Things To Do In Cairns During Winter School Holidays
Situated in the tropics of North Queensland, Cairns, is a popular destination for the winter school holidays in Australia. While most of the country experiences colder climates between the months of June-August, Cairns is blessed with warm and inviting weather even during the cooler months, making it the ideal mid-year getaway.
If you’re planning an escape to the tropics these winter holidays, here’s a list of things to do in Cairns to make your trip a pleasurable one!
Australian winter school holiday dates 2024
Not all states in Australia have their Winter School Holidays on the same dates in June and July. Below is a list of the winter school holiday dates for all Australian states in 2024.
- Queensland (QLD): 22 June - 7 July
- New South Wales (NSW): 6 July - 21 July
- Victoria (VIC): 29 June - 14 July
- Western Australia (WA): 29 June - 14 July
- South Australia (SA): 6 July - 21 July
- Northern Territory (NT): 22 June - 7 July
- Tasmania (TAS): 6 July - 21 July
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): 6 July - 21 July
Top Things to Do in Cairns During Winter School Holidays
1. Visit the Great Barrier Reef
No trip to Cairns is complete without visiting the Great Barrier Reef! Jump on a snorkelling tour to explore the thriving coral reefs teeming with marine life. Many reef day trips to the pontoons cater to families and first-time snorkellers, ensuring everyone has a safe and memorable experience. For those who prefer to stay dry, Reef trips that include semi-submersible or glass-bottom boat tours provide an ideal alternative. Winter is especially great for reef trips as the wet weather and stinger seasons are over.
2. Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Visiting the charming rainforest village of Kuranda is a novelty for all when travelling via the Kuranda Scenic Railway. This historic train journey winds through lush mountainsides, past cascading waterfalls like Barron Falls, and over deep ravines. Explore the Kuranda markets, Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld and Koala Gardens. Return to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for breathtaking 360° views from above the forest canopy.
3. Spot Crocs in the Daintree Rainforest
Venture a little further from the city and into the Daintree Rainforest, the most ancient tropical rainforest in the world. A guided tour provides unique insights into the distinctive flora and fauna that can only be found here. Most of the day tours include a scenic cruise on the Daintree River to spot crocodiles and other wildlife in their natural element. Visit the Daintree Ice Creamery for a taste of some especially uncommon flavours, all natural and homegrown. The kiddies will love it!
Jump on one of these family-friendly tours during your visit over the school holidays.
4. Pat Koalas and experience other wildlife encounters
Encounters with native Australian animals at wildlife parks are always a hit with the kids. Jump on a half day trip to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures in Wangetti, or in the centre of town, the newly built Cairns Koalas and Creatures at The Pier lets you get a photo with a koala and see other creatures and reptiles. Parks like these offer interactive experiences where kids can learn about, feed and even pat some of the animals.
5. Free Activities on Cairns Esplanade
The Esplanade Lagoon, a 4800 square metre large saltwater swimming pool, is the perfect low-cost activity and great for a refreshing dip free from fear of crocodiles and stingers. Muddy’s Playground and water park is also a fun water-themed play area and free to enjoy. The 2.5km boardwalk along the Esplanade waterfront is lovely for a family stroll or bike ride, with plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the views.
6. Fitzroy Island and Green Island
Just a 45-50 minute ferry ride from Cairns Marlin Marina will bring you to the shores of either Fitzroy Island or Green Island. Both are easily accessible and offer pristine beaches, clear waters and a bunch of activities such as glass bottom boat tours, snorkelling, kayaking, paddle boarding and hiking. Fitzroy Island’s hiking trails to the lighthouse and Green Island’s self-guided eco walks are perfect for families. For those with younger children and prams, Green Island would be the most recommended due to its flat terrain and wide pathways.
7. Rainforestation Nature Park
Located in Kuranda just a short drive from the main town, the Rainforestation Nature Park is an action packed day out full of activities the whole family can participate in. Experiences feature a WWII army duck rainforest tour, a koala and wildlife park where you can feed the wallabies and the fascinating Pamagirri Aboriginal Experiences which include cultural dance performances, spear throwing demonstrations and interactive boomerang throwing.
Other things to consider for your winter holidays in Cairns
Accommodation in Cairns
Cairns offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, from luxury resorts to family-friendly hotels and caravan parks. Places like The Novotel, Cairns Colonial Club and Ingenia Big 4 Cairns Coconut are all popular stays that cater to the needs of families.
Cairns transport systems
Being a regional town, Cairns doesn’t have an inner-city train system, but it is well-served by public bus transport making it affordable to get around town and to the northern beaches. But if you want greater freedom and flexibility for exploring Cairns and its lush surroundings, then renting a car is the best mode of transport. That being said, most tours include pick up and drop off from your hotel accommodation, eliminating the stress of trying to navigate a foreign city.
Cairns weather during winter
With average temperatures ranging from 18°C to 26°C in winter, Cairns weather during the second semester school holidays is mild compared to southern cities along the East Coast. Not only that, but pair those temperatures with dry, sunny days, and you have a recipe for the ultimate climate for enjoying the great outdoors that Cairns is so well known for.
So there you have it. Now you know the best things to do in Cairns during the winter school holidays, all that’s left to do is book your trip and get yourself up here!
Whether you’re into water activities, rainforest, waterfalls, animal encounters or cultural experiences, Cairns serves up some of the best adventures to keep you entertained during the cooler months. It’s the perfect place to escape the cold and spend some quality time out in nature with your loved ones.
Need help finding the right tours for your family getaway to Cairns this winter? Call or live chat with our online Cairns travel team 24/7. They'll suggest the best options to suit your needs!
