Looking for a place to head with the family where it’s almost always warm? Tropical North Queensland might just be the destination for you! With a plethora of attractions, there’s a bounty of things to do in Cairns with kids, making it an ideal getaway spot for the whole family. Which things to do in Cairns with kids will you check off your list?
We headed north for 10 days dividing our time between Cairns, Port Douglas and Palm Cove so we could find out exactly what this destination can offer in the way of family fun.
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Things to do in Cairns with Kids
Table of Contents
So where to start? We’ve tried to gather together some of our favourite things to do in Cairns with kids so you will have an amazing adventure when you head to Tropical North Queensland.
Cairns Esplanade
When staying in Cairns with kids, heading to the Cairns Esplanade is a must. It boasts a plethora of different activities and they are all FREE! Of course, there are also numerous places to eat and drink making it a destination to include on your itinerary. It’s one of our top things to do in Cairns with kids as it has so many things to do.
Cairns Esplanade Swimming Lagoon
People often don’t realise that Carins itself does not have a beach suitable for swimming. In fact, when on the Esplanade you will note the amazing mudflat. The Cairns Esplanade Swimming Lagoon is Cairns answer to this – an enormous FREE swimming lagoon, making it one of the top things to do with kids in Cairns.
The Cairns Esplanade Swimming Lagoon is such a lovely spot to enjoy with the kids. It has sweeping views of the mountains, often has a cool ocean breeze and also has a lot of grass if you would like to enjoy a picnic on your visit.
Address: 52/54 Esplanade, Cairns City
Open: Open all year around. Thursday to Tuesday 6.00am to 9.00pm | Wednesday 12.00pm to 9.00pm (closed for weekly maintenance until midday) |Public holidays 6.00am to 9.00pm
Website: Head to the Cairns Lagoon Update page for details
Muddy’s Playground
When it comes to playgrounds Muddy’s Playground is pretty amazing despite not having any huge towers or sweeping slides. It proved to be one of Sunshine’s favourite places in Cairns and she was reluctant to leave.
Muddy’s Playground features so many different pieces of equipment ensuring that every kid that walks through the gates will love playing somewhere within the playground. There are forts, swings, water play areas, music equipment, and our favourite, a double hamster wheel.
One of the things that we loved about Muddy’s Playground was that it was so clean. We watched council workers test the water in the play fountains almost every day that we attended, and the bathrooms were spotless. If the kids to exert a little energy this is the cheapest of the things to do in Cairns with kids and quite possibly the best!
For the full coverage of our visit to Muddy’s Playground, head to our Cairns Playground post.
Address: Cairns Esplanade, Cairns City
Open: 9.00 am – 7.00 pm daily
Cairns Aquarium
Image: Cairns Aquarium Facebook Page
Cairns Aquarium is a short walk from the esplanade and renowned for being the only aquarium in the world dedicated exclusively to Tropical North Queensland species, featuring 71 habitats!
Open every day of the year INCLUDING Christmas Day, the Cairns Aquarium looks after around 16,000 animals and gets you up and close to some of the most beautiful animals of the reef, some of the most dangerous and the most fascinating. It’s a great way to view so many of Queensland’s aquatic life.
Address: 5 Florence St, Cairns City
Open: Open Everyday 365 days of the year | 9am – 5pm | Last admissions 4pm
Website: www.cairnsaquarium.com.au
Cairns Aquarium is currently $126.00 per family to attend. Klook is offering discounted entry to Cairns Aquarium. Click here to purchase your discounted Cairns Aquarium tickets.
Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome
Image: Cairns Zoom Facebook Page
What’s great about Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome is that it is an all-weather attraction making it a great place to head when it’s a little wet outside. The wildlife space itself is captured within a 20-metre high glass dome – it almost feels like you are in your own snow globe.
Address: The Reef Hotel Casino, 35-41 Wharf St, Cairns City
Open: 9.00 am – 6:15pm | Last koala photos are taken at 6:30pm and last entry is at 5pm | Closed Christmas Day
Website: cairnszoom.com.au
Admission to the Wildlife section is around $65.00 per family however the attraction also boasts a number of high ropes courses which do attract and add-on fee. Klook is offering discounted entry to Carins Zoom and Wildlife Dome. Click here to purchase your discounted Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome tickets.
Great Barrier Reef Island Adventures
It almost feels like sacrilege to visit Tropical North Queensland and not head out to the Great Barrier Reef for a little exploration after all it is one of the natural wonders of our world. It simply could not be omitted from our list of things to do in Cairns with kids. However, when travelling with kids, especially those not so familiar with the ocean, travels to the outer reef may just be a little scary as you will be swimming in open water. For that reason, on our first trip to the Great Barrier Reef, we chose to explore the islands.
Frankland Islands
The Frankland Islands group lies around 10 km offshore from the mouth of the Russell and Mulgrave Rivers at Russell Heads. The group consists of High, Normanby, Mabel, Round and Russell islands, all of which were declared a national park back in 1936.
The islands, despite being so close to the mainland, are fairly isolated and have no infrastructure. There are a few picnic tables and a couple of walking trails, but that’s it. The islands do boast some amazing fringing reefs where turtles, dugongs, fish and coral can be observed.
With a limit of 100 visitors per day, we liked the idea of heading out to Frankland Islands as it appealed to our need for serenity away from the daily grind of everyday life. We booked a family excursion to Normandy Island via Frankland Islands Cruises.
Typically, the best snorkelling is on the north and south-west sides of Normanby Reef. For kids, Frankland Islands Cruises provides everything you need to enjoy your snorkelling adventure including floatation devices and stinger suits (during stinger season). The beaches are also coral sand, so pack your reef shoes!
Address: Accessible through Frankland Island Tours | 240 Severin Street, Parramatta Park
Open: Daily departure
Website: Head to www.franklandislands.com.au for full details of current packages which include transfers to and from the island, semi-sub tour, full snorkelling tour, an island tour with a marine biologist and lunch.
Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island is a pristine island a mere 45 minutes cruise from Cairns. It’s an absolutely beautiful island resort which is great for children, with beautiful beaches to explore with incredible fringing reefs, and some great walks too. If you need to visit just one island on your adventure this our top recommendation for things to do in Cairns with kids that involves the reef.
You can choose to head to Fitzroy Island for a day or you can stay for a night or more. There are a small number of transfers to the island each day, making it quite accessible to families hoping to experience the Great Barrier Reef easily.
Fitzroy Island also features a Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, a cafe, a dive shop and great toilet facilities. It is one of our favourite Tropical North Queensland destinations and we WILL be back!
On our visit, we booked our transit to and from the island direct through Fitzroy Island which was around $211 for the four of us. This did not include any equipment. We hired snorkeling equipment, less flippers (they were all booked out) for $20.00 each. We headed straight to Nudey Beach, and spent the day there as we didn’t have access to any other water sports.
Address: Fitzroy Island is a continental island out from Djujbirri, 29 km south-east of Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Open: Daily departures from Cairns.
Website: Klook’s current deal offers you transit to and from Cairns, Snorkeling equipment, paddle skis, stand up paddle board, ocean trampoline and a glass bottom boat experience. Head to klook for full details of their Fitzroy Island experience.
Green Island
Green Island is one of the most visited islands off Cairns. It is a coral cay and takes around 45 minutes to reach by water. It boasts glorious white sandy beaches and coral reefs abundant with marine life.
The easiest way to experience Green Island is via one of the daily tours. Typical packages provide the opportunity to not only snorkel but utilise semi submarines or head out on the glass-bottom boat.
Like Fitzroy Island, you can head out for a day trip or spend a night or two on the island.
Address: Green Island, Queensland
Open: Daily departures
Website: Klook currently offers a family package that includes transit to Green Island via a high-speed luxury catamaran cruise, glass-bottom boat coral viewing tour, free use of island swimming pool and day visitor facilities on Green Island, snorkel equipment hire and self-guided eco island walk. Head to Klook to book your Green Island tour.
Day Trips from Cairns
Cairns itself is the gateway to quite a number of additional activities in Tropical North Queensland. We divided our time between Cairns, Port Douglas and Palm Cove with the hope of accessing each of these areas.
Kuranda
With a distance of around 25km north west of Cairns, Kuranda village is a gorgeous mountain retreat from the beachy feel of the oceanside townships we stayed in. It has a similar feel to the Blue Mountains if you’ve ventured up there, albeit with a tropical climate.
Read about our GOLD CLASS Kuranda Scenic Railway experience. Click here.
Kuranda boasts a number of attractions to keep you busy for a whole day or more, but for us it was the journey up that was most spectacular. Kuranda Scenic Railway leaves Cairns Station twice a day and heads up to Kuranda, showcasing the mountains, waterfalls and some of the most amazing views on the way up. You can either take it back down again after exploring Kuranda or head back to town via the Skyrail.
Once at Kuranda Village you could spend your time exploring the village shops and cafes before heading down, or enjoy a visit to The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Rainforestation Nature Park, Birdworld Kuranda, Kuranda Koala Gardens.
Klook offer a package that includes a pickup service and access to both Kuranda Skyrail and the Scenic Railway for families. Head to Klook for full details.
Atherton Tablelands
Head east, climb over the mountains and you will descend onto the Atherton Tablelands. The area is quite huge, so researching where you would like to explore beforehand is probably a good idea.
Our top recommendations are:
Paronella Park which has quite a depth of Spanish Influence and its very own Castle.
Gallo Dairyland where you can tour the working dairy farm whilst taste testing a range of cheese and chocolate.
Tarazali Lakes Aquaculture centre where you can catch and release locally raised fish
Tyrconnel Historic Goldmine to explore the history of gold in Queensland
Curtain Fig Tree, Cathedral Fig Tree and/or Giant Red Cedar tree if you are keen to see some of the oldest trees in the country
Nerada Tea Factory so you can explore one of Australia’s largest producers of tea, sample some teas and possibly spot a Tree Kangaroo
Tolga Bat Hospital to learn all about Australian bat species. Make sure you book in advance for this one as it only open in the afternoon via appointment.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
When you head to Tropical North Queensland there is no doubt that you will spot a saltwater crocodile. Ideally, it will be at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures rather than unexpectedly in the wild. It is a great place to learn about this massive reptile whilst also teaching the kids about what it means to be Croc Aware when visiting this part of Australia.
Opening Hours: 8.30 am to 5.00 pm every day
Address: Captain Cook Highway, Wangetti
Price: Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 Children) $102.50
Website: www.crocodileadventures.com
Head to Klook for a substantial saving on your tour at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.
Mossman
Mossman is located on the Mossman River at the foothills of the Daintree north of Queensland. The township has its own Sugar Cane Mill and it is here that you will discover sugar plantations, sugar cane tramways and a rather large agricultural hub which contrasts with the breathtaking beauty of the native rainforest. It’s a place worth exploring.
We headed to Mossman to enjoy the Mossman Gorge, booking into a Dreamtime Walk tour where a local Aboriginal guide led us through the rainforest teaching us about the flora and fauna, with special learning around the native bush tucker. This is an experience you should fit into your itinerary! You can also do a self-guided tour and enjoy one of the many walking tracks.
Sweet Farm Tours is an interesting entry to an itinerary and a great way to learn about Sugar Cane and Cocoa growing in Tropical North Queensland. With taste testing included, the kids will be impressed.
Daintree Forest
The Daintree Forest is said to be the oldest rainforest in the world, with quite a plethora of unique species of animals and plants, found nowhere else in the world, calling it home. It is an incredible area to explore and one to add to your list with regular cars able to drive through the forest all the way to Cape Tribulation (from which point you will need a 4×4).
Heading there will not be free. There is a small fee to cross the Daintree River on the Ferry which runs throughout the day. Please note that there are minimal amenities from that point, so make sure your tank is full, you have some snacks and plenty of water.
Highlights for kids in the area would be the Daintree Discovery Centre, spotting wild Cassowaries (please don’t approach them), Cape Tribulation Fruit Farm, and some of the beaches (make sure to read the signage – crocodiles roam this area!).
When to visit Cairns
Cairns is touted as a place you can visit any time of the year. This is probably true, but having lived in the Top End for a number of years I prefer to avoid the wet season and head to the tropics during the dry.
Ideally, October is my favoured month as it is just before stinger season, is typically around 30 degrees and the humidity is not a point that sees my back break a sweat as soon as I move outside.
Having said that, the temperature never really dips below 25 degrees all day long, and even in the wet, it is still warm.
| Month | Temperature | Average Days of rainfall |
| January | 31° / 24° | 14 days |
| February | 31° / 24° | 14 days |
| March | 30° / 23° | 15 days |
| April | 29° / 22° | 13 days |
| May | 27° / 20° | 10 days |
| June | 26° / 18° | 6 days |
| July | 26° / 17° | 5 days |
| August | 26° / 17° | 4 days |
| September | 28° / 19° | 3 days |
| October | 29° / 21° | 5 days |
| November | 31° / 22° | 8 days |
| December | 31° / 23° | 10 days |
Where to stay in Cairns – Family Accommodation options
There are three main places you can base yourself in Tropical North Queensland: Cairns, Port Douglas or Palm Cove. Where you stay will be largely determined by your budget, access to transportation and what you like in terms of accommodation. We divided our time between all three as we were unsure which we would like best. All were self-funded.
Riley’s Crystalbrook Collection Resort | Cairns
We wanted a location that was central, had decent sized family rooms, and most importantly, had a great pool. Riley’s is a new hotel with the most spectacular pool in the city. Family rooms are really just interconnecting rooms, but it also means TWO bathrooms
Pullman Sea Temple Port Douglas | Port Douglas
This hotel was recommended to us in our Family Travel Guides Australia community. Initially it seemed to be right outside our price range, but after entering my membership number into the website, prices fee by 30% and they were under budget. #winning. (Accor membership is free and worth it!)
Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore | Palm Cove
We booked this hotel via AirBnB as many of the suites are privately owned. The site boasts 3 pools (one is adults-only) and it is right on the beach front and less than 100 metres from the cafe strip. Perfect for families although, I do recommend a ground floor if you find stairs tricky as there are no elevators.
Things to Consider When Planning a Trip to Cairns with Kids
Stingers and Crocodiles
When it comes to the water in Cairns, you’re 100% safer sticking to your hotel swimming pool when considering a dip to cool down. The waterways and natural springs in the area do have a risk of crocodiles, and the beaches do draw venomous stingers from around November through to April/May each year.
The good news is that stingers and crocodiles like to hug the coast, so the risk of coming across them on the islands or outer a reef decreases. All reputable tours to the islands and outer reef provide stinger suits too to provide further protection.
Cassowaries and Bats
Understanding how to interact with cassowaries and bats is one of the things to do in Cairns with kids you should really know about.
When you head further up north into the Daintree you enter Cassowary territory. They often like to come out on the road, so make sure to keep your eyes open, abide by the speed limit and watch. It is so exciting to see Cassowaries in the wild, however don’t try to approach one as they are wild and have a strong fight response.
Bats in Queensland are known carriers of a number of diseases that can transfer across to humans. They are incredible animals and should be left alone in the wild. Head to one of the wildlife parks if you wish to have a close encounter. If you are scratched or bitten but a bat, make sure you seek immediate medical attention even if you think is is superficial.
Skin Care in Cairns
Cairns is a tropical destination so you will need to be prepared for both the sun and the insects. Make sure to pack a SPF50+ and some good insect repellent.
We are big advocates of long sleeve rash vests too. Luckily, they are gaining in popularity with most brands releasing this option. Hopefully this will expand over time!
When heading to some islands, note whether they have coral sand. You may like to invest in reef shoes to protect your feet and make walking easier. Cairns does have a Kmart where we found reef shoes for under $10 each. They are not available for hire anywhere in Cairns (and realistically, who wants to share shoes!!)
Getting to Cairns
By Air
Cairns boasts an international airport with Australia’s four carriers, Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar and Tiger, all travelling here daily. Prices vary depending on your departure city. Flights can be pricey. We recommend tracking Airline flight deals for bargains.
By Car
Cairns is quite far from all Australian state capitals, however, the roads to Cairns are well maintained making the trip, whilst long, relatively easy. There are numerous petrol stations along the road from Brisbane to Cairns, and you could easily do this trek in a sedan.
By Train
The Spirit of Queensland travels between Brisbane and Cairns 5 times a week providing a unique way to see quite an expanse of Queensland. The total distance is around 1681km and takes 24 hours. I’m keen!
By Boat
Some travellers love travelling by water and this is possible with a little preplanning. A number of cruises dock near Cairns on regular intervals. Head to Carnival Cruises and P&O for details
We will be updating the Kid Bucket List with further details of great places to visit in Queensland. Watch this space!
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