Cairns is the gateway to the breath-taking Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda Rainforest and buzzing Port Douglas. Why not round up the family and use Cairns as a base to explore Tropical North Queensland!
Swimming in Cairns is a delight and there’s plenty of family-friendly things to do in Cairns including many beaches and pools to choose from. Splash in the shallows of The Esplanade Lagoon, a sandy, man-made lagoon pool which the kids will love! Make use of the BBQ facilities or nearby cafes and restaurants. Soak up the sun and bathe in the pristine waters of Trinity Beach and Palm Cove.
Don’t forget to swim between the red and yellow flags!
If your kids are seeking more adventure, they can run amok in ankle-deep water in Muddy’s Playground.
Situated on the waterfront, this is regarded as one of Australia’s best kid’s playgrounds providing hours of entertainment!
You can kick back in the onsite cafe and enjoy a coffee or meal in the meantime. Explore the diversity of flora and fauna in the Kuranda region, accessible by the Kuranda Heritage Train and Skyrail. If you jump on board the train, you’ll wind through 15 tunnels and over 36 bridges, past the majestic Barron Falls. Full historical commentary is included. If you opt for the Skyrail, you will glide over luscious canopy and into the depths of the dense rainforest.
Be sure to stop off in the village and check out the array of shops, restaurants, heritage markets and the Venom Zoo. This Zoo combines entertainment and education. The kids will be fascinated by the creepy crawlies and learn how these creatures will be responsible for producing the most advanced medicines in the world!
Less than an hour’s drive from Cairns, lies the tropical Tablelands set at an average of 700 metres above sea level. Escape the heat in the Danbulla State Forest, where you’ll come across rare species including the truffle-eating Northern Bettong and Boyd’s Forest Dragon. Continue walking and be dazzled at the mystique of the Cathedral Fig Tree, a massive 500 year old strangler tree! Walk inside the tree and gaze up at the towering walls of roots. Marvel in the natural beauty but don’t forget the mozzie repellent! A few kilometres away you’ll find the mysterious Mobo Creek Crater where you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views.
Often dubbed the ‘Food bowl of the Northern Tropics’, Cairns offers exceptionally good produce and a thriving restaurant scene. There’s plenty of family restaurants to eat at including Salt House, offering scrumptious fish and chips, Bel Paese, a buzzing trattoria with traditional hospitality and Yorkys Knob Boating Club where there’s a range of kids meals and free dessert thrown in! There’s also a number of foodie tours available including venturing out to private coffee plantations. So, why not uncover some tantalising tropical food and indulge your senses! You will be on holidays, after all.
If it’s the Great Barrier Reef you’ve come to see, there are a range of day trips and packages which can be tailored to suit your needs. You will never run out of family-friendly things to do in Cairns! If you’re looking for suitable family accommodation in central Cairns, we have the perfect place for you. Comfort Inn Cairns City offers a range of comfortably-appointed Standard Queen, Twin and Superior rooms, just a few minutes’ walk from the Esplanade.
