Okay lets get it out of the way first. YES Cairns is super touristy. But how could it not be, just look at its situation to the east the barrier reef, to the north the atherton tablelands and the northern beaches. So where to? Well Japukai Cultural Park is a nice day out or hire a car and go up to the tableands to see gorgeous crater lakes, see if you can spot the fresh water turtles. Check out the Curtain Fig Tree and the Twin Kaori Pines and find all those waterfalls. Go for a swim at Mosman Gorge - trust me, it is refreshing. Take your time and explore, I think you will enjoy it. P.S get the BEST apple pie from the boardwalk cafe the pier. See I do not keep all the good stuff to myself.

First time there; great for shopping and touristy things though found it expensive. I would hate to have children . The Atherton tablelands and daintree was all i expected and loved . Very disappointed in the crystal caves in Atherton, tho made up for it with a great meal at a local pub . Cape tribulation was a very big let down after all that getaway raves about beaches and swimming are far much better where i live . Loved paronella park tho i believe they should not charge quite as much for entry when u aren't staying there was very disappointing. I never got to go to the Chillagoes caves and the Undara lava tubes, but maybe another time I think maybe best way is to hire a camper van to allow yourself to do these things . I made a mistake of booking into one place the whole time I was there; maybe best to not tie yourself down so can do the other things such as over night trips ( so i was told at tourist information places)

Bit quieter back then to what it is now. Still visit there quite often to catch up with old friends. Heaps to see and do, from the daintree up north to white water rafting in the Tully further south, dive the great barrier reef, or simply soak up the sun one one of the many beaches and have a beer or 3.Top spot.

cairns is nice place for people who love nature. The great barrier-reef is simply wonderful. Locals are nice, cooperative. You may encounter some time a tall, dark aborginals, who are basically simple and peace loving, but some time horrible, especially during the night hours and in drunken state. Leaving aside everything, the nature lovers can find the place highly interesting.

It's amazing how close by (well, sort of) the city itself is to so many of the other attractions like the reef and rainforests.