Kuranda Scenic Railway travelling through the lush landscape of Australia

Things to do in Cairns:

The reef, rainforest & everything in between

If your idea of a good trip is one where you come home more tired than when you left (in the best way), Cairns is going to deliver. Two UNESCO World Heritage sites sitting right next to each other, the Great Barrier Reef on one side and the Daintree Rainforest on the other, and you can genuinely do this justice in a long weekend or a week of leave. No career break, no "one day when I have more time" required. Here's what's actually worth packing into your itinerary, at whatever budget you're working with.

Here's a quick run down:

• Must-do: A Great Barrier Reef cruise, half-day, full-day, or overnight like we did (and would thoroughly recommend!)

• Best half-day adventure: Kuranda via Skyrail and the Scenic Railway

• Best beach + hike combo: Fitzroy Island

• Best season: May to October (dry season)

• Budget option: stack a half-day reef trip with a free arvo on the Esplanade instead of two paid activities back to back

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Head out to the Great Barrier Reef

I mean, I think this one's a non-negotiable. How could you come to Cairns and not explore one of the seven natural wonders of the world!?

Even better there's so many ways to experience it today - snorkel, dive, glass bottom boat - whatever takes your fancy (but you may want to pack/take sea sickness tablets just in case).

Popular reef sites accessed from Cairns include Michaelmas Cay, Moore Reef, Green Island and Hastings Reef, with operators running everything from half-day to full-day snorkelling and diving cruises. Here's how the options stack up by budget:

Under $150: The 2 Islands 1 Day trip to Fitzroy & Green Islands covers two islands in a single day from $139, a solid way to compare the reef's coral-cay vibe against a proper beach-and-hiking island without paying for two separate days out.

$150–$250: This is where most of the serious reef action sits. The Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise runs from $205, the Premium Snorkelling and Diving Reef Day Trip from $195, and Silverswift's 3 Great Barrier Reef Sites in 1 Day from $218, all full-day trips hitting genuine outer-reef sites rather than the closer-in cays, which is where the visibility and coral quality noticeably steps up.

Splurge ($300+): If it's a special trip (birthday, honeymoon, backpacker bucket list moment), the Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight runs from $312, so you get the reef from below and above in one day. My other favourite option is the multi-day snorkelling boat trips that let you wake up out on the reef instead of just visiting for the day and losing to travel time.

Prices fluctuate with season and operator, so treat these as a guide rather than gospel and check current rates before booking.

Kuranda: Rainforest Village in the Clouds

Half a day, maximum payoff. Glide over rainforest canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, explore Kuranda village and its markets, then loop back through the same rainforest on the historic Scenic Railway, or do it in reverse.

The combo ticket for Skyrail up, Scenic Railway back is the standard, budget friendly move. If you want to make an afternoon of it, the Gold Class train option upgrades your return leg with individual seating and a drinks service, a nice way to close out a big day without paying resort prices for it.

Other tours I'd be saying yes to

• Rainforest River Tubing

• Best of the Kuranda Rainforest Full-Day Tour & Lunch - this ones a sell out so book ahead

What top attractions are a must-see in Cairns?

The must-see attractions in Cairns are:

• Fitzroy Island

• Cairns Aquarium

• Michaelmas Cay

• Cairns Koalas & Creatures

See all must-see sights in Cairns

Where to stay in Cairns

• Backpacker/Hostel: Cavella Backpackers

• Low-Budget: The Grand Hotel Cairns

• Mid-Budget: Pullman Cairns International - we stayed here and loved the location

• High-End: Crystalbrook Riley

• Caravan & Campgrounds: Cairns Holiday Park

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