Destination
Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree, the oldest rainforest on earth, with reef pontoons, dive boats and rainforest cableways all leaving from town.
Trips to Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef from every city
No live trip to Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | avoid |
| February | avoid |
| March | avoid |
| April | fine |
| May | best |
| June | best |
| July | best |
| August | best |
| September | best |
| October | best |
| November | fine |
| December | fine |
- June, July, August, September: Dry season with the clearest reef visibility; dwarf minke whales visit the Ribbon Reefs in June and July.
- November, December, January, February, March, April, May: Stinger season: swim inside netted enclosures on the beaches and wear a stinger suit on the reef.
January, February, March: Wet season with cyclone risk, high humidity and marine stingers on the beaches.
Where to stay in Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef
- Cairns Esplanade: Central hotels by the lagoon pool and the reef-boat marina.
- Palm Cove: Palm-fringed resort beach 25 minutes north with spa hotels.
- Port Douglas: Chic village an hour north with Four Mile Beach and boats to the Agincourt reefs.
- Trinity Beach: Quieter northern beach suburb with apartments for families.
- Daintree and Cape Tribulation: Rainforest lodges where the reef meets the jungle, two hours north.
What to do in Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef
- Snorkel or dive the outer reef from a pontoon or catamaran
- Kuranda Scenic Railway up and Skyrail cableway down over the rainforest
- Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation day trip
- Fitzroy Island or Green Island beach day
- Sunset drinks at Port Douglas's Four Mile Beach
- Waterfall circuit on the Atherton Tablelands
Good to know
| Airports | Cairns International (CNS) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | upscale |
| Time zone | Australia/Brisbane |
| Kind of trip | nature, island, adventure, beach, national-park |
Questions about Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef
When is the best time to visit Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef?
May, June, July, August, September and October. January, February, March: Wet season with cyclone risk, high humidity and marine stingers on the beaches.
Do US citizens need a passport for Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef?
Yes. Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef is in Australia; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef on the ground?
Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef is upscale by US standards: plan about $130 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.