Hi!
Thinking of a trip to cairns, never been before, where should we stay that is central, what are some awesome things to do with young school age kids? Hit me with ideas and convince me! My anxiety says to just stay home.
Things to do in Cairns
Things to do in Cairns
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Things to do and see
13 Replies
SOOO MUCH TO DO!!
1) Hartley Crocodile Adventures (you can come back like 2 days in a row in one ticket).
2) Great Barrier Reef day tour (its a full day on a platoon and so much fun) or Green Island.
3) Waterfalls around the areas
3) Atherton Tablelands - so much to see!
4) Babinda Boulders
5) Port Douglas/Palm Cove etc again
6) Daintree forest
7) Mossman gorge
8) Skyrail and Kuranda Train
We have stayed at the Colonial Club Resort and just rented a car. You need a car to get around - its so so worth it!
We have the most amazing holiday!
100 % all of these things. Best answer! Actually answered the question.
I wouldn’t stay in Cairns. Cairns itself isn’t pretty and crime is a real issue. Maybe look at staying at the northern beaches eg Palm Cove (beautiful) or Trinity Beach. You will need a car though. It truely is a beautiful part of the world and there is so much to see and do. Sucks that Cairns has become such a shithole.
What the. I just stayed on my own in the city centre with my young kids . Full of tourists and people around. We walked around at night, went to restaurants and the esplanade pool. We never seen any trouble or never felt unsafe the entire time.
I am a tourist and I absolutely love cairns and think it’s pretty. We thoroughly enjoy our visits each time. We also feel safe as tourists in cairns.
There's heaps to do with kids in Cairns surrounds.
I find it helps anxiety wise to plan the basics - getting there, car hire, accomodation and a food shop at a local supermarket (online if easier). Leave planning every day until you get there as it's overwhelming and guaranteed to set your anxiety off!
I enjoy researching what's around, including playgrounds, walks and free activities, and further out places, too. Pre book tours (like the reef) only if it's peak season. I've planned trips all around the world like this - I feel in control but not like my holiday is pre planned. Often I ignore the places I've listed but I know they're there and I won't be floundering around looking for things to do or stressed trying to get somewhere pre booked if the kids aren't playing the game.
Someone else has already listed the awesome places, but there's great playgrounds and a lagon pool on the Cairns Esplanade. I think there's an aquarium and at kuranda (if still there) a couple of animal places to visit.
I just stayed at the benson hotel with my kids and the Novotel oasis. The benson was great , budget and had all we need. The oasis was beautiful more luxury like a tropical holiday resort should be but more expensive. I mixed it up and stayed at both. Went to Bartley’s crocodile farm, we loved that. Cairns esplanade is great for kids. Lots of restaurants around and big play ground and marina down near the cruise terminal. Island trips, port Douglas etc so much to do.
Hartleys
Just got for 3 - 4 nights at first , stay in city centre and enjoy that. Great for the kids, lots to do. Then next time go back and do more put further when you aren’t so anxious. I just went with my 3 kids on my own. We loved it and stayed in city centre. Nothing to be anxious about and Uber is quick and cheap from airport to centre. Don’t stay home. Create memories with your kids. Get out and live. Life is too short.
Paronella Park is beautiful and worth the drive.
If this is a splurge holiday stay at Palm Cove.
Stay at the colonial! So many pools! Go to the esplanade and the lagoon for a swim one day. Go out on the reef. Skyrail trip one day. Spend the rest at the pools, get food and cocktails, get ubereats delivered, relax, you don’t even have to go out.
Cairns is fantastic for kids. Lovely esplanade and lagoon that they will love. Muddys playground on the esplanade. We visit cairns often for holidays. It’s a great a place.so many things to do in cairns and surrounds.
Novotel oasis resort is beautiful and close to everything. I have just come back. Sky rail is great sand the crocodile farm. Don’t hesitate, book it!