Sightseeing Overview

Cairns’ main sightseeing attractions are the two World Heritage listed sites to its north and east. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most diverse marine habitats on earth, home to millions of fish and other creatures, and the section of the reef off the Cairns coast is easier to access than anywhere else because the outer reef is so shallow and close to the shore. The Daintree Rainforest is one of the best preserved in the world, and some of the plant species still living here have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. Tourist attractions such as the Skyway Rainforest Cableway make the rainforest accessible to everyone, whilst the Flecker Botanic Gardens and Cairns Rainforest Dome bring the plants and animals of the rainforest to the city. The history of human habitation in this unique area has also produced some interesting attractions such as the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, the Cairns Museum and the Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Centre.