If you’ve planned a trip to Palm Cove for your next holiday, you might be wondering what you can do during your time here.
Now, while there are most certainly plenty of things to keep you entertained and occupied in Palm Cove, you also happen to be in close proximity to Cairns which has a variety of sights to see and experiences to be had.
And being only a 25 minute drive from Palm Cove, Cairns is a great day trip destination while you’re on holiday in Palm Cove.
Today, we’re going to tell you about some of the best activities and experiences in Cairns, but first, let’s learn a little more about Cairns.
What You Need to Know About Cairns
Cairns is a populous city in Tropical North Queensland – with a bustling and exciting energy.
The year-round warm tropical weather and natural beauty of the region certainly play a part in Cairns being such a popular holiday destination but the city’s convenient airport also makes it an ideal link between the rest of the country and the tropical region of North Queensland.
The area is also known as being a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest, which sees people flock to the area too. However, there is much more to Cairns, with plenty of activities and attractions on offer, making it the ideal place to day trip to from Palm Cove.
Cairns Day Trip Activities
As we mentioned earlier, while there are many different activities and experiences to keep you solidly entertained during your time in Palm Cove, if you do want to explore the local area, Cairns is a great place to head to.
Here are some of our favourite Cairns activities.
Cairns Botanical Gardens
Queensland is certainly known for its tropical plants, and one of the best places to see this kind of beauty is by visiting the Cairns Botanic Gardens. In fact, the gardens are known for having one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in Australia.
You will find the gardens only 4km from the heart of the city of Cairns, and over 38 hectares, you can explore the gardens for hours. They are divided into four areas – Flecker Gardens, Centenary Lakes, Mt. Whitfield Conservation Park and Tanks Art Centre – each offering a distinct flair.
The gardens are well established, with the Flecker Gardens having been created all the way back in 1886. There are many large plants and trees, including tropical flora that may not be able to be found anywhere else in the world.
The botanic gardens gives you a glimpse of the amazing rainforest that you can find if you have the time to explore the Wet Tropics region. There’s also a restaurant at the gardens so you can enjoy breakfast or lunch in the heart of this urban jungle.
If you’re keen to learn more about the flora of the gardens or if you’re an avid bird watcher, there are some walking tours available, where you can learn more about the plants and animals of the area too.
Cairns Night Markets
If you’re a foodie, then a day trip to Cairns to make the most of the food scene should definitely be on the cards.
There is a variety of cafes and restaurants, but we think the best options are actually some of the markets.
A favourite market destination is the Cairns Night Markets. When the sun sets every day, the night markets come alive. You can find all kinds of cuisines, including Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Italian, as well as fresh local produce.
While the food is a very big drawcard of the night markets, there’s also an incredible array of market stalls, each offering various goods, like clothing, arts and crafts, Australia food products, and of course souvenirs and gifts.
And if you’re really keen on trying the local produce, a visit to Rusty’s Markets might be on the cards. With more than 180 stalls offering exotic fruits, vegetables, seafood, indigenous foods, and lots more, you’ll find many foods you will have never eaten before.
The fruits and vegetables are grown in the area and sold by the farmers, and we can tell you, you will never taste fruit or vegetables so fresh.
Rusty’s Markets is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and can get quite busy, but it’s definitely worth it!
Cairns Aquarium
If you want to get a taste of the Great Barrier Reef without venturing out onto the open waters of the Coral Sea, a visit to the Cairns Aquarium is a great way to do so.
There are more than 16,000 animals at the Cairn Aquarium and all kinds of ways you can see them too. You can even see unique and rare creatures including various species of freshwater fish, pythons, crocodiles, emerald tree monitors, reef fish, sharks and rays.
The Cairns Aquarium is also the only place in Australia with a 10m Deep Reef Tank, a 360-degree Oceanarium, and an underwater tunnel.
You can visit various ecosystems and habitats throughout the aquarium, as well as learn more about the amazing sea creatures in various presentations.
If you’re feeling extreme, you can also take on diving with the sharks at the aquarium. You don’t need to be an experienced diver to try this one. As part of the “Dive with the Sharks” experience, you will learn how to use scuba equipment and enjoy a 30 minute diving session with sharks and rays. You will need to undergo a medical check beforehand and the experience also includes all day admission to the aquarium too.
The Cairns Aquarium is open every day, with the shark diving experience open Monday to Friday most weeks. The aquarium also happens to be in the heart of Cairns, which makes it super accessible.
Cairns Esplanade and Swimming Lagoon
The Cairns Esplanade is a boardwalk area that stretches along the foreshore of Cairns for over 2.5km, and is essentially a hub of various activities and experiences.
It leads you to various restaurants, shops, the city and of course gives you incredible views of the ocean and beach.
If you want to see what Cairns is really like, spend some time along the Esplanade. It’s a great place for people who want some action and fun with various activities like rock climbing and skating available, but it’s also perfect for when you want to take it easy and relax, offering plenty of people watching and even bird watching opportunities.
While the Esplanade itself is an amazing destination, one of the most popular places along the Esplanade is the Cairns Lagoon.
The Cairns Lagoon is a large saltwater lagoon that offers safe swimming all year long. You don’t need to contend with stingers or crocs and with entry being free, it’s a great activity for any budget and the perfect place to cool off on a hot day.
If you’re looking for a great place to watch the sunset, the Lagoon also offers a pretty spectacular location for that too.
Fitzroy Island
While technically not in Cairns, a day trip to Fitzroy Island is an amazing opportunity if you’re in the area, and it can happen from Cairns.
The Cairns Marina is the gateway to Fitzroy Island which is a tropical island that is around 30 kms from the shores of the mainland. It takes 45 minutes to reach by ferry (the Fitzroy Flyer) and once you’re on the island there are a wide range of experiences to be had.
Being a tropical island there are many different water based activities available, like scuba diving, snorkelling, stand up paddle boarding, glass bottomed boat rides and swimming. You can also stay dry by exploring the islands via the walking trails – you may even come across spectacular white coral beaches on your adventures. You can visit the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and learn more about the sea turtles of the region, or you could simply enjoy cocktails as the sun sets.
You can feel like you’ve escaped the real world onto your own tropical island and still make it back to Palm Cove in time for dinner.
Stay in Luxury at the Reef House
After a day of exploring Cairns, there’s no better place to rest your head in Tropical North Queensland than right here at the Reef House. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Reef House is in Palm Cove and only 25 minutes north of Cairns.
We offer luxurious accommodation and facilities for our guests at our beachfront property, and with an award winning spa and restaurant onsite, you will find it hard to leave (and we won’t make you).
Learn more about staying at the Reef House here.