Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

Cairns is the wonderful combination of quaint resort town and relaxing, ambient tropical paradise. The cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city invites you to explore the endless activities on offer. The majority of the available city accommodation is within walking distance to the main selection of incredible bars, cafes, restaurants and the esplanade shopping precinct.

There is also a fantastic selection of day trips to the Great Barrier Reef that depart from Cairns, so this is an excellent base for travellers looking to explore the reef without staying at one of the island resorts.

It is also surrounded by lush hinterland rainforests and is within a very close proximity to the beautiful Port Douglas and Daintree Rainforest National Park. With so much to see and do, Cairns is an excellent family-holiday destination.

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Destination Highlights

Journey out to the Great Barrier Reef and experience one of the seven wonders of the world.
Day trip up to the hinterlands or Port Douglas to experience the incredible Daintree Rainforest.
Spend the day exploring the main esplanade precinct, with fantastic shopping, great dining and incredible weather on offer.

Seasons in Cairns

The weather in Cairns is amongst the best in Australia, with two distinct seasons instead of the usual four.

Dry Season May - October

The winter or dry season is the best time to visit, and this occurs between May and October with temperatures averaging between 17.5 – 29°C (63.5 – 84.2°F).
Wet Season November - April

The wet season typically occurs between November to April, and due to the monsoonal rains and the higher humidity, the landscape is lush and green. Temperatures usually range between 21.5 – 31.4 °C (70.7 – 88.5°F). This is also the time in which cyclones can occur in the Tropical North Queensland region.

What do our experts say about Cairns?

For travellers who don’t have time to venture out to the Daintree Rainforest, I highly recommend taking some time to visit Edge Hill and the Cairns Botanic Gardens. They have an amazing variety of tropical plants and a beautiful space to take a leisurely walk.

Karen Holloway

Operations Manager

Contact Karen The tailor team

Karen Holloway

Operations Manager AT THE TAILOR

What do I love about working at The Tailor?

Working with an amazing team of people from all walks of life with a passion for creating exception experiences that showcase our beautiful country.

Beach escape or outback adventure? Why?

The outback! I’ve been lucky to have lived in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and now Adelaide with easy access to beaches, city life and now wine country. The Outback however draws me in with its remoteness, stunning scenery, and the colours, especially the red soil, green scrubs, and trees and the bluest of skies.

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Accommodation and Experiences in Cairns

The perfect base to experience versatile aquatic adventures, and serviced by a passionate and local crew with brushes of luxury throughout, Aroona is an exquisite all-rounder vessel based just outside of Cairns. Boasting an extensive portfolio of fishing, diving, scientific research, filming, exploration, and adventure charters, Aroona provides a five-star luxury adventure experience upon the remarkable waters and eco-systems of the Great Barrier Reef and beyond, bolstered by the spectacular interpretive knowledge from your guides on both the reef and its wildlife.

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Aroona Luxury Boat Charters
Operating out of Cairns, Darwin and Townsville, Nautilus Aviation provides guests with an outstanding range of experiences around Australia. Nautilus have a fleet of Bell 206, Bell 206L, Bell 407 and Robinson 44 helicopters, all branded in Nautilus’ signature red. With over 20 helicopters at their disposal, and an impeccable safety record, Nautilus are exceptional at delivering scenic helicopter flights, transfers and heli-fishing expeditions.

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Nautilus Aviation
In the shadow of majestic Mt Mulligan, and sitting on 28,000 hectares of eucalyptus rich outback land, is Australia’s newest luxury lodge. Accommodating just 16 exclusive guests, Mount Mulligan is an all-inclusive remote outback station designed to immerse guests in the extraordinary landscape, and provide a rugged and authentic Australian adventure with a distinctly luxe edge. With captivating views of the Mt Mulligan ridge, picturesque eucalyptus forest surrounding the lodge, and a weir brimming with barramundi, this is an idyllic Australian outback setting.

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Mount Mulligan

Must-see sights on your trip

Aerial | Cairns

Landscape | Cairns

Lagoon | Cairns

Esplanade Beach | Cairns

Journeys featuring Cairns

Our carefully curated itineraries offer unrivalled access to Australia’s most sought-after people, places, and experiences, often unseen by most. Through our deep connections and expertise, we unlock private moments in the country’s rarest destinations, blending adventure, luxury, and culture into seamless, one-of-a-kind journeys designed to inspire and captivate.