Smithfield Conservation Park - rainforest hiking
by Gypsygirl05
This is a little out of the way if you're staying in the city, but Smithfield Conservation Park is a great place to go if you like just heading out on a hiking trail and seeing where it leads you. The park is part of the Kuranda State Forest, and it encompasses part of the Great Dividing Range, so some of the trails are pretty steep. It gives you an opportunity to see the rainforest up close and personal, though, and if you're lucky you can see a lot of interesting birds and animals (I saw some forest wallabies and a lot of cockatoos there).
The entrance I know best is at the end of McGregor Road in Smithfield, which is the same road that AJ Hackett bungee jumping and James Cook University are on. Sunbus regularly stops at JCU.
Rock out at Gilligan's
by ATXtraveler about Open Air Beer Hall
One of the things that I had missed about Austin, was that there really wasn't much live music playing down here in Melbourne. Well, that was quickly resolved on our trip to Cairns, as we headed out to the first floor of Gilligan's Backpackers bar where we joined a couple hundred of our closest neighbors and bunk mates to listen to this band rock out.
They were severely over-amplified and their lyrics sucked, but hey, there was cold beer, they were rocking out, and the kids were enjoying it. Maybe some day they will be the next Ozzy Ozbourne.
Anyway, have fun there at Gilligan's... you never know, you might see me next time! The only requirement is to make sure you are wearing shoes!
Italian on the beach.
by colin_bramso about Trinity Trattoria Pizzeria
If you visit Cairn's northern beach village of Trinity Beach, this is a good place to eat. Just across the narrow road from the beach, indoor/outdoor tables. Sit there on a warm evening with a glass of wine*, good Italian food and listening to the surf break on the beach a few metres away.
*(It's a BYO restaurant, which in Australia means Bring Your Own wine. They charge a dollar or two for 'corkage' , so it's much cheaper than having to buy the wine at restaurant prices). I like pastas, but they also have meat and fish dishes and all are good.
THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
by BerniShand
The largest living thing on planet Earth, the Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is approximately 2300km long and a major must see in Australia
Cairns is awash with offers of reef trips, the reef is only about 50km out from here and although there has been some bleaching of the coral there are still fabulous areas for swimming, snorkelling and diving to see the awsome beauty of the reef, some trips offer submersibles so you can see the reef without diving, and most have glass bottom boats
the reef is something you must experience if you are ever in Queensland, and if you want to learn to dive what better plce in the world to learn than here ? the depth of the reef varies considerably, in some places you can see it breaking through the waves, but its down deep that you see the really beautiful parts of it
Port Douglas - St Mary's Church by the Sea
by pugwashman
This tiny little church is on the edge of town and can easily be overlooked, but it is worth going to see while you're in the area. I've never been in a church with a better view, as behind the altar there is a large window with stunning views of the Daintree Rainforest and estuary. The other reason for visiting this church is an excellent beachside cafe near by called the Soul & Pepper (see restaurant tips)
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Around Chillagoe
James Cook University
Lake Eachem
The Cairns esplanade heading north.
