Kuranda

Kuranda is a market town in the hills surrounded by rainforest and makes a great day trip. You can drive, catch the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns or Freshwater stations, or take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Mareeba

Mareeba, the edge of the outback where the sun shines 300 days a year and they produce 80% of Australia's coffee crop. With a tour to the area you don't need a car.

Mossman Gorge

Mossman Gorge is 70 minutes north of Cairns and a good place to cool off. Avoid arriving at the same time as the tour coaches, and take great care swimming as the currents are very strong.

Rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest is yours to explore just north of town.

Islands

Green Island and Fitzroy Island, both resort islands that welcome day trips, are within 45 minutes of Cairns by ferry. Of the 300 coral cays in the Great Barrier Reef, Green island is the only one with its own Rainforest.

Forsayth

Forsayth is the outback town at the end of the Savannahlander four day train journey that departs from Cairns travelling inland. It's a unique way to see the Chillagoe caves and Undara lava tubes.

Cooktown

Cooktown is around three hours north along the coast from Cairns, and has history, national parks and beaches to explore. Although it still has well developed facilities, the town has more of a frontier feel, as is vastly different to the resort towns further south along the coast. It’s a great place from which to explore the wild far north.