What Is The Most Famous Scenic Place Near Cairns?
The most famous scenic place near Cairns is the Great Barrier Reef! Other less famous but still gorgeous scenic places near Cairns include the Daintree Rainforest, Atherton Tablelands, and views along the Captain Cook Highway. Whether you're looking for famous landmarks or hidden gems, there are so many absolutely stunning places to visit near Cairns!
What Is The Most Famous Scenic Place Near Cairns?
The Great Barrier Reef is known around the world as the largest coral reef system on Earth, making it the most famous scenic place near Cairns. Other incredible destinations near Cairns are just as scenic, but are less famous. We'll dive into each of these locations in detail and explain how to get to these places from Cairns. So if you're hoping to explore the most beautiful reefs, rainforests, waterfalls, beaches, and scenic lookouts near Cairns, check out some of these places!
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is definitely the most famous scenic place near Cairns. Whether you've studied the oceans in school, learned a little about world geography, or even just seen the movie Finding Nemo, most people around the world have heard of the Great Barrier Reef!
Stretching through the Coral Sea for about 2,300km, the Great Barrier Reef runs along the majority of Queensland's coastline. So there are lots of places in Queensland, Australia where you can visit the Great Barrier Reef. But Cairns is often called the "Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef" because heaps of exquisite reef sites and islands are located just a short, 1-hour boat ride from the shore. Cairns is one of the best places to visit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia!
How to visit the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
If you're hoping to visit the famous Great Barrier Reef while visiting Cairns, you can book a wide variety of boat tours. There are day trips, sailing trips, pontoon tours, overnight liveaboards, dive courses, private charters, and scenic flights where you can immerse yourself in the colourful corals and marine life of the Great Barrier Reef. You are honestly spoilt for choice when it comes to reef tours from Cairns!
Here are some of the best ways to see the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns:
- Reef Day Trips by Boat: Jump on a boat and head to the Outer Reef for snorkelling, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat tours, or relaxing on a pontoon.
- Island Tours: Visit one of the islands on the reef like Green Island or Fitzroy Island so you can beach-hop, sunbathe, and hike in addition to snorkelling in the fringing reefs.
- Liveaboards: Spend multiple days on the reef with a liveaboard! Sleep overnight on a sturdy ship, watch the sunrise over the reef, and have lots of time to snorkel or dive.
- Scenic Flights: Admire the Great Barrier Reef from above with a scenic seaplane or helicopter tour (can also combine this with a reef boat tour!).
- Dive courses: Experience the reef while you learn a new skill! Cairns is a great place to learn how to dive with a beginner course or enhance your dive skills with an advanced course.
- Private Charters: You and your loved ones can charter a private boat and explore the Great Barrier Reef your way! Choose from day charters or overnight charters and plan your perfect itinerary.
Other Most Scenic Places Near Cairns
In addition to the Great Barrier Reef, other famous scenic places near Cairns include the Daintree Rainforest, Atherton Tablelands, and Captain Cook Highway. There are so many more notable destinations around Cairns, but these are the most popular among travellers. After checking out the reefs and islands, it's worth exploring the mainland around Cairns so you can marvel at the glorious waterfalls, mountains, beaches, and more!
Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest is another one of the most famous places near Cairns because it is the oldest tropical rainforest on Earth! Located about 3 hours north of Cairns, travellers make the journey up here to admire the magnificent scenery of this wild and remote ecosystem.
In the Daintree you can go for rainforest walks, stroll on deserted beaches, observe ancient flora and fauna, zipline through the forest, swim in tranquil creeks, and enjoy an off-the-grid nature experience where commercialism and modern technology is minimal. Be sure to visit Cape Tribulation, the only place where two World Heritage Sites meet (the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef)!
How to visit the Daintree Rainforest from Cairns
The easiest ways to visit the Daintree Rainforest from Cairns are either booking a guided tour or renting a car and driving yourself. Guided tours remove all the hassle of planning your trip and you can explore the destination with an experienced local guide. Choose one of the amazing day trips so you can explore all the highlights of the Daintree with ease.
The other option is driving yourself up to the Daintree. Rent a car in Cairns if you don't already have one and enjoy winding along the rainforest roads. Stop at scenic lookouts and embark on a self-guided adventure through the oldest tropical rainforest on Earth.
Atherton Tablelands
Another famous rainforest location near Cairns is the Atherton Tablelands. Stretching west and southwest of Cairns, this lush area of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is known for its natural beauty and its quaint rural towns like Yungaburra and Kuranda. The Atherton Tablelands are home to some of the best waterfalls near Cairns including Josephine Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls, and more.
Other cool places to check out in the Atherton Tablelands include volcanic crater likes like Lake Eacham, unique mountains like Walshs Pyramid, and cool landmarks like Paronella Park or the Curtain Fig Tree.
How to visit the Atherton Tablelands from Cairns
A guided tour or a self-drive itinerary are the best ways to see the Atherton Tablelands from Cairns. There are several full day or half day tours from Cairns that take you to the highlights of this magical area. Some day trips offer an overview of the attractions whereas others are more specialised. For example, you can spend the whole day experiencing the wonders of Kuranda, or you can join a night tour that specialises in wildlife.
You can also rent a car and self drive through the Atherton Tablelands. Be sure to check out the Waterfall Circuit, a convenient driving route through the heart of the tablelands that includes stunning waterfalls and swimming holes.
Captain Cook Highway
The Captain Cook Highway and its surroundings are also worth visiting during your trip to Cairns. Many of the beaches, lookouts, and scenic stretches of road that head north from Cairns towards the Daintree are absolutely gorgeous. The drive along the Captain Cook Highway is considered one of the most scenic drives in Australia. You'll pass vibrant turquoise waters, towering palm trees, and sloping hills that provide amazing views.
There are lots of beautiful stops along the route as well including Ellis Beach, Trinity Beach, Palm Cove, Port Douglas, and more. Whether you want to go beach hopping and check out the picturesque coves, or you want to spend some time in a quaint seaside town like Port Douglas, there is no shortage of stunning views along the Captain Cook Highway!
How to visit the Captain Cook Highway from Cairns
The best way to explore the views of the Captain Cook Highway is by renting a car or campervan and going on a self-guided road trip. You can stop off at every photo-worthy beach, viewpoint, and village along the way without having to worry about other tour passengers. It's a safe, easy road to drive on as well, and impossible to get lost since it's just one road!
If you don't want to drive, you can also see the Captain Cook Highway along any guided tours that head north from Cairns to the Daintree Rainforest. These tours often include local commentary and sometimes a few stops at the best lookouts along the drive. So you can combine this amazing stretch of road with a visit to the Daintree!
