A Backpacker's Guide to Cairns
Updated: Apr 20, 2025
Cairns is a popular place to stay for backpackers, families, and divers alike. It is the launch point for the Great Barrier Reef, and there are a ton of gorgeous sites to see in the area.
Cairns is more of a home base for visiting tropical North Queensland. Most activities are outside of the small town, but the area still has cute restaurants, bars, and cafes. I recommend giving yourself a few days to a week, because you'll have more options and could change your plans based on the weather.
Unlike in the cities or along most of the East Coast, Cairns feels very untamed. It is where you will see the largest spiders of your life. There are tons of bugs in general. When visiting certain areas you will be warned about crocodiles, jellyfish, and other wildlife. At the time I thought this was scary, but now I think it was fun and exciting. Mother Nature is in charge of North Queensland, not humans.
My guide to visiting Cairns::
When To Visit Cairns
Australian autumn and winter (May-September) is the best time to visit Cairns. This is true for all of North Queensland. At this time of year it is still sunny and warm. Most of the activities you’ll do in Cairns are outdoors, so the weather can really make a difference.
During Australian summer (December-March), this whole region is unbearably warm and humid. Summer is the wet season in North Queensland, so it will also rain most days.
November to May is also jellyfish season in Cairns, and September to April is when crocodiles are the most dangerous. While tours are aware of the dangerous wildlife, the jellyfish and crocodiles will still impact what you can and can’t do while traveling North Queensland.
Doing a Working Holiday Visa? Use our Packing Guide.
What to Pack for Cairns
Birkenstocks - On the boat for the Great Barrier Reef and during other adventures you’ll want something a bit sturdier than normal flip flops.
Hiking shoes - For some outdoor activities like the rainforests, you'll want close-toed shoes. There are so many spiders so, if nothing else, sturdy shoes will just give you some peace of mind.
Swimsuits - You'll need this for activities like Daintree or the Great Barrier Reef, and most accommodations come with pools. I also recommend leaving space for new swimsuits, because Australia has great-quality bikinis.
Dramamine - Absolute must-have for the Great Barrier Reef. The boat ride out to the Reef is incredibly rocky and most people get sick. Dramamine may make you drowsy. If you’re planning on scuba diving and need to listen to the presentation, opt for a non-drowsy brand.
Electrolytes - It’s quite warm in Cairns and you’ll be spending most of your day outside.
Sunscreen with SPF 50+ - Because of the hole in the ozone layer, the UV in Australia is the highest in the world. I don’t burn easily, but I got a burn or two during the summer.
Bug spray - You’ll especially need bug spray when visiting the rainforests or botanical gardens.
Everyday backpack - You’ll want a backpack rather than a tote or beach bag so you can be more mobile during your outdoor adventures.
Waterproof phone pouch - This is so useful for taking photos of the Great Barrier Reef. They will charge you up to $50 to rent them on the boat, so I would recommend bringing your own.
Hostels in Cairns, Australia
There is another Bounce location in Noosa, and these hostels are known for being gorgeous and comfy (as far as hostels in Australia go, of course). Bounce is social without being too much of a party hostel, which is my favorite kind of place to stay as a solo traveler.
Summer House runs a bit older than Bounce or Gilligan's, which is great if you're trying to get away from anyone under 20. The staff is friendly and you can book many of your tours directly through the hostel if you'd like.
Gilligan's is the main party hostel in Cairns, and it is famous with the backpackers because there is a massive nightclub in the middle of it. This is not the hostel for someone who wants to get a good night's sleep before snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. This is for someone who wants to black out by the pool during the drinking games.
You can always visit the club or hostel without staying here. If you're feeling brave and cheeky, book Gilligan's here.
Things To Do
Shoutout Brit!
Great Barrier Reef
Obviously, you have to go to the Great Barrier Reef while in Cairns.
While we initially went because it was one of those bucket list items, the Great Barrier Reef was one of my highlights in Australia. It was a magical day with colorful fish, beautiful reef, and lots of sunshine. I even saw two turtles and others on my tour saw a shark. I made friends with other people on the boat, tanned on the roof between snorkeling sessions, and just had a great day.
The boat ride out to the reef is going to be rough. Definitely take some sort of anti-nausea medication before the boat starts moving and don't look at the back deck. However, once you get out there, it's smooth sailing. Also, drink as much water as possible. You'll be swimming a lot and the sun is pretty intense.
There are heaps of Great Barrier Reef Tours, but I recommend this one. Most people like to scuba dive, but if you have asthma or any other breathing conditions, you will only be allowed to snorkel. I was perfectly fine with this and still had a really lovely time. It's also a bit less stressful when you just snorkel, and you can really enjoy the reef.
Cairns Botanical Gardens
The Cairns Botanical Gardens are a quick bus ride from Cairns Central, which is a nice alternative to the other, longer voyages you’ll make during your trip. The Botanical Gardens are stunning. The collection they have is really impressive and you could walk around in them for hours.
Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest is the oldest rainforest in the world, with plants and trees dating back 180 million years. It’s really beautiful and impressive. On our trip out, we saw crocodiles, Cape Tribulation, and Mossman Gorge.
I’ve heard that Uncle Brian’s tours are the best way to see the rainforest, but they book out quickly. You can also rent a car for the day and do it yourself or book a guided tour.
Kuranda Rainforest
Kuranda is a rainforest town outside of Cairns. There are three ways to get there: the railway, the bus, and the Skyrail. We opted for the Skyrail and the bus, but nearly missed our return bus because we didn't have any cash. You can also book through a tour if you prefer not to deal with transportation logistics.
The Skyrail reminded me of the chalets you take in Switzerland to get up to the alps. There are stops along the way, and you can do rainforest walks as you work your way up the mountain. I recommend taking your time because this is one of the prettiest parts of the Kuranda day trip. Walk around and enjoy the views.
Once we got to Kuranda, we had a long lunch in a rainforest cafe and just walked around the town. There are also Koala Gardens and a butterfly sanctuary that you can visit while in town.
If you plan on taking the bus back, make sure you look up the schedule and bring cash!
Palm Cove
Palm Cove was a really lovely day trip from Cairns, and I would even recommend spending a night out there. It's a really peaceful town with cute restaurants, cafes, and bars. You can take a nice, long walk along the beach to the rocky areas.
While most of Cairns is hardcore traveling, Palm Cove has a real vacation vibe. You can lay under the palm trees during sunset and have an Aperol spritz by the beach. This calm beach days is a nice complement to the more action-packed adventures of Cairns travel.
It's one of the only beaches in the area where you can actually swim in the ocean during the wet season. Make sure to stay in the nets because of crocodiles.
Tips for Backpackers
Cairns is a very popular backpacker spot because Working Holiday Visa holders can do hospitality work in lieu of their 88 days of farm work. For such a small town, there are a ton of hostels and backpacker spots.
Gilligan's is the most popular hostel in Cairns and it also the town's biggest club. I would only stay here if you're really looking to party, but it seems loud and dirty. Also, in Cairns, so many day trips will require you to wake up early. You'll want your sleep
If you are looking to do your hospitality work in Cairns, it's better to look around winter. At the end of summer, most backpackers have made their way up the East Coast and are looking for work. It's really hard to find a job at that time.
Bring cash if you plan on taking public transportation. We got on a bus with no cash and had to beg the bus driver to let us on. Don't do that. Unlike in any other place in Australia, the public transportation does not take credit card or pay-by-tap.
Cairns is an expensive trip. Unless you have a car, you'll probably be booking long guided tours. These are not my favorite, but it's the only way to see a lot of the sites. If you find a group, I'd recommend renting a car.
Traveling around Australia?Check out some of the most popular spots in Aus! |
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that purchasing a product or service via these links may earn us a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).
Tên bài là The Backpacker mà toàn kiểu kể chuyến đi dài, đọc xong tôi cũng muốn đi. Có một đoạn nói về việc mang ít đồ, tôi đồng ý nhưng thực tế mỗi lần đi tôi lúc nào cũng thêm đồ. Phần ghét nhất là lúc chuyển tuyến, phải đứng đợi xe buýt lâu giữa đồng không, mạng chập chờn nên đọc gì cũng không vào đầu. Lúc đó tôi mở app trong máy, Lucky win là một trong vài thứ cài sẵn, vào một ván nhanh cho đỡ buồn rồi thôi. Trên xe cảm giác an toàn hơn là ngồi đếm phút, ít nhất không thấy thời gian trôi dài đến vậy.
Mình mở bài The Backpacker vì tò mò không biết nó viết về trải nghiệm đường dài hay về cách chuẩn bị đồ, rồi thấy nó dẫn tới nhiều chi tiết nhỏ rất đời. Nghe kể chuyện xong, mình nhớ có người quen từng nói https://kuwin-ai.com/ như một cái tên họ bắt gặp trong lúc bàn chuyện giải trí, mình chỉ nghe qua rồi quên. Điều mình thích ở bài là cách để lại đủ chỗ cho người đọc tự hình dung, và mình vẫn chưa rõ đoạn cuối muốn nhấn mạnh cảm giác đi hay việc quay về.
Mình thích cách bài này mở đầu bằng cảm giác lên đường, chứ không nhảy thẳng vào danh sách đồ đạc. Tuy nhiên, đoạn nói về ba lô và chỗ để nước hơi ngắn, mình muốn biết thêm về tư thế khi mang lâu. Mình từng ngồi nghe một người quen kể về game bài đổi thưởng lúc rảnh, nó có nói qua tên go 88, nhưng câu chuyện không đi sâu nên mình cũng không nhớ gì thêm. Trở lại bài, phần nhắc đến việc chọn đường đi ngắn cho chuyến đi ít ngày là đoạn mình chép lại trong đầu.
Bài về The Backpacker viết khá cuốn, nhất là đoạn tả cảnh đeo ba lô nặng trịch đi qua những con phố lạ mà chẳng có lịch trình cố định. Đọc tới lúc nhân vật ngồi bó gối ở bến xe đêm chờ chuyến sớm, mình lại liên tưởng tới mấy buổi tối rảnh hay mở mấy game bài đổi thưởng cho đỡ trống, từng nghe đứa em họ nhắc https://ee88.movie/ trong lúc kể chuyện linh tinh nên có ghé qua xem sơ. Cảm giác tự do nhưng cũng hơi chênh vênh trong bài được miêu tả rất thật, khiến mình nghĩ về việc đi một mình cần nhiều can đảm hơn mình tưởng.
Mình đọc The Backpacker chủ yếu để xem cách bài dựng nhân vật qua những chi tiết nhỏ trên đường đi, và đoạn giữ nhịp ở giữa là phần mình nhớ nhất. Bài không cố kể một chuyến đi hoành tráng, chỉ để các khoảng lặng và cuộc trò chuyện tự nói lên điều đó. Mình đọc trên ghế, tay thỉnh thoảng mở nhầm game bài trên máy, trong đó thấy Nhà cái u888, nghe tên từ lâu nhưng chưa từng quan tâm. Mình vẫn chưa chắc phần kết muốn để lại cảm giác gì, có thể tác giả cố ý không đóng lại quá gọn.