Why visit
Cairns is the Great Barrier Reef's main port. Live-aboard dive trips, Daintree rainforest, Kuranda scenic railway, and crocodile-rich river cruises.
Australia at a glance
Country center
-27.0°, 133.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
7,692,024 km²
2,969,906 mi²
Country population
26.6 million
3/km²
Subregion
Australia and New Zealand
Currency
Australian dollar ($)
AUD
Dial
+61
Language
English
Demonym
Australian
Internet
.au
UN
Member state
ISO code
AU / AUS
Where in the world
-27.0° · 133.0°
Australia
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Did you know
- Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system and the only living thing visible from space.
- The Daintree Rainforest nearby is roughly 180 million years old, the oldest continuously surviving rainforest on earth.
- Cairns has no beach: a swimmable lagoon fronts the esplanade because ocean water here is home to saltwater crocodiles and box jellyfish.
- Australia is the only country that occupies an entire continent.
- The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth: visible from space.
Traveler notes
- Outer reef day-trip with snorkel/dive
- Daintree rainforest (UNESCO) + Cape Tribulation
- Kuranda railway + Skyrail cableway loop
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Bring layered clothing and verify trail/park access before arrival.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Cairns
What currency is used in Cairns?
Cairns uses the Australian dollar ($), ISO code AUD.
What languages are spoken in Australia?
The primary language is English.
What is the international calling code for Australia?
The calling code is +61.
Other Oceania destinations
Auckland
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Nadi (Fiji)
Nadi is Fiji's international gateway and the hub for Mamanuca and Yasawa island-hopping. Small itself, worth a day before heading to the islands.
Australia
Australia is continental travel. Sydney Harbour, Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Great Ocean Road, Tasmania's wilderness, and wine country at Margaret River. Distances are American-scale.
Fiji
Fiji is 330 Pacific islands. Yasawas and Mamanucas for beach-bungalow travel, Taveuni for rainforest, and some of the friendliest welcomes on the planet.
Kiribati
Kiribati is a destination in Oceania with coastlines and warm-water travel at its core. Plan around season, swim conditions, and regional island or coastal routes.
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands is a destination in Oceania with coastlines and warm-water travel at its core. Plan around season, swim conditions, and regional island or coastal routes.