The Ultimate List Of Things To Do And See In Cairns With Kids
The multitude of things to do in Cairns with kids is amazing and they are activities that the whole family can enjoy. Cairns in Tropical North Queensland has long been touted as ”family-friendly” and I wholeheartedly agree!
It’s proximity to two wonderful World Heritage Listed attractions in the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest make it an ideal base for getting out and exploring some of the best that Australia has to offer.
So without further fuss, here is a list of things to do in Cairns with kids! (includes a mix of free and splurge options) …
… but first, here is a YouTube clip of the natural attractions only!
Things to do in Cairns With Kids
Swim in the Cairns Lagoon
The Cairns Lagoon is a winner for all ages. Situated on the foreshore in Cairns, the 4,800sq metre salt-water filtered lagoon provides safe swimming all year round. This was one of the kids favourite things to do in Cairns!
Younger kids can play in the shallow water and sand and all ages can enjoy splashing around under the fountains. There is plenty of grass to spread out on and quite a few undercover public BBQs. The toilet and shower facilities are close by and excellent.
Entry is free and life guards are on duty during opening hours.
Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Scenic Railway to Kuranda
Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway on a day trip to Kuranda and return via the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Alternatively, make the trip by rail and return by skyrail.
Kuranda is known as the ”Village in the Rainforest” and there is plenty of things to do while you’re there. Check out the Rainforestation Nature Park, Tjupakai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Koala Gardens, Butterfly Sanctuary and have lunch at one of the cafes.
The Scenic Railway has awesome scenery of the mountainous walls of the Barron Gorge National Park. The line passes through solid granite rock tunnels, over many bridges and past rainforest waterfalls. It’s very picturesque!
Although kids often complain about road trips, they seem to enjoy public transport. This is a top choice when it comes to things to do in Cairns with kids!
Book your tickets >>HERE<<
Credit – Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Hit the Road and Visit the Northern Beaches
Although the beach in Cairns itself is … well, yuck … the Northern Beaches make up for it! Choose from Holloways Beach, Yorkeys Knob, Trinity Beach, Palm Cove, Kewarra Beach, Newell Beach, Ellis Beach and Four Mile Beach.
Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas is popular with lifeguards, walking tracks and coconut trees. However, we loved Palm Cove because it’s pretty and features a footpath that meanders the entire stretch of the beach.
This is a great low-cost option for things to do in Cairns with kids!
Spend a Day on Stunning Green Island
Only 45 minutes from Cairns, Green Island is an amazing day trip. Families can expect great snorkelling, shallow waters for the kids, rainforest walks and great facilities and restaurants.
We had the perfect day visiting Green Island with Great Adventures which you can read about in our post Ferry to Green Island for an Amazing Day Trip From Cairns!
Enjoy Mossman Gorge and Visit the Mossman Gorge Centre
Located around 80km north of Cairns in the southern part of the World Heritage Listed, Daintree National Park, Mossman Gorge is just stunning. This is a ”must do” when it comes to nature-based things to do in Cairns with kids!
Families can stroll the self-guided walks in the Daintree National Park at their own pace before relaxing around the edges of the Mossman River. The Mossman Gorge Centre doesn’t recommend swimming due to the unpredictability of the river. However, despite the warnings, there were many families swimming when we visited.
The Mossman Gorge Centre is the gateway to Mossman Gorge and a shuttlebus makes the trip every 15 minutes to the heart of the gorge. Visitors must take the shuttle rather than walking through the community to access the gorge.
The centre features toilets, cafe, indigenous art gallery and gift shop.
Credit – Tourism and Events Queensland
Shop for Gifts at the Cairns Night Market
Every night when the sun sets, the Cairns Night Market springs to life with over seventy retail outlets and plenty of yummy food options.
The outlets range from bargain bracelets to authentic indigenous artwork to having your feet nibbled on by fish! Located opposite the Cairns Lagoon, the Cairns Night Market is a great stop to grab some last-minute gifts.
Credit – Andrew Watson / Tourism & Events Queensland
Swim and Picnic at Babinda Boulders
Located 65 km south of Cairns, Babinda Boulders is a great day out for a picnic and freshwater swim. The boulders are a popular swimming hole and are just perfect for beating the tropical heat.
The creek is lined with massive boulders and the water is crystal clear and incredibly beautiful, surrounded by lush rainforest.
The Devil’s Pool Walk runs along Babinda Creek downstream from the Babinda Boulders Picnic area and while its a bit up and down, it’s achievable with kids at under 1.5km. The walking tracks featuring two great viewing platforms that showcase where the creek cascades down a series of granite boulders, creating stunning waterfalls.
This was one of my favourite things to do in Cairns with kids!
Zipline Over a Crocodile at Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome
Located in Cairns city above the Reef Hotel Casino, The Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome features a challenge ropes course set in a wildlife park. Try out the challenging ropes course, 15-metre power jump or zip line over Goliath the crocodile.
Families can also cuddle a koala, watch the keepers feed Goliath and hold a snake. Kids need to be at least six years of age and at least 120cm tall to join in the Zoom activities.
Get your tickets >>HERE<<.
Credit – Tourism & Events Queensland
Visit the Daintree Discovery Centre
The Daintree Rainforest is incredibly special in that it’s the oldest intact lowland tropical rainforest in the world. It’s thought to be around 180 million years old!
Located around 120km north of Cairns, the Discovery Centre is a wonderful way for families to learn about and experience the world’s oldest rainforest.
There are audio guides for both kids and adults, a beautiful aerial walkway through the treetops, a canopy tower (gets you ever higher!) and much more. Kids will love the Jurassic Forest which takes you back over 65 million years to see animated versions of the dinosaurs and megafauna that roamed the ancient rainforests of Australia.
Read more about our visit to the Daintree Discovery Centre >>here<<. This was a family highlight for me and I recommend adding this to your ”must do” list of things to do in Cairns with kids!
Swim at Josephine Falls
Located 75km south of Cairns, Josephine Falls is a popular swimming hole for both locals and visitors.
Families can swim in the clear water, surrounded by rainforest with a cascading tiered waterfall in the background. The water is quite deep and cold!
After a 1.2km walk to the viewing platform at the top of the waterfall, families can then backtrack a short way to the swimming hole sections.
Go Snorkeling on a Reef Tour With Great Adventures
The Great Barrier Reef is amazing and we recommend heading out with Great Adventures, who we had a great experience with.
Great Adventures will take you out to their stable reef activity platform where you can snorkel directly from the platform (gear supplied). There is also a semi-submersible coral viewing tour that departs regularly and an underwater observatory that’s open throughout the day for coral and fish viewing.
A hot and cold lunch is included and when you need a break from snorkeling, just relax on the sundeck and take in the views.
For more information, check out the Great Adventures website >>HERE<<. Getting out on the reef is a ”must do” when it comes to things to do in Cairns with kids.
Skim Stones and Swim at Crystal Cascades
Only 20km from Cairns CBD, Crystal Cascades is a series of water holes and waterfalls in a section of Freshwater Creek.
The swimming holes are surrounded by rainforest and large granite boulders and is accessible via a 1.5km paved walking path that leads to a few different swimming holes.
Like the other freshwater swimming holes in Tropical North Queensland, the water was cold when we visited and due to the nature of the rocks here, it’s one of the best to skim stones in!
Experience the Collision of Two UNESCO World Heritage Listed Sites
The headland of Cape Tribulation is particularly special as its where the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef collide. Both of these places are UNESCO World Heritage sites!
Visitors will find two interprative walks at Cape Tribulation in the Dubuji Boardwalk ( 1.8km) and the Madja Botanical Walk.
Cape Tribulation is around 35km north of the Daintree River Ferry and 142km north of Cairns.
Stroll the Cairns Esplanade
At some point in your visit to Cairns, you will find yourself strolling the Cairns Esplanade. It’s just lovely! It’s always buzzing with activity and is suitable for families with a wide, even footpath.
The Cairns Esplanade is where you will find the Cairns Lagoon, playgrounds, exercise equipment, grassy areas and Muddy’s playground, a popular spot for families.
A morning or afternoon strolling the esplanade is a great low-cost activity in Cairns with kids.
Enjoy an Underwater World at The Cairns Aquarium
Families visiting the Cairns Aquarium will be guided through ten amazing North Queensland ecosystems as they follow the journey of a drop of rain as it descends from the Cairns mountain ranges into the rainforest, lagoons and finally into the Coral Sea.
This aquarium is the only one in the world dedicated to the habitats of tropical North Queensland and as a result, families can check out rare marine life like Gray Reef Sharks, Freshwater Sawfish and Humphead Maori Wrass.
Get your tickets >>HERE<<.
Credit – Tourism & Events QLD
Go on an Adventure With Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
Located 40km north of Cairns, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is the best place to see crocodiles and local wildlife in Far North Queensland. The best part? A crocodile spotting boat cruise is included as part of the admission fee!
It’s not all about the crocodiles though. There are koalas, kangaroos, wombats, colourful snakes and lizards, cassowaries, a komodo dragon and much more.
Get your tickets >>HERE<<.
Credit – Tourism & Events QLD
Discover the Living History of Australia’s Indigenous People
Located only 15km from Cairns, a visit to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Culutural Park will provide families with an insight into the traditional way of life as told by the Aboriginal people.
Listen to their stories of earth’s creation that have been passed down through the generations and watch the music and dance performances. Learn how to play a didgeridoo, throw a spear and even catch a boomerang!
This is a great way for kids to learn about and experience the local Aboriginal culture. The park is run by the local Djabugay people who happily share and demonstrate different aspects of their culture.
Get your tickets >>HERE<<.
Credit – Adam Bruzzone
Looking for more Cairns family holiday inspiration?
Head back to our Cairns page for more inspiration on family holidays and activities in and around the Cairns region in Tropical North Queensland. Alternatively, explore our home page for more Australian and worldwide inspiration.
Got FOMO? Sign up for our monthly newsletter so you don’t miss out on anything great … like competitions, great deals and the latest inspiration for family activities and travel.
Cairns holiday resources
Best time to visit Cairns
April to September is often touted as the best time to visit Cairns for a great mix of warm dry weather, affordable accommodation and not too many people around. Winter temperatures in Cairns are VERY comfortable! In fact, many use a Cairns holiday as a way to escape the winter cold in other areas.
Stinger season runs from November to March with December to March usually being the hot/wet season.
Where to stay
For budget-conscious families, the Cairns Central YHA is a great choice!
For mid-range apartment accommodation with plenty of space for families, the Park Regis City Quays is a great choice. (our top choice!)
If you’re looking for five-star, Riley a Crystalbrook Collection, is a great choice in a fantastic location near the Cairns Lagoon.
Getting to Cairns
Cairns is a long way from Australia’s capital cities. Located 1,678km North of Brisbane and 2,414km North of Sydney, it’s a long road trip to get there. If you can’t stand the thought of a long road trip with kids, or just don’t have the time, there are regular flights from the capital and major cities.
Find a great deal on Trip.com.
Getting around Cairns
Getting around Cairns on foot won’t be a problem if your goal is to spend time on the reef and see the city. Particularly if you’re accommodation is within walking distance to the marina and esplanade like the three recommended above.
To head further afield to chase waterfalls, visit the Daintree Rainforest or head even further north to Cape Tribulation, hiring a car is a great option.
