In Cairns, Australia for a short period of time and wondering how best to spend it? Check out this itinerary of how I spent 2 days in the coastal city of Cairns.
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- Intro
- Getting to Cairns
- Getting Around Cairns
- Where to Stay in Cairns
- Recommended Cairns Tours & Activities
- CAIRNS 2-DAY ITINERARY
- Final Words
Check Out
Intro
Cairns is a laidback coastal city located in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is the gateway to the famous Great Barrier Reef as well as lush tropical adventures. BUT there’s plenty to enjoy in town as well. This 2-day itinerary in Cairns will explore the Esplanade and dive into the underwater wonders of the reef. Of course, feel free to tailor this itinerary to fit your own interests, pace, and/or schedule.
Getting to Cairns
Cairns has its own airport that you can fly into: Cairns Airport (CNS). It is about a 10 minute drive away from central Cairns City area, and using Uber is the most convenient way to get there.
Getting Around Cairns
Once you’re in the central Cairns City area, especially near the Esplanade and Marina Pointareas, then you can pretty much walk everywhere. Most tours also do pick up from your hotel, and the Reef Terminal is also a short walk to get to as well.
Where to Stay in Cairns
The most convenient area to stay in is in Cairns City and closer to Cairns Marina Point. I stayed at The Abbott Boutique Hotel which was located in a convenient area where everything was nicely within walking distance.
Book the same stay by clicking here or add your dates and click “Search” for availability in the widget below:
Otherwise, search for your Cairns stay in the map below. All points of interest mentioned in this itinerary are also marked for convenience:
Recommended Cairns Tours & Activities
Book unforgettable experiences and check out the below recommended Cairns tours, activities and attractions that are mentioned throughout this post:
CAIRNS 2-DAY ITINERARY
The above map shows all the points of interest mentioned in this Cairns itinerary. The points are color-coordinated as:
- Day 1 Points of Interest → BLUE
- Day 2 Points of Interest → YELLOW
HOW TO USE THE ABOVE CAIRNS MAP:
| Action | Description / Step-by-Step Instructions |
|---|---|
| Click a Colored Star Point of Interest | Shows additional information and details of the selected Point of Interest |
| Click the STAR ☆ right of the “Cairns, Australia“ | Adds the Map to your personal Google Maps account for viewing* |
| Click the Four-cornered Square at the Top Right | Opens the map in a Larger Map view in your personal Google Maps account |
| *To view the Map in your Google Maps Account (computer) | In your Google Maps, Click the “hamburger” Menu at top left → Click “Saved” → Click “Maps” → Locate “Cairns, Australia” → Click it to open the Map |
| *To view the Map in your Google Maps Account (phone) | In your Google Maps app, Click “Saved” on the bottom bar → Scroll to the bottom → Click “Maps” → Locate “Cairns, Australia” → Click it to open the Map |
Day 1: Relax and Explore the City
Late Morning/Midday: Brunch
Start your Cairns trip with some sustenance. Get some breakfast/lunch/brunch around the Esplanade. We opted to eat at Perotta’s at the Gallery and found the Crab Benedict to be delicious! Afterwards, walk around the Esplanade and explore and get to know the area a bit.
Exploring Cairns and Brunch at Perotta’s • photos by Jeanie A
Afternoon: Chill at Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is a large saltwater swimming area that’s perfect for a low-key day of sunbathing, swimming, and people-watching. There is no entrance fee to the lagoon and there are lifeguards patrolling, which make visiting the Lagoon a scenic (and safe) way to spend your first day in Cairns.
If you don’t have beach towels from your hotel, you can rent beach towels at the convenience store in the esplanade lagoon area. We rented 2 beach towels and was to return it by 4 PM that day.
You can get your own spot around the lagoon to chill and sunbathe, and where you can leave your things at while you enjoy the lagoon. We never felt our belonging weren’t safe, but we did put it in an area where we always had our eye on it from the pool.
The lagoon faces directly outward to the ocean where you can enjoy views of it, as well as watch people walking by. Also, there are fountains in the lagoon that spurt water high into the air to add a fun factor to being in the lagoon. This was a nice introduction to this coastal city where we were able to just relax in the waters, enjoy the views of the Coral sea, and get some sunbathing in before heading out to the reef the day after.
Esplanade Lagoon • photos by Jeanie A
Evening: Dinner along the Waterfront
After a day of lounging in the sun, find some dinner along the Waterfront! There’s a bunch of restaurants you can choose from. We opted to eat at the Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse where I enjoyed a hearty meal of ribs. And it was delicious!!! The restaurant has an excellent menu and a vibrant atmosphere with views of the marina.
Ribs and a Marina View • photos by Jeanie A
Night: Explore the Cairns Night Markets
End your first night of your 2-day itinerary in Cairns by wandering through the Cairns Night Market. It is open every night and has a ton of stalls. We saw stalls that sell tons of souvenirs, handmade crafts, and there was even massage booths where you can get a relaxing massage. Not only that but there is a food court as well that offers mainly Asian street food and also desserts!
We purchased all our Australia souvenirs at these markets, and found some pretty cool Great Barrier Reef T-shirts! There was also an ice cream spot right around the corner where I was able to enjoy some ice cream with a gluten-free waffle cone 🙂
Cairns Night Markets • photos by Jeanie A
Day 2: Great Barrier Reef Adventure
Full Day Great Barrier Reef Tour
A trip to Cairns would be incomplete if you don’t have a Great Barrier Reef Adventure! Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is a huge bucket list experience of mine so I made it a point to spend a day on the reef.
Tickets
There are numerous Great Barrier Reef tours that are offered, but I opted to go with a reef tour with Down Under Cruise & Dive. To experience the exact tour I went on, click here or click the “Book Now” in the widget below:
Tour Inclusions
I chose this particular tour because it includes so many activities! Not only does it include a boat ride on a large boat with multiple decks and plenty of restrooms, but it also offers numerous snorkeling opportunities, as well as the option to scuba dive! I am scuba certified, but my fiancé is not, so it was important to me to find a tour that offers introductory dives, and this tour certainly fit the bill and far exceeded my expectations as well.
Check out my full review of this tour at Great Barrier Reef Adventure with Down Under Cruise & Dive from Cairns – Everything You Need to Know
The tour also offers certified dives for those who are certified as well. Not only that, but you can also opt to do the Helicopter Ride over a reef! While on the tour itself, there were also two more add-ons as well. You can take a snorkel-swim with a biologist where they will take you away from the main snorkel area and explore the reef paired with commentary about the sea life below. Another cool add-on was going on a semi-submersible where you can admire the underwater reef without getting wet.
Lunch is also included and served on board and a free glass of wine was given out too! This was a fantastic tour and I can’t recommend it enough!
Great Barrier Reef Tour: Snorkel, Scuba Dive, Helicopter, and Semi-Submersible • photos by Jeanie A
Evening/Night: Dinner & Drinks along the Waterfront
After having a fun-filled day at the reef, end your time in Cairns with dinner and drinks along the waterfront! We opted to go to Dundees on the Waterfront because it was recommended to us by a local. It is a bit upscale yet also relaxed at the same time. There will also probably be a wait, especially for large groups. But I found the food to be delicious! They serve fresh local seafood and I enjoyed their mango margarita.
After dinner, then take a short stroll to Salt House, a stylish bar located right on the waterfront. It has open-air seating, cozy fire pits, and lit tiki torches and string lights to set the mood. Here, get some drinks to cheers your time well-spent on your tropical getaway in Cairns.
Last night in Cairns • photos by Jeanie A
Final Words
The tropical laidback coastal city of Cairns is an unforgettable destination that can offer a perfect balance of adventure and downtime. In just 2 days in Cairns, you can get the best of relaxation, reef adventure, and delicious dining in one itinerary. I hope this 2-day itinerary in Cairns helps you plan your trip! Bon Voyage!
Have you been to Cairns, Australia?
What was your experience like – Let me know in the comments below!
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