Activities in Cairns that cost money
We, my husband Michael and I, were in Cairns during the peak of Covid. There were restrictions in place, and my work was really busy, I was classified as an essential worker. We lived there for 16 months and loved it so much that we ended up buying a small unit there.
I like to spend ages researching what we can do in an area we are going to live in, including local waterfalls and swimming holes, national parks, walking tracks, and must-see and do activities and locations. We managed to experience most of the activities that were on my extensive list of things to do in and around the Cairns area.
I planned to save some activities for my children to do with us when they came up to visit, so unfortunately, a couple of things were not achieved, but on a more positive note, we have things to do upon our return. We both loved Cairns and were sad to leave. I had been there previously when I was 18 and again in my late 20s, but I never really explored the area. If you have never been, the city is surrounded by lush green tropical rainforest and mountains. It is unlike any other city I have been to. The beach looks like a brown clay gross area, and you’ll think, omg, why am I here, but if swimming is your thing, do not be disheartened; Cairns has so much to offer, even though the city foreshore doesn’t suggest it. A lot of our adventures were day trips, but we occasionally had a weekend away so that we could explore an area more extensively.
We even took three weeks off work and drove up to Bamaga and Pajinka (Cape York); that was amazing and something you should add to your bucket list!
Ok, enough with the boring stuff, let me tell you about the activities we did and the places we explored.
This page is for activities that cost money; this is alphabetical to minimise bias for any business. There is another page devoted to activities in the region that are free.
Please note this is based on my personal opinion and experience.
Aquarium (Cairns)
What it is – it is a two-storey building full of underwater magic that showcases everything the Great Barrier Reef has to offer without having to get your feet wet!
What it offers – day admission, night tours, marine encounters, a turtle rehabilitation hospital, multi-park discounts, a gift shop and a restaurant/café.
What we did – we loved it so much that we purchased a one-year pass! It was at this time that we started to watch 72 Dangerous Animals Australia, which was on Netflix at the time. We loved watching the episodes, which often showed various aquatic animals, and then we would go into the aquarium and see them first-hand. It was scary how many of the list of deadly animals lived where we lived; Far North Queensland.
When you walk into the aquarium, you start with the freshwater fish. When you go upstairs, you go through turtles, a rainforest section, reptiles including pythons, tree monitors, and crocodiles, crayfish, then the fantastic reef tank. You then walk through jellyfish and coral reef fish and past a marine touch tank finishing off with the sharks and rays.
They do daily talks in several sections of the aquarium at different times, so make sure you check what talks/shows you want to attend when you arrive so you can plan your experience.
A highlight of the Aquarium was the massive 10-meter-high two-storey tank.
Would I do it again? Yes. We went there several times during the year we had the pass.
What do you need?
Just the two of you – a bottle of water and your phone or a camera to take photos.
With kids – Our scavenger hunt list, water and snacks.
Animals – no dogs allowed unless a service dog.
Please note – our personal photos are currently misplaced, so images have been retrieved from Google. They will be updated as soon as our images are located. If there is a problem with any of the images uploaded, please advise us, and we will remove them immediately.
For more information on the Cairns Aquarium, please visit our Cairns Aquarium page HERE.
Butterfly Sanctuary (Australian)
What it is – the largest butterfly aviary in the southern hemisphere
What it offers – home to over 1200 tropical butterflies. You can see them in every stage of their life. There is a lot of information about the differences in the butterflies, what they eat, how they reproduce, their lifecycle and life expectancy. You can potentially see the green Cairns Birdwing and the beautiful blue Ulysses, two of the most beautiful butterflies in the region.
What we did – my eldest really wanted to go here and see the butterflies. You can see all the different stages of the butterfly as you walk throughout the sanctuary, and the site map shows you exactly where everything is. My daughter’s favourite bit was when a butterfly landed on her. We even saw a butterfly land on a lady’s face, she laughed and said it was the best birthday present ever!
While up at Kuranda, we walked around the local markets and shops and had lunch at one of the cafes.
Would I do it again? I did do it again when my youngest came to visit. The experience was enriching and highly enjoyable. Each visit provided unique insights due to the varying butterfly populations, offering valuable knowledge. While I found two visits to be sufficient for my own learning, the potential for continued discovery is evident.”
What do you need?
Just the two of you – a bottle of water and your phone to take photos.
With kids – Our scavenger hunt list, water and snacks.
Animals – no dogs allowed unless a service dog.
For more information on the Butterfly Sanctuary, please visit our Butterfly Sanctuary page HERE.
Cape York (Pajinka)
What is it The northern tip of Queensland. This is not exactly paid, but it is not free either. Fuel up there is not cheap.
What does it offer? Fun, exploration, community, adrenaline, danger, survival, and dust!
What did we do Unfortunately, our 4WD does not have a snorkel fitted, so there were a couple of sections of the OTT that we could not traverse, but we did as much as we could.
We drove around both ends of Shotgun and watched some cars travel through the crossing.
We went to the northern end of Nolans, and if we had more time, it would have been amazing to spend a night or two here as it is a very lovely little spot, and there is always lots of action. None of the cars we watched travel through the crossing got stuck and died, so although it was fantastic for the drivers, it was a little disappointing (just being honest) not to have witnessed something that everyone talks about.
Would we do it again? 100%. We were saying that we needed a million dollars so that we could buy all six kids (3 of mine and 3 of Michael’s) and both our mums (plus us) a fantastic fully kitted up 4WD so that we could do the trip as a family convoy; influencing the kids saying that if they want the car, it will cost them one month of their lives! Would one million dollars even fully deck out 8 x 4WDs with rooftop tents and a small caravan for the mums to share for the month?
What do you need? An open mind, a good 4WD with a snorkel and winch, and maybe a few spare parts (although there is quite a supply scattered along the OTT). Other things that you’ll need are:
Food, water, somewhere to sleep (tent, camper, etc., caravans not suited to travel the OTT, but you can leave it just before the OTT while you traverse the track), first aid kit (including snake bite bandages), towels and swimmers, sunscreen and bug spray.
Please note: if you want to take alcohol, you need to be aware that some indigenous communities have restrictions on the amount of alcohol being brought in. You will need to check before travelling in this region with alcohol.
Make sure your car is serviced before you head off, and due to the dust you will encounter, you might want to book it in to get all the filters replaced again when you get back.
We purchased a book at the start of the trip, and I was really glad we did. It is called Explore Cape York: Everything You Need to Know to Explore Cape York by T.K. Sands. It was such a great little book and showed us some places that we would have otherwise missed.
For more information regarding our Trip to Cape York, we have a page specific to that trip that you can access HERE.
Note: we are not affiliated with the book mentioned above at all.
Casino - the Reef Hotel
What it is – play, stay and eat.
What it offers – 5-star Pullmans Reef Hotel, gaming casino, restaurant, and cafe.
What we did – Neither of us are gamers or gamblers, so we did not play any of the many games or machines on offer at the Casino, we did, however, go above the Casino to Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome. We were a little confused as to what to expect, but it ended up being quite fun. Upon entering, there was no queue, and the staff were very friendly and helpful.
There were different activities that you were able to book into as part of your entry. The activities included various zip lines around the top of the area, inside and outside of the building. We chose the outside walk, where we were able to walk around the dome at the top of the building. Instead of walking down the stairs on the way down, the staff member asked us if we wanted to do the more exciting decline? “sure” was our answer, not knowing what we were in for. We walked to the edge of where we were standing and jumped onto a trampoline that was at the bottom. For me, it was hard to take that step off, but I did it, and it was over before I knew it. Challenging in a different meaning of the word.
The wildlife section consisted of a crocodile that was removed from the local river for causing havoc with the locals. There are also koalas, kangaroos, snakes, spiders and lots of various birds.
When we finished upstairs, we had lunch in one of the cafes in the Casino before leaving.
Would we do it again? Unfortunately, the Zoom and Wildlife Dome is now closed. The final day of operation was 8 October 2023. The rest of the casino is still operational, including gaming, restaurants and live performances. Goliath is now at the Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat.
What do you need?
Just the two of you – a bottle of water and your phone to take photos.
With kids – Our scavenger hunt list, water, snacks.
Animals – no dogs allowed unless a service dog.
*regrettably, the photos from this location are among the photographs that we lost. These are the only photos we could find.
Granite Gorge Nature Park and Rock Wallabies
What is it A nature park full of beauty, animals and relaxation only 12 km from Mareeba.
What does it offer? Pet-friendly camping, hand feed the Mareeba Rock Wallabies, swim in the creek weir, and see a variety of animals up close and personal, including peacocks, lizards, snakes, birds, ponies, owls and pigs.
What did we do We walked through the section with all the animals.
Meandered the granite rock
Explored the surrounding area
Would I do it again? If I did it again, I would take the camper and stay the weekend so we could do more exploring through the gorge.
What do you need?
Just the two of you – a bottle of water and your phone to take photos.
With kids – Our scavenger hunt list, water, snacks.
Animals –Dogs are allowed in the campsite (on a leash) however, they are not allowed in the Gorge itself.
For more information on the Granite Gorge, please visit our Granite Gorge page HERE.
Green Island Tour
What it is – 45-minute catamaran trip out to a 6000 year old rainforest covered coral cay where you can stay, play, eat and/or relax.
What it offers – glass bottom boat, snorkelling, scuba diving, helicopter scenic flight, parasailing, cultural tour, beach equipment hire, hotel, café, ice-cream, sun baking, local wildlife and a souvenir shop.
What we did – We did this when my youngest visited in 2021. We went on the Big Cat Green Island Reef Tour boat on a full-day tour. The ticket included the Glass Bottom Boat tour.
Optional activities were offered, and we chose to do Snuba. I had never heard of Snuba, but it is a cross between scuba and snorkelling. I have always wanted to scuba dive, but fear has always prevented me from doing so. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to try going underwater. My daughter had an amazing time with the fish coming up to her to be fed; my husband also enjoyed the experience. As for me, I really tried my hardest not to have a panic attack and tried to enjoy the experience. I lasted the entire time out there as part of the group of four (4), but it wasn’t easy with the Jaws theme music playing in my head the entire time!
The island is beautiful with white crushed coral beaches and crystal clear ocean. There is accommodation on the Island and various places to shop and eat. There is also the opportunity to catch a helicopter out if your budget allows.
Would I do it again? No, I wouldn’t. I have done Green Island twice now (maybe even three times), but this was my husband and daughter’s first time, and they absolutely loved it. I am keen to try Fitzroy Island next. I was really glad to do it with them, but I get seasick, so it’s hard for me to enjoy.
What do you need?
Just the two of you – a bottle of water and your phone to take photos; snacks or even a small packed lunch; towel, swimmers, hat and sunscreen; travel calm; a book if that is what you like; a pair of water shoes each.
The boat supplied wetsuits and scuba equipment (for a fee).
With kids – Our scavenger hunt list, water, snacks, swimmers (rashie), a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and water shoes.
Animals – no dogs allowed unless a service dog.
For more information on Green Island Tours, please visit our Green Island Tour page HERE.
Hartley's Creek Crocodile Farm
What it is – Crocodile Farm 40 minutes North of Cairns.
What it offers – Crocodile farm tours, cassowary feeding. snake show, crocodile feeding, a crocodile attack show, and a koala talk and cuddle. Explore the 2500 metres of boardwalks and pathways that wind through Eucalypt Woodland, Melaleuca Wetland and Riverine Rainforest while enjoying the wide variety of exotic and native animals.
What we did – One of the best activities in Cairns that cost money things we did! At the time of our visit here, the Queensland Government were offering deals for people to get cheaper adventures within Queensland in an attempt to boost tourism as Covid restrictions started to lift. This meant we got a really good deal for our entry, so we decided to go bigger and do the Zootastic Wildlife 5 encounters. That was the best decision EVER. We had the most amazing time.
The five encounters included a personal guide (maximum of 6 participants, but we were the only two) to take us around and assist us with the activities, which included: cuddling a Koala; holding a Crocodile or Snake; walking, patting and feeding a Wombat; feeding a Cassowary; feeding an Alligator; feeding mealworms to small monkeys; plus as part of the entry you get to go on the boat for the crocodile feeding, and see the crocodile farm.
If you go here, which I highly recommend you do, you have to do the full experience. I don’t think it would have been the same if we hadn’t. I almost forgot to mention that we started the day early and had breakfast there (included in the cost) before meeting with all the animals, it was delicious.
Would I do it again? If I was to do it again, it would 100% be the zootasic wildlife 5 encounter.
What do you need?
Just the two of you – a bottle of water and your phone to take photos. The breakfast was very filling, so we didn’t need much else during the day. I had a few snacks in my bag to get us through. Hat and sunscreen.
With kids – Our scavenger hunt list, water, snacks, hat and sunscreen.
Animals – no dogs allowed unless a service dog.
For more information on the Hartley’s Creek Crocodile Farm, please visit our Hartley’s Creek Crocodile Farm page HERE.
Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail
What it is “The Original Kuranda Scenic Railway is a spectacular journey comprising unsurpassed views of dense rainforest, steep ravines, and picturesque waterfalls within the World Heritage listed Barron Gorge National Park.
This famous railway winds its way on a journey from Cairns to Kuranda. The journey to Kuranda takes approximately 1.5 – 2 hours, which includes a 10-minute stop at the spectacular Barron Falls Station for a bird’s eye view of the Barron Falls. Passing through 15 hand-carved tunnels, 37 bridges, spectacular waterfalls and into the stunning Barron Gorge”.
The Skyrail is 15 minutes north of Cairns and takes you over the beautiful Wet Tropics World Heritage area. The one way journey will take approximately 1.5 hours, which allows you time to explore the two optional stops: Red Peak and Barron Falls. Be sure to get off and have a look around.
What it offers you can choose from Heritage or Gold Class travel with the Scenic Railway. The Skyrail has cars with a glass floor for the adventurous (extra charge).
What we did We decided to do the Scenic Railway up and the Sky Rail down. The railway starts with a bus trip to the beginning of the line in Smithfield. A short wait at a lovely little train station, then the train pulls up for you to board (if you are early, there is a shop you can wander through).
The train was crowded and hot. There is no air conditioning on the old train, just the windows which open. We were told where we had to sit, and it ended up being seats that sit backwards. I really don’t like travelling backwards and tend to get nauseous, so I was a bit concerned. Just as we were taking off, a staff member told us there were some spare seats in the next carriage and asked if we wanted to move, to which I jumped at the opportunity. I think it would have been a horrible ride had we not been able to move.
It is a pretty ride up, and there’s a stop at Barron Falls along the way, where you can hop off to take a look and snap some photos. At the end of the line, you walk a short distance up into Kuranda. There are a few things to do in Kuranda, including eat, shop, Birdworld, and/or the Butterfly sanctuary. We chose the butterfly sanctuary (see above) and lunch.
We caught the Skyrail down. This is amazing. I loved it. You can get out along the way and go for a walk to various lookouts and take photographs. When you are finished looking around, you just jump into the next empty gondola as it comes along. The view as you come over the mountain above Cairns is breathtaking and memorable; if you can, try to get the trip down in the gondola for this view.
Would I do it again? If I could afford it, I would go up and down the Skyrail every weekend. The scenic railway is something you should do at least once.
What do you need?
Just the two of you – a bottle of water and your phone to take photos. Hat to walk around Kuranda. It is a long trip, so maybe a few snacks, although there are nice places in Kuranda for lunch. Money to do some souvenir shopping or attend one of the attractions mentioned. a hand-held fan for the train.
With kids – Our scavenger hunt list, water, snacks, and a hat.
Animals – no dogs allowed unless a service dog.
For more information on the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail, please visit our Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail page HERE.
Paronella Park
What it is José Paronella’s dream was to build a castle. He chose a special part of Australia and created Paronella Park. On 5ha beside Mena Creek Falls, he built his castle, picnic area by the falls, tennis courts, bridges, and a tunnel, and wrapped it up in an amazing range of 7,500 tropical plants and trees (now a lush rainforest!).
What it offers Day and time time tours, exploration, wildlife, camping, food and drink. Mena Creek Pub is just up the road. There is a new caravan park behind it with lovely new facilities.
What we did Devonshire tea. Day and night tour. Camping overnight at the caravan park onsite. The following day, we did the Menu Creek Skywalk. You can buy one ticket to do both of the activities and they are valid for one year.
Would I do it again? It was a really beautiful place. My favourite bit was the Kauri Pine walk. Every area you go to has a view of the waterfall. What an amazing man he was to build that for his family. Yes, I would go there again if I was in the area.
What do you need?
Just the two of you – a bottle of water and your phone to take photos. Hat to walk around the beautiful grounds. There is a cafe, so you can grab something to eat before doing a tour. Money to do some souvenir shopping.
With kids – Our scavenger hunt list, water, snacks, a hat. Buy some of the food to feed the turtles and fish.
Animals – no dogs allowed unless a service dog.
While pets are not allowed inside Paronella Park, a complimentary pet sitting service is available for all visitors.
For more information on Paronella Park, please visit our Paronella Park page HERE.
Rainforestation Nature Park
What it is a nature park full of education and fun
What it offers an aboriginal experience includes boomerang throwing, spear throwing, cultural dance performances, and didgeridoo playing. A tropical fruit orchard, fascinating plants and Australian wildlife. An educational ride on an Army Duck.
What we did This was an interesting little place and well worth the visit. The trip to the park is only 30 minutes from Cairns; it is along the Kuranda Range that takes you up to Kuranda, Mareeba and the Atherton Tablelands. We purchased this as part of a three park pass, which includes one admission to each of the following parks: Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas and Rainforestation Nature Park.
the experience started with a WWII Army Duck Rainforest Tour. This was interesting, and we learned some new things about the region in which we were living.
We then went to the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, where local Indigenous Pamagirri guides welcome you to take a journey of discovery, learning about their customs and ancient traditions. Seeing how far a spear can be thrown was pretty amazing. It was very interesting and informative, well worth doing.
After that we wandered the grounds, looking at the various wildlife. We saw a wild Cassowary, Crocodiles, Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabies, the rare Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroos, Wombat, Dingo, and the endangered Tasmanian Devil.
Would we do it again? Probably not. It was well worth the trip and experience, but once is enough.
What do you need?
Just the two of you – a bottle of water and your phone to take photos, sunscreen, and a hat.
With kids – Our scavenger hunt list, water, snacks, hat.
Animals – no dogs allowed unless a service dog.
For more information on the Rainforestation Nature Park, please visit our Rainforestation Nature Park page HERE.
Wildlife Habitat
What it is an award-winning eco-certified nature park
What it offers 8 acres of land with a huge range of flora and fauna, including Kangaroos and Wallabies, Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo, Southern Cassowary, Koala, Possum, Gliders, Reptiles and Birds.
What we did This place has a lot of birds, and I mean a lot (Frogmouth Owl, Black-necked Stork, Bush Stone Curlews, Kookaburras, Parrots, Pigeons and Doves, Emus Ducks and Geese, Cassowary, Australian Pelican, Finches, Cockatoos). I had a local black cockatoo sit on my shoulder and have a chat with me; he was beautiful, and it was very cute.
You can swim with a crocodile here if you should choose to do so, I did not. I was more than happy looking at him from my seat on dry land.
There are five different environments for you to explore here, including Rainforest (my favourite), wetlands, savannah, nocturnal and woodlands. Port Douglas is a very beautiful place, so make sure you drive up there for a visit when in Cairns.
Would we do it again? To be honest, I am not that big of a bird person. I think they are beautiful and amazing, but they aren’t for me.
What do you need?
Just the two of you – bottle of water and your phone to take photos; sunscreen and a hat
With kids – Our scavenger hunt list, water, snacks, sunscreen and a hat.
Animals – no dogs allowed unless a service dog.
For more information on the Wildlife Habitat, please visit our Wildlife Habitat page HERE.
What activities in Cairns that cost money things we have left to do:
Fitzroy Island day tour.
Fitzroy Island, home to the family owned and operated Fitzroy Island Resort, is a 45-minute boat transfer by the Fitzroy Flyer (about 30kms) from Cairns in Queensland and is surrounded by a reef system that forms part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, making it the perfect accessible base for snorkelling and exploring the reef.
Idyllic beaches lead into the safe, sheltered waters, which are also ideal for swimming and water sports, as well as yachting and boating.
For more information, please visit https://www.fitzroyisland.com/
Mount n Ride at Goldsborough
Half day horse riding tour in one of my favourite areas, Little Mulgrave Valley. I am keen to return to Cairns and to give this a go with my eldest daughter and her partner.
For more information, please visit https://www.mountnride.com.au/
PADI scuba diving.
I do not know if I will ever do this, but I have a friend who completed it and loved it.
This course is a subset of the PADI Open Water Diver course. If you’re short on time but want to become a diver, the PADI Scuba Diver rating might be right for you.
For more information, please visit https://www.padi.com/courses/scuba-diver.
Reef snorkelling.
I ended up doing this in Mackay at one of the Islands, so I don’t think I will return to do this in Cairns. My eldest is very keen to do this, though, so it will more than likely be a trip out to Fitzroy Island combined with the snorkelling.
White Water Rafting on the Barron River.
I am keen to return to Cairns and to give this a go. I heard if you want a bigger thrill, to do the White Water Rafting on the Tully River. I don’t know if this is true or not, but something to consider.
The beautiful Barron Gorge National Park is only 20 minutes from the centre of Cairns (40 minutes ex-Port Douglas). It’s known for its rugged rainforest mountains, steep ravines, the mighty Barron Falls and, of course, Barron Gorge, which has been carved out over thousands of years by the Barron River.
For more information, please go to https://www.foamingfury.com.au/barron-river-half-day/