| Tips and photos of unusual, out-of-the-way Cairns attractions, posted by real travelers and locals. Cairns Map |
 | Cairns Off the Beaten Path | Tips 1 - 10 of 39 |  |
 Me & my parents at Mossman
Gorge by sue_stone
The gorge area is ideal for a walk (on the marked trail of course), so you can see the interesting rainforest plants, and learn more about them by reading the signs along the way. You may also be lucky enough to spot some wildlife - be it a turtle in the river or a beautiful butterfly flitting amongst the trees.
There are toilets and a picnic area near the car park, but no camping facilities.
From Cairns, travel north for 80km along the Cook Highway to Mossman. In the centre of Mossman turn left into Johnston Road. This 5km bitumen road leads directly to the Mossman Gorge car park. Leave a Comment
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On our first visit to Far North Queensland we took a trip out to the Low Isles. Located 15km from Port Douglas (one hour north of Cairns), the Low Isles is a large coral cay surrounded by many different species of hard and soft corals.
This beautiful coral island is the prefect place for beginner snorkellers and families. There is a sandy beach to relax on, and calm water to swim and snorkel in.
We travelled out there on the Quicksilver Wavedancer, which departs most days from Port Douglas Harbour. We really enjoyed the trip and made use of their snorkelling equipment to get up close with the local underwater life.
If you are susceptible to seasickness (as I am) you may want to have your tablets on hand - on the trip back to Port Douglas the wind had picked up and it was pretty choppy.
There is a shuttle bus that travels up from Cairns to Port Douglas - details on the website Leave a Comment
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Located just one hours drive north of Cairns is my favourite town in the area, Port Douglas. Smaller than Cairns, Port Douglas has a real community feel about it. Yes, it has 5 star resorts, but doesn't has that tourist vibe like Cairns has (well, in my opinion anyway!).
The drive up to Port Douglas is stunning - the narrow highway hugs the coast line for part of the journey and the views are stunning. There are a couple of view points along the way where you can stop and check out the view.
Port Douglas is on a point, with the beach on one side and the harbour on the other. It has a lively market each Sunday which sees the whole town come out to shop and socialise. Home to lots of great cafes and modern restaurants, you can also go back to basics and enjoy a meal or a drink on the veranda at the Combined Club and watch the stunning sunsets.
Port Douglas is also a base for trips out to the Great Barrier Reef - with regular tours being run out to the Low Isles and beyond.
I would highly recommend it for a day trip....or longer. In fact, scrap staying in Cairns and head here instead! Leave a Comment
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 Waterfront by dlandtLeave a Comment
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 by bijo69
Shouldn't you have your own vehicle, most tours to Cape Tribulation do stop here. Leave a Comment
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 Millaa Millaa Falls by grkboiler
See my Millaa Millaa page for more info and pictures. Leave a Comment
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This tropical walking track is mainly used by locals and is an unmanaged trail through State Forest;it is a 3.5 kilometre return walk that takes approx 1.1/2 hours to complete.
Lake Morris Road starts half way along Reservoir Road at the base of the Whitfield Range.
This narrow winding scenic drive with great views of Cairns and Trinity Inlet.
Set the car odometer at the start of Lake Morris Road and travel 10 klms to an inconspicuous dirt road on your left,directly under the high voltage power feeder lines on Mnt Sheridan.There is a locked gate across the track to prevent vehicles from entering,follow the track up to the red pylons where you will get a great view,then turn a sharp right and begin the climb to the top which is 605 metres above sea level.A narrow foot track skirts around the security fence to the rear of the tower compound,where the unmarked walking track to White Rock Peak begins.This track is only sparodically marked with a variety of tapes,and in itself not very conspicuous.Even if you are an experienced bushwalker it is essential to stay on the track,never leave it to explore as you may not find it again.Don't forget to take water with you.
This pristine rainforest walk follows a sharp ridgeline,with Cairns down the mountain to the east and endless rainforest wilderness and Lake Morris to the west.Huge eucalypts encased by webbed nets of strangling figs contrast with the buttressed rainforest trees.You will see a variety of palms,ferns and lichen on this track.Keep going until you find a flagged white steel post--this is White Rock peak.The pinnacle has a birds eye view of the area.The walk is rated as being moderate. Other Contact: National Parks or Cairns park ra
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There are a couple of ways you can do this trip. Take a tour OR self drive. I suggest that if you feel good about driving, that's the way to go.You can rent a car from one of the many outlets.
Leave Cairns early in the morning, this way you are ahead of the tour buses:)
I would leave around 6.30am, head north on the Cook Highway to Port Douglas, stop here for a coffee and breakfast, have a look around this lovely village and then out to Mossman Gorge.
You can spend at least 1 or 2 hours here, walking round under the Rainforest Canopy. Beautiful! Once you have left Mossman, you head towards the village of Daintree, you can call into Daintree and have a look around, then off to the river crossing.You can buy a return ticket for the car barge. Once over the river you head to Cape Tribulation. You can stop along the way, at your leisure.
You can then return that day to Cairns OR stay overnight at Cape Tribulation at a Backpackers or one of the resorts or B & B's
ALL the roads are sealed up to Cape Tribulation. Beyond Cape Tribulation you need a 4x4 and you will need more than a day, staying overnight at Cooktown. Then heading back to Cairns on the sealed road. THIS PART OF THE TRIP IS A DRY WEATHER TRIP ONLY!!!! Leave a Comment
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There are a number of little hidden treasures around Cairns.
You don't have to go far off the beaten track to find them.
Crystal Cascades is one of these lovely places you can visit, especially on a hot/humid day. Here you can swim all year around. Always take care though, as there are deep water holes and follow the rules of not diving into waters you don't know.
Crystal Cascades has a lovely walk along the river bank. Also lots of grassed areas that you can sit on under some lovely rainforest vegetation have a picnic or BBQ on/around.
This is a popular local place.
DANGER...If you decide to go there in the summer months and it has been raining, remember it will be flowing fast. Be very careful.
HOW TO GET THERE....
Before you head out and about around Cairns, grab a map of the local area, a good one is worth the few $'s it will cost.
Find the suburb of Redlynch on your map, head towards this along the Western Arteral Road/Reservoir Road , signs for this will have Redlynch/Freshwater on them.
One you reach Redlynch you will see the signs, it's about 7 k's from the main rd.
There isn,t any public transport to this jewel, also if you grab a cab, remember that there isn't any mobile coverage so you can't call them back!! Leave a Comment
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 Atherton Tablelands by Bwana_BrownLeave a Comment
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- All Seasons Esplanade Hotel
Corner Esplanade & Alpin Streets, Cairns - JJ's Backpackers Hostel
11-13 Charles St, Cairns - Golden Sands Beachfront Resort
12 - 14 Deauville Close Yorkeys Knob Beach, Cairns - Cairns Plaza Hotel
Cnr. The Esplanade & Minnie St., Cairns - Cairns Beach House
239 Sheridan St, Cairns - Prime Trinity Beach Pacific Apartments
56 Trinity Beach Rd, Cairns - Getaways On Grafton
157-159 Grafton Street, Cairns - Mantra Trilogy Resort
101-105 The Esplanade, Cairns - Bohemia Resort
231 McLeod St, Cairns - Melaleuca Resort Palm Cove
85 - 93 Williams Esplanade, Cairns - Comfort Inn Tropical Queenslander
287 Lake St, Cairns - Trinity Links Resort and Apartments
72 Kowinka Street, Cairns - Country Comfort Sunlodge
Cnr Grafton and Florence St, Cairns - Cairns Central YHA Backpackers Hostel
20 - 26 McLeod St, Cairns - North Cove Waterfront Suites
275-277 Esplanade, Cairns
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