Overview
Take a trip to Cairns on your Australia Vacation
Cairns is a small city and Australia vacation staple in the tropical north of Queensland, best known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. It enjoys easy access to mountainous rainforests including the ancient Daintree, the oldest rainforest on earth. Offshore, you can enjoy world-class diving or snorkeling, getting close to schools of tropical fish and abundant marine life.
As you stroll along Cairns' Promenade, dip your toes in the very large saltwater lagoon, or shop for souvenirs and tasty treats at the Cairns Night Market. Follow the picturesque coastal drive towards Port Douglas, where most cruises depart for the Great Barrier Reef. Hop on the century-old scenic train to the rainforest village of Kuranda, the perfect spot to take in an Aboriginal “Dreamtime” walk and cultural performance. or an army duck river safari through Rainforestation Nature Park.
To the north of Cairns are a number of excellent beaches perfect for swimming and snorkeling in the winter months. If time allows, don't miss a trip to the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest, where you can explore the trails or experience a unique guided rainforest tour.
Including at least one of our Cairns tours in your Australia vacation is essential, as this tropical city, with its Great Barrier Reef and stunning rainforests, won't disappoint.
At a Glance
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Unforgettable Journeys.19 Trips Found
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19 Trips Found
Classic Australia: Sydney, Uluru, Reef & Melbourne
Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Victoria, and MelbourneDiscover Australia on an independent journey through harbour, reef, desert and city, where vibrant culture meets extraordinary natural beauty.
12 days
From US$4,747/p.p.
Request a Quote
Aussie Fly & Stay: Melbourne, Great Barrier Reef & Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Victoria, and MelbourneDiscover Australia on an air inclusive trip, mixing Independent and Small group touring, with coral reefs, ancient rainforest, wild coastlines, wildlife and harbour views.
12 days
From US$4,299/p.p.
Request a Quote
Pacific Coast Road Trip: Sydney to Cairns
Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays, Brisbane, New South Wales, Hunter Valley, Sydney, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachSet off along Australia's captivating east coast, where vineyards meet golden sands. From Hunter Valley's wines to Cairns’ tropical allure, this classic road trip beckons.
20 days
From US$4,785/p.p.
Request a Quote
Classic Downunder: New Zealand & Australia
Victoria, Melbourne, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Christchurch, Rotorua, and AucklandVenture through New Zealand and Australia, where ancient landscapes meet cities. From Auckland's museums to the Great Barrier Reef's wonders, each stop tells a story.
22 days
From US$8,457/p.p.
Request a Quote
Ultimate Australia: A Luxury Journey
Victoria, Melbourne, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachA luxury, private-guided Australia journey pairs harbour sparkle, ancient rainforest, red desert silence, and reef-blue horizons in one unforgettable escape.
15 days
From US$19,325/p.p.
Request a Quote
Rail, Reef & Islands: Queensland's Coastal Journey
Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, and WhitsundaysJourney along Australia's stunning east coast from Brisbane to Cairns. Enjoy two spectacular rail journeys, a Great Barrier Reef adventure, Fraser Island safari, and more.
11 days
From US$3,197/p.p.
Request a Quote
Australia Soul, Sea & Wellness
Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, New South Wales, Sydney, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachUnwind and rejuvenate on a wellness retreat across Australia. Experience the lively atmosphere of Sydney, the calming vibes of Byron Bay, and the tranquil shores of Palm Cove.
13 days
From US$5,212/p.p.
Request a Quote
Highlights of Downunder: Australia & New Zealand
Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Rotorua, and AucklandDiscover the stunning landscapes of Australia and New Zealand. Experience lush rainforests, wildlife, and cultural feasts, culminating in breathtaking scenery
14 days
From US$4,781/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
Classic Australia: Sydney, Uluru, Reef & Melbourne
Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Victoria, and MelbourneDiscover Australia on an independent journey through harbour, reef, desert and city, where vibrant culture meets extraordinary natural beauty.
12 days
From US$4,747/p.p.
Request a Quote
Aussie Fly & Stay: Melbourne, Great Barrier Reef & Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Victoria, and MelbourneDiscover Australia on an air inclusive trip, mixing Independent and Small group touring, with coral reefs, ancient rainforest, wild coastlines, wildlife and harbour views.
12 days
From US$4,299/p.p.
Request a Quote
Pacific Coast Road Trip: Sydney to Cairns
Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays, Brisbane, New South Wales, Hunter Valley, Sydney, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachSet off along Australia's captivating east coast, where vineyards meet golden sands. From Hunter Valley's wines to Cairns’ tropical allure, this classic road trip beckons.
20 days
From US$4,785/p.p.
Request a Quote
Classic Downunder: New Zealand & Australia
Victoria, Melbourne, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Christchurch, Rotorua, and AucklandVenture through New Zealand and Australia, where ancient landscapes meet cities. From Auckland's museums to the Great Barrier Reef's wonders, each stop tells a story.
22 days
From US$8,457/p.p.
Request a Quote
Ultimate Australia: A Luxury Journey
Victoria, Melbourne, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachA luxury, private-guided Australia journey pairs harbour sparkle, ancient rainforest, red desert silence, and reef-blue horizons in one unforgettable escape.
15 days
From US$19,325/p.p.
Request a Quote
Rail, Reef & Islands: Queensland's Coastal Journey
Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, and WhitsundaysJourney along Australia's stunning east coast from Brisbane to Cairns. Enjoy two spectacular rail journeys, a Great Barrier Reef adventure, Fraser Island safari, and more.
11 days
From US$3,197/p.p.
Request a Quote
Australia Soul, Sea & Wellness
Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, New South Wales, Sydney, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi BeachUnwind and rejuvenate on a wellness retreat across Australia. Experience the lively atmosphere of Sydney, the calming vibes of Byron Bay, and the tranquil shores of Palm Cove.
13 days
From US$5,212/p.p.
Request a Quote
Highlights of Downunder: Australia & New Zealand
Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Rotorua, and AucklandDiscover the stunning landscapes of Australia and New Zealand. Experience lush rainforests, wildlife, and cultural feasts, culminating in breathtaking scenery
14 days
From US$4,781/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
What do the experts say?
Tasmania is under the radar for many travelers, but it’s great for hikes, natural landscapes and now modern art!
Sydney and Melbourne are a great combination for first-time visitors to Australia, with Brisbane, Adelaide and/or the Outback added in, depending on how much time you have. Returnees should take in Perth, Darwin and the Kakadu National Park area and/or Tasmania if they can, plus spend some time in the cities they loved the first time around
It might sound cliche, but you really can visit year-round. Australia is a big country, so there is always somewhere with amazing weather!
Goway’s trips to Australia are not stock itineraries. We can put together trips of a few weeks or a few months, allowing you to see as much of the land Downunder as you can. And we offer a mix of travel options, from self-drives to train journeys to long stays.
Goway has partnerships with many unique inns and hotels in Australia. Among the most memorable are Qualia on Hamilton Island, Longitude 131 at Uluru and Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island.
Most Popular Time to Travel
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Place
Conditions
Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
CairnsPartly Cloudy
33°C / 91°F
25mm / 1.0"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
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ExcellentBased on 5,306 ReviewsWe have used Goway several times to plan simple & more complicated trips. The last 2 trips we worked with Brooke Theron who is extremely customer focused. She listens well & is alway flexible to look at alternatives. We will continue using this representative & Goway.
Our only criticism is that they do not break down the various costs of a trip which makes tipping very awkward. It can also create a sense of " mistrust" when all the costs are not transparent. Cheryl HayesOur trip to Switzerland was an amazing experience. Our travel agent at GoWay, Bo was so helpful in helping my husband Louie plan just what we wanted to do on this trip. Taking the trains thru the county was easy by the many hours Louie and Bo worked on this. Also our helicopter ride in Zermatt on my birthday was just unbelievable. Flying around the Matterhorn and the Alps is one flight we will never forget. Thanks Bo for setting this up. The trip was one incredible adventure that we will never forget. Thanks again Bo, Lynn Gerber. Lynn GerberWe booked a Goway tour to Botswana and Zimbabwe and it was excellent. We worked with Brooke, the Goway represntative, to set up the tour and she was an outstanding agent who answered any questions we had very quickly and completely. Her hotel recommendation for the additional night we stayed was pefect.
Goway hires a local tour group, Jenman Safaris, to lead the safari in the 2 countries. The tour itself was amazing...the lodges that we stayed at were very nice and the food was great (except for one lodge's food). The Goway itinerary was slightly different than the actual Jenman Safari itinerary but most of the sites that we went to were the same as listed on the Goway itinerary. I would use Goway again because their choice of a local tour group was very good...nice lodges/camps and good food and knowledgeable tour guides.Ma FaOur GoWay tour representative, Michael Keon, was on top of all of our concerns and questions in a professional manner and we look forward to working with him in the future. Michael was very easy to work with and treated us like family.ThomasMatthew handled my honeymoon couple's very specific African itinerary like a pro! My clients went to four different travel agents who only wanted to send them on safaris. My clients had already done safaris and were specific on what they wanted to do and see. Matthew hit the nail on the head! Highly recommend!Amanda SchottSeamless prompt excellent communication from our first query about a possible destination to follow-up after the trip ended. Shalini’s knowledge, advice and enthusiasm were invaluable. JaneJacqueline Fagioli from Goaway Travel is excellent and very helpful and supportive. VenessaOur travel agent, Melissa Moses, created the perfect itinerary for our recent holiday to Portugal. Melissa had also planned our previous trip to England/Scotland. We have a great deal of confidence in her ability as she really listens to what we are looking for and she caters the plans according to our comfort levels and interests. customerJacqueline F. made our trip exceptional. Everything she planned or reserved worked out as it was supposed to. Croatia was amazing and I feel we were able to explore a lot of it because of Jacqueline.AllenThis was the first time we had utilized Goway. We wanted a custom itinerary for a 3 week Italy, Athens and Greek Island adventure. Edwina Brislane was receptive to our goals for the trip, had helpful suggestions and reacted well to our requested revisions. Lisa Dachuk helped "tie a ribbon" on the trip and ensured we had considered all aspects of the experience. Lisa dealt quickly with a couple of requests while on the trip and celebrated a successful trip with us.
We enjoyed working with both Edwina and Lisa. Their knowledge and enthusiasm contributed to our very memorable trip.Dan & Gail
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