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Cairns Australia, a popular holiday destination in Far North Queensland. It’s a great place to stay for visiting the Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, The Atherton Tablelands and even the Daintree Rainforest. Are you planning a trip to Cairns? Here’s what you should look out for when planning a trip or visiting Cairns.
Visiting Cairns Australia
Cairns Mistake #1 -Dangerous Wildlife
The Cairns Region is home to a number of creatures that can potentially kill you. Don’t worry too much; just be aware. I’ve raised two kids here and we’re all still alive.
The cute and cuddly Australian wildlife, like koalas, you are very unlikely to see outside a wildlife attraction, but you may see some other local inhabitants. Even from Cairns City Esplanade! Don’t forget, in our region, you need to be Crocwise!
You will probably see kangaroos, there are plenty around, even close to the city.
There are large saltwater crocodiles in and around the Cairns Region. They are a tourist attraction, people come here to see them and take crocodile-spotting tours on The Daintree River or on the Dickson Inlet in Port Douglas. If you are very lucky, you may see one on the mud flats along the Cairns Esplanade. I saw one once, but only once. For guaranteed crocodile interaction, a cruise and croc feeding shows, you’ll want to head to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, just north of Cairns. Book it here! It’s a great day out.
Always assume there are crocodiles in any body of water, salt or fresh, unless a local can tell you otherwise. I’m a local – I’m telling you to be careful!
We do have plenty of freshwater swimming holes, waterfalls and creeks nearby, these are considered safe to swim in. But you can never be 100% certain. Crocodiles don’t like cold water, so in theory, they shouldn’t stray too far upstream into cold water flowing down from The Tablelands. That said, there are freshies and salties on The Tablelands.
For Pinterest!
There are a lot of snakes in the region, including the poisonous Eastern Brown and Inland or Coastal Taipan, but you’re very unlikely to see one around a town or city. Taipans are the world’s most dangerous snake. Watch the short video, below, to learn more. They focus on Cairns in the video, for finding coastal taipans.
There are pythons and tree snakes, you may see one if you’re lucky, do not touch and stay well away.
Wild pigs inhabit the forests of the region, these may also pose a danger to people, along with Cassowaries.
For arachnophobes (like me), you’ll be glad to know that you see spiders rarely outside of rainforest areas. There, you’re very likely to see huge golden orb spiders. Venomous spiders, I’ve never seen one.
For sea swimming, you’ll need to visit the beaches to the north of Cairns City, or the islands off Cairns, or, of course, The Great Barrier Reef. In summer, stinger season, you’ll need to find a beach with a swimming enclosure or stinger net. On the reef you will wear a stinger suit at this time of year. Sharks are not really something I ever think about other than the fun of spotting reef sharks on the GBR. There may be bull sharks in estuaries. Great white sharks are a cold water fish, not keen on hot tropical waters.
Mistake #2 Touching Dangerous Plants That Grow Around Cairns
We have a plant called “stinging tree” or gympie gympie in Far North Queensland. Do not venture off marked trails and paths into the bush or rainforest. You could end up in a lot of pain.
You may be close to a stinging plant at Mossman Gorge, in The Daintree, or at Crystal Cascades, there are warning signs to stay on the trail. Crystal Cascades, Cairns, is a hot spot for stings. We’ve also seen this plant towards the top of The Bump Track walk and around Kuranda.
Around Cairns itself, you are unlikely to find it in the manicured flower beds and gardens. Cairns Botanic Gardens may have a specimen, and there was a plant on display at Hartley’s Crocodile adventures the last time I visited. People are stung from time to time, as was this lady.
Tar tree is another potentially hazardous plant found around Cairns. It’s a native cashew, Semecarpus australiensis, and contact can cause severe allergic reactions. It’s also known as marking nut, or cedar plum.
Mistake #3 When Organising a Trip to The Cairns Region, Planning to Rely on Local Public Transport
North of Cairns there isn’t much public transport. The best ways to get around are by renting a car, using the private shuttle buses, or booking tours. Tours will normally pick you up from your hotel.
Renting a car is a good idea if you’d like to really explore the area. Get a quote on car hire here. You can pick up a hire car at Cairns Airport or in the city.
Cairns airport transfers to your hotel in the city or on the beaches are available here.
Places you can explore by booking a tour from Cairns include the following. Easily book these tours using the links below, they have a best price guarantee.
- Kuranda, via the scenic train, Skyrail gondolas and Barron River Falls.
- Daintree Rainforest
- Shuttle to Port Douglas (do this on Sunday for the markets.)
Mistake #4 Packing too Much for FNQ
A common travel mistake is always overpacking.
The heat and humidity of Cairns can make even light clothing feel stifling depending on the time of year. So while planning to stay in Cains, check what the weather will be like during your stay and pack clothes accordingly.
It’s very unusual to need more than a light fleece in the evenings in winter. The cooler months are June, July and August, but it’s still pretty warm!
There are shops and markets in Cairns where you can purchase appropriate clothing should the need arise.
Don’t forget to bring some way to take some photos, be that your phone, camera or GoPro, the Cairns region has plenty to offer in terms of scenic views!
If you plan to bring a drone be aware that local drone laws are strict. Check the regulations for Queensland. We are commercial drone licensed, if you’re not, drone usage is very limited.
If you are snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef or exploring the Daintree Rainforest you’ll see plenty of amazing places! Snorkel boat crews will usually take photos for you. Some boats include photos in the cost f the trip, others charge you for photos.
Cairns is a pretty casual place, shorts and flip flops (thongs) will be fine in most places. A few restaurants may have dress codes prohibiting thongs. I wear jeans year-round, I’m acclimatised.
Mistake #5 Visiting Without Proper Visas, Currency, and Documentation
Australian border security has a bit of a reputation for being harsh, and not without reason. Be very careful what you try to bring into Australia. A lot of food items aren’t allowed. On arrival at Cairns Airport you will quite likely meet the sniffer dogs.
Obviously, you need to make sure you have a valid passport and visa for Australia.
Bring some cash with you or get some out at an ATM on arrival at the airport. You can usually get a better rate on arrival.
The official currency of Australia is the Australian dollar ($ Au), not US $. We do see American visitors trying to use US $ and they often tip in US $.
As for visiting an international destination, ensure you have proper travel insurance.
Credit cards are accepted in Cairns almost everywhere. In hotels, grocery stores, and restaurants. You may need cash for some market stalls at Rusty’s Market, but it’s pretty uncommon today.
Mistake #6 Not Bringing Sun Protection
The sun is very intense in Cairns and you may burn quickly. You must protect yourself from the sun, even on cloudy days.
Sunscreen is available on arrival, but Australia is expensive, you may do better bringing sunblock from home.
Look for reef-safe sunscreen if you plan on going in the ocean.
Bring a hat, have clothes that cover your skin to prevent sunburn.
Wearing a long-sleeved rash guard while snorkelling etc. is a good idea.
The place most people burn is around their hairline while snorkelling. Just because you’re face-down in the water, doesn’t mean the sun can’t get to you.
Mistake #7 Drive on the “Wrong Side” of the Road
In Australia vehicles drive on the left. America drives on the right.
There was a terrible head-on accident on The Captain Cook Highway a few years ago when a car pulled onto the highway on the right and drove straight into an oncoming truck. Be careful!
I’ll also warn you that some local drivers can be aggressive and tailgating is rife. We have 2 lane highways here, be careful. There are a too many accidents on the narrow, winding coast road from Cairns to Port Douglas, and on the range roads up to the Tablelands.
You are likely to hit the wipers a bunch of times when you mean to indicate. I still do after 15 years here!
Mistake #8 Not Booking The Right Hotel!
My top hotel recommendations for Cairns are this hotel for a family stay, this hotel for a luxury stay, views and location, and for the backpackers, go here.
Mistake #9 Not Considering Booking Self-Catering Accommodation
Food is expensive in Far North Queensland, more so than in the southern cities of Australia. In part, this is down to transport costs.This makes restaurant food that much more expensive. Eating out, particularly for a family, is an expensive hobby.
You may want to self-cater at least some of the time. Self catering apartments with kitchenettes are a good choice in Cairns. This is one of the most popular mid-range places to stay of this sort.
There are free gas barbecues along the beach esplanade, at the lagoon, and in some parks. This is common in Australia.
If you do use the barbecues, it is considered very rude not to clean them after you.
You’ll also find free drinking water taps (called bubblers in Australia) nearby.
Please bring a drinking water bottle, we don’t like plastics on the reef!
Mistake #10 Not Being Prepared For Mosquitos
Mosquitos will like to bite in shady areas or around dawn and dusk. If you are a mosquito magnet read our tips for avoiding mosquitos, born through living and travelling in the tropics.
In Cairns we also have tiny biting insects, sand flies or “midgies”. You may encounter these around waterways at certain times of year. When a midgie bites it will leave a red circle on your skin.
There are ticks in theory, (paralysis ticks) we treat our pets and cattle for ticks, but I’ve never seen a tick in Cairns.
Mistake #11 Not Going to The Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is a natural wonder, you have to see it. It’s a very big, very expensive day out, but grab the chance, just do it!
If you’re a weak swimmer you can use flotation devices and the crew will help you. You will see plenty of people snorkelling on the reef using pool noodles or life jackets.
If you’re scared of deep water or sharks, your fear will probably disappear as soon as you see the fish.
If you are prone to seasickness, take medication before you start to feel sick.
It is just so beautiful out there, a day to remember forever.
You need to book. Check the weather forecast if you can, pick your best day, and book it. GetYourGuide are a great way to book tours online, with a best price guarantee, we use this company ourselves, often. Don’t worry about the weather too much, you can have a great day on the reef in the rain.
Another nice excursion from Cairns is a sunset cruise Book this activity for one evening of your stay. Use our links above for a best-price booking option.
Mistake #12 Not Seeing The Cairns Hinterlands
I just published a post about all of the attractions on the Tablelands. It’s very different from the hotter, drier coastal strip.
If you want to see real country Australia, or swim in beautiful waterfalls, or even take a hot air balloon ride, come up our way! The Tablelands Guide is here.
Mistake #13 Not Visiting, or Staying In, Port Douglas
If you’re visiting Cairns for more than a few days, I’d recommend that you split your time between Cairns and Port Douglas. Visit the Daintree and Mossman Gorge from Port Douglas, it will cut hours off the drive time for these tours.
Port Douglas also has Low Isles, a great full or half day snorkelling spot with glass bottom boats available. Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas is one of the most beautiful in the area, you can swim here pretty much year-round. Storms or croc sightings may close the beach but there is a stinger net at the lifeguard station.
Crocodile watching cruises depart Port Douglas Superyacht Marina (which is beautiful!) several times per day. Read up on a Lady Douglas cruise vs a Daintree River cruise here.
Read our post on Cairns vs Port Douglas for more information.
Take a closer look at a couple of beautiful Port Douglas resorts, The Sheraton here, and Sea Temple here. More budget-friendly accommodation is also available. The Lazy Lizard motel gets good reviews.
Mistake #14 Visiting at The Wrong Time of Year
Winter is the accepted “best” time to visit Cairns, For Europeans and North Americans – that’s your summer! So while your kids are on their lomg summer holidays, it’s the best time to be in Cairns. Australian school kids have their long summer holiday over Chrstmas, so if you want to dodge the family crowds, you should be able to.
That said, we do see visitors for Christmas, New Year and Easter. I’d say any time between April and early January is a good time to visit.
The wet season, our summer, can be very wet, hot, and humid. There is a chance of cyclones and tropical storms, but you can still have good days and excellent conditions on the reef.
The whales are in our waters in July and August, you can see whales by booking this whale watching tour from Cairns.
Mistake #15 Not Doing Enough Research
There are just loads of cool things to do in, around, and near Cairns. I’ll give you some of our guides in the related posts,below.
You need to look at things to see and do in Cairns and decide if Cairns is worth visiting for you. Consider how you will visit the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, Kuranda and Mossman Gorge. Bookmark those 3 posts and you’ll have the best trip possible!
Can I remind you to save this post to Pinterest? You may need it again. Thanks.
Something else to research is where and what to eat. We have a guide to food in Far North Queensland here.
So that’s our tips for visiting Cairns, staying safe, and having a great time! Don’t forget to visit The Markets! If you have any questions about our home, put them in the comments or contact me by email. My email address is on our Contact page. Thanks for supporting our website, a local family business with the aim of helping tourists as much as we can.
