For the first time, Cairns was established to serve the miners who worked for the Hodgkinson River goldfield. However, nowadays, Cairns was developed into a popular city for traveling and studying. There are so many things to do for travelers and especially for a family trip. Cairns has many best things to do for kids with their parents and almost the activities were designed for the family that every member can do together. If you are planning to visit Cairns on your next vacation, you can refer to some recommendations below for your holiday.
1. Kuranda Scenic Railway Heritage
Kuranda Scenic Railway is an authentic redwood carriage that running through most of the spectacular scenery of the Tropical North Queensland in 2 hours. The train runs quite slow to bring for your family a unique experience pass the Macalister Range, the beautiful suburbs of Stratford, Freshwater, and Redlynch before reaching Kuranda, the village in the rainforest. The train will stop at a stunning viewing platform at Barron Falls – a steep cascade waterfall, you and your kids can take photos here as more as you want to record this best moment of your family. You can let your kids use the audio commentary on board to help them learn more about each place the train pass through. This should be a great trip for your family!
2. Kuranda Koala Gardens
Australia is in with the rich flora and fauna and the most impressive animal in this country is koala. You definitely would like to introduce this adorable koala to your kids. Kuranda Koala Gardens is one of the homes of the popular koalas that you kids can come here and learn about their habitat, eating habits, and more as you wander through the different zones of the park! Not only that, but the garden also has a lot of other animals here such as Australian reptiles like crocodiles, lizards, or a large python. Either the wombats are a favorite among native Australians, as they are smart, playful, and look quite cute while snoozing away. Some of the animals that you only can meet in Australia since they don’t live in another place in the world. Let spend a day learning and having fun with your kids at Kuranda Koala Gardens.
3. Australian Butterfly Sanctuary Cairns
While Kuranda Koala Gardens is a sanctuary for koalas, Australian Butterfly Sanctuary Cairns is another place that helps to preserve the butterflies. You haven’t known about the rich butterflies species world when you visit this with your kids. One of the best ways for your kids to learn and entertain on the trip, they have the breeds lab with over 30,000 caterpillars a year that turn into vibrant butterflies. The color from all of these butterflies can surprise your family from the breathtaking beauty of the blue Ulysses butterfly to the iridescence of the Cairns Birdwing butterfly. The beauty of the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is really amazing, sometimes, you may see some couple weddings also come here for their married on the Butterfly Lovers Bridge.
4. Cairns Aquarium
If you already sent your kids to explore almost the creature on the land, so, why you don’t think about the marine for the next place when you are in Cairns. Let discover the diverse marine life and exotic land animal species at Cairns Aquarium! There are over 15,000 animals of North Queensland ecosystems, your kids also can see rainforests and coral reefs in this aquarium and learn about this amazing world. The Aquarium is quite suitable for everyone at you should not miss the feeding shows and the two World Heritage-listed areas (the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest) up close and in any weather conditions. You must keep the ticket along with you since the staff may suddenly ask for an inspection. There is an additional fee if you want to enter some restricted areas or animal encounter at the aquarium, you can ask the staff for more information. You can enjoy the lunch at aquarium’s restaurant since the view was designed for guests can see the marine life when you enjoy the food, this is one of the best experiences that your family should try at least one time.
5. Rainforest Skyrail Cableway
After exploring the fauna in the Southern Hemisphere, you can visit the rainforest in Cairns to discover the flora of Australia. However, there is a wonderful way for you and your kids to explore this tropical rainforest. This is Rainforest Skyrail Cableway, your kids will be flown on the sky through an Australia’s World Heritage-listed Tropical Rainforest in a 7.5-kilometer scenic cableway. The cable car will depart from either Smithfield or Kuranda and will stop at 2 stop points. The first stop is Red Peak, your family can walk the 175 meters rainforest boardwalk at this stop. The second stop is Barron Falls, and you can walk the 400 meters gentle walkway. Totally, the duration for one way is from 1.5 hours to 2 hours and don’t forget to bring your camera to grab the spectacular scenery from 2 stops with the city view and the vast of vegetation around the skywalk.
6. The Great Reef in Green Island
Australia is really famous for the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. However, you are concerning that your kids are too small to dive or snorkeling to see this wonderful nature scene. You can book a tour to Green Island for your kids since this tour provides a glass-bottom boat to help your kids can see the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef without dive in the sea. On the other hand, this tour also offers an eco-adventure to Green Island with additional activities such as swimming pool, snorkel and swim in the ocean or take a stroll through the self-guided Eco Island Walk. If you really want to enjoy the nice view under the sea, you also can snorkel to explore the beauty of coral reef face-to-face.
7. Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome
Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome is the place for you to challenge your mind and body with many things to learn about Australia’s diverse native wildlife by daily educational shows and also for you to test your strengths with a free-fall adventure from the top height 13 meters. This attraction is suitable for everyone from kids to adults and all members of your family can attend and learn together. Besides some of the adventure rides such as Pirate Climb, the Commando Rope Climb or the Slack Line to see how far your upper body strength can take you, they also provide the educational shows that are great for children, allowing them to understand the importance of the ecosystem and preserving the habitats of these animals. That’s a good place for family! You may spend around 2-3 hours here if you would like to discover all the Dome.
8. Paronella Park
Paronella Park is also a tropical forest park but in another view. You can deep into the center of the Australian rainforest, where you’ll find the ruins of a Spanish castle. There is a beautiful garden in the middle of 7,500 trees in the lush rainforests of Far North Queensland with the castles, bridges, tunnels, secret staircases, and fountains built by Jose Paronella. Your kids can see the different views of the castle and bridges that are covered by the vast vegetation that creates nature green outside this place. If your family would like to discover the history, the park provides the free tour guide that can help your journey becomes unforgettable with the stories about the visionary Jose Paronella and the construction of the park.
9. Kuranda Bird World
Cairns is really a good place for the people who love the beauty of nature. The city brings to travelers many ways to explore nature through their preservation program of the wildlife of Australia. Kuranda Bird World is one of the places in this program that they preserve the birds (as their name) with over 60 species of birds in a carefully cultivated, natural rainforest habitat. Your kids will have a learning trip at this time since they can get more information about some of Australia’s endangered and endemic birds. Besides, your family will have a wonderful trip to see the beauty of Australian Eclectus parrots, black cockatoos, sulfur-crested cockatoos, and king parrots. This sounds a great trip to see the feathery wonders of the world!
10. Ochre Restaurant
After a few days to explore the nature of Australia on your trip to Cairns, you can treat yourself and your family with a delicious meal at Ochre Restaurant. Savoring an Australia specialty dishes while you admire the restaurant’s picturesque view of the surrounding area. Don’t forget to try their decadent desserts such as the Lemon Myrtle Panna Cotta – one of the famous food that was highly recommended. Your kids will like this dessert since it combined the gelatinous cream with citrus and eucalyptus flavors and the Davidson plum mousse. What a delicious dish! Remembering to bring your camera for some family photos here after this trip with the decoration of the restaurant is really amazing!
Cairns is growing up with many attractions and destinations to serve tourists, especially the family. There are many best things to do in Cairns, Australia with kids from the wildlife sanctuary to the rainforest. Also, exploring the wonderful marine life with the famous Great Barrier Reef is one of the must-do with all travelers when you visiting Australia.