Top 6 activities to do in Cairns other than the Reef
22:07So
you are in Cairns or about to head to Cairns and want to know what else
to do other than the Great Barrier Reef. Here is my top 6 activities to
do in Cairns other than the reef. I have also included in my favourite party night at the bottom of the post.
1. Do the Great Barrier Reef Drive to Cape Tribulation
2. White water rafting on the Tully River
3. Uncle Brians Waterfalls Tour
4. Bungy Jumping or Swing
5. Skydive Cairns or Mission Beach
6. Skyrail
The Beach at Cape Tribulation is beautiful
Here is a brief run down of each of my top activities to do in Cairns
Great Barrier Reef Drive
Company
Self Drive (it is easy to hire a car in Cairns)
About
You might have heard of the Great Ocean Road drive outside of Melbourne in Victoria, but this is an equally spectacular drive in Australia. The Great Barrier Reef Drive takes you from Cairns all the way to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest to the north. This 140km (87 miles) drive takes you along spectacular coastal views, beautiful beaches, and two heritage listed areas.
It is a great chance to learn about this amazing environment
It is a great chance to learn about this amazing environment
I would recommend that you stay at least one night in Cape Tribulation if not more, but you can do this in on day if you are short on time.
Approximate Cost
Your costs here will be car hire, petrol and accommodation if you choose to stay the night in Cape Tribulation. If you are looking for accommodation try Cape Trib Beach House
What to bring and wear
Camera
Money for lunch
Sun protection
Website - www.greatbarrierreefdrive.com.au
Camera
Money for lunch
Sun protection
Website - www.greatbarrierreefdrive.com.au
One of the little creeks that I discovered on the Great Barrier Reef Drive
White water rafting the Tully River
Company
Raging Thunder
About
This is the best white water rafting in Australia and is such a fun day out. The rapids are grade 3/4 which means that they can be intense but with the knowledge of the best guides in Australia you will have a blast. It is a 2 hour drive
each way from Cairns so some of your day is spent on a bus but this is a great time to catch up on your sleep. They will provide you with a highly qualified guide, helmet, safety instructions and life jacket and all of the equipment for the day. Lunch is also included along the river.
Duration
This is a full and long day with pick up around 6:30am and drop off back at your hotel or hostel at around 6:00pm. If you have less time they have a half day rafting option closer to Cairns on the Baron River which costs less as well.
Approximate Cost
$189 Including rafting, transport, lunch and hotel/hostel pick up and drop off or choose the Xtreme version for additional fun of cliff jumps, smaller groups, rapid swims and rapid surfing for $225
What to bring and wear
Swimwear - wear your swimwear under your clothes so you are ready to go when you arrive
Change of dry clothes for the end of the day
Towel
Snacks
Entertainment like iPod or iPad for the long bus drives. You can leave this stuff locked up on the bus for the day
Sunscreen
Personal medication
Waterproof camera with strap so you don't lose it
Money to buy photos
You will need
shoes with a strap, so no thongs/flip flops/jandles. You can hire shoes
on the day which is easiest and only costs a few extra dollars.
Wetsuit top or
rash shirt. Again you can hire these if you don't have one but they
provide warmth and most importantly sun protection
Website - www.ragingthunder.com.au
Uncle Brian's Waterfalls Tour
Company
Uncle Brian
About
Uncle Brian's
tour is all about the area around Cairns called the Atherton
Tablelands. This is a fun tour where you get the chance to swim in some
of the beautiful waterfalls around the Atherton Tablelands, get some surprises along the way and
hopefully spot platypus in the wild. You will be entertained the whole
day and a delicious lunch is also included. This is surprisingly a really fun day out and who doesn't want to swim under at waterfall
Duration
This is a full and long day with pick up around 7:45am and drop off back at your hotel or hostel at around 8:00pm
Approximate Cost
$119 Including lunch and hotel/hostel pick up and drop off
What to bring and wear
Swimwear
Towel
Snacks
Sun protection
Raincoat
Walking Shoes
Personal medication
Camera
Website - www.unclebrian.com.au
Milla Milla Waterfalls is one of the great stops on the Uncle Brian Tour
Bungy Jumping
Company
AJ Hacket
About
Bungy jumping
from the 50 meter high tower overlooking the rainforest is an amazing
experience. There is also a swing that up to three people can do
together. With speeds over 100km/hour this is an awesome rush. Do the
combo, you won't regret it!
Duration
2-3 hours with pick up and drop off from hotel/hostel
Approximate Cost
Bungy from $169
Swing from $129
Combo from $259
What to bring and wear
Extra money for photos/video and food and drinks
Website - www.ajhacket.com
Skydive cairns or mission beach
Company
Skydive Australia
About
There are a
couple of options for Skydiving in Cairns with the cheaper option being
the Mission Beach jump. This is cool because you land on the beach but
you have to drive 2 hours each way and it could get cancelled once you
arrive. I'd pick the Cairns jump location even though it costs a bit
more as the four hours is better spent enjoying Cairns or other
activities. Best to book for an early time slot as the winds pick up
through the day and they can cancel your skydive due to poor jumping conditions. Check the weather conditions a few days in advance and see the day with the least wind predicted and lock in that day.
Duration
2-3 hours
Approximate Cost
$299
What to bring and wear
Closed toe shoes
Website - www.skydiveaustralia.com.au
Skyrail Rainforest Tour
Company
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
About
Skyrail is a
gondola ride through the rainforest with stops along the way where you
get out and wander through and learn about the surrounds. You get above the rainforest canopy as well as dive back down into its layers. It is a great
chance to learn about this amazing environment
Duration
About half a day but I recommend that you make it a full day and include the Kuranda Scenic Railway and enjoy lunch at your own cost in the town of Kuranda.
Approximate Cost
Skyrail from $50 one way or $75 return
Skyrail and Scenic Railway with transfers from Cairns from $123
Skyrail and Scenic Railway with transfers from Cairns from $123
What to bring and wear
Camera
Money for lunch
Sun protection
Website - www.skyrail.com.au
Party Night
Company
Ultimate Party
About
For a fun party night try Ultimate Party which happens every Wednesday and Saturday nights. The night includes
a BBQ dinner and entry into many bars as well as the double decker party bus
that transports you from bar to bar. The bus rides are heaps of fun as the music is pumping and gives you the chance to mingle with people you might not have had the chance to chat to yet. After a few drinks you might be hungry again and this is why at the third bar they include pizza for you to enjoy. There are fun games that are run by the Ultimate Party Hosts on the night with the
chance to win prizes as well as discount vouchers for things all over
town that you can use at other times during your stay in Cairns
Approximate cost
$35
What to bring and wear
Money
Party Shoes
Website - www.ultimatepartycairns.com
Please note that these prices are likely to change. Please refer to each companies websites to book and current rate
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