immersive and enlightening experience.
Option #5: Adventure Activities in the Rainforest
- Another option for exploring the rainforest near Cairns is an adrenaline activity. Have a blast and admire the surrounding jungle views while bungy jumping, skydiving, white water rafting, canyoning, or river tubing!
1 day on the reef and 1 day in the rainforest
The most popular way to spend 2 days in Cairns is to split your time between the reef and the rainforest. You can choose 1 day trip to the reef, and if you can't decide between an Outer Reef or island tour you can choose a day trip that combines both!
Then choose an epic rainforest tour for your second day in Cairns. If you're feeling ambitious and you want to pack in as much as possible during your 2 days in Cairns, you can also consider half day tours! These will give you more time to explore the city or embark on your own adventures before or after your day trips.
1 day trip and 1 day exploring Cairns
For those who prefer a more relaxed pace on their holidays, just pick 1 day trip from Cairns. Choose either reef or rainforest and then spend your second day just hanging out in the city. Cairns is an amazing place with lots to see and do right in town. You can walk along the Esplanade, look for street art, browse through the markets, have a long lunch at a local cafe or restaurant, or even attend a local event. If you don't love the idea of constant adventure and you prefer to just chill, Cairns is a beautiful place to do just that!
