Cairns Regional: Nature, Art and Excursions

During a stay in Cairns Regional, you can choose from walking trails, garden and marine environments, art and events. Some of the destinations described are in Cairns, while others are in the surrounding area. Plan your excursions based on whether you would like to spend time outdoors, in exhibitions or at a cultural program.

Trails and green spaces

Four named walking trails run through Mt Whitfield Conservation Park behind the Cairns Botanic Gardens in Edge Hill: Red Arrow, Blue Arrow, Green Arrow and Yellow Arrow. Red Arrow is a 1.3-kilometre circuit in the park. The Cairns Botanic Gardens focus on tropical plants; you can also explore tropical flora and horticulture there.

Another way to get outdoors is the Cairns Esplanade, with 2.5 kilometres of walking and shared-use paths for walking, jogging or running. The Northern Esplanade Activity Precinct also has five beach volleyball courts, four of which meet international standards. As current operating conditions can change, check them before your visit.

Natural attractions nearby

The Cattana Wetlands are an 80-hectare conservation park in the area surrounding the destination. A 420-metre boardwalk passes through a fan palm forest and by freshwater and saltwater lakes; along the way, you may also encounter the area's diverse plant and bird life. You can explore with a self-guided circuit featuring stops and interpretive signs, as well as a circuit along the Franco Cattana Boardwalk. This lets you shape your visit around the landscape and its described stops.

Babinda Boulders is also nearby. The swimming and picnic area is in tropical rainforest at the foot of the Bellenden Ker Range. Along Babinda Creek, granite outcrops form cascades and swimming spots. The creek, rock formations and rainforest define the area; its facilities make this a different kind of excursion from the trails and landscapes right in Cairns. As facility conditions can change, check the latest information before visiting.

Art, museums and events

The Cairns Art Gallery presents exhibitions in three distinctive heritage-listed buildings in the centre of Cairns. A visit to the gallery therefore combines exhibitions with a historic architectural setting. The Cairns Museum offers family-friendly options, including family tickets, audio tours and lunch on the veranda. If you are planning a museum visit with your family, these options may help you decide; check the latest visitor information in advance.

The Cairns Festival is an annual ten-day celebration of arts and culture. The program includes music, comedy, visual arts and family events. Dates vary from year to year, so use the dates for the relevant year when planning. For a visit focused more on markets and local offerings, the Tanks Markets feature local art and crafts, fresh produce, live music, food and refreshments. The mix of stalls varies.

Marine life and exhibition experiences

At Cairns Aquarium, visitors can touch marine animals in a supervised touch tank. The visitor journey leads from rainforest through streams, rivers and mangrove areas to coral reef systems and the Coral Sea. The aquarium therefore offers both a close encounter with marine animals and a progression through different aquatic environments and habitats. Check the latest visitor information about this experience before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Bellenden Ker, Ipswich City, Fraser Coast Regional, Noosa Shire, Gladstone Regional, Rockhampton Regional, Gympie Regional, Cassowary Coast Regional.

For the broader travel overview: Queensland.