Discover the Best Deals in Cairns

Experience Cairns and Tropical North Queensland on a BUDGET!

The region boasts the meeting of two UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonders – the spectacular Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Daintree Rainforest.

You can visit the AthertonTablelands, Port Douglas and even see the oldest aboriginal art on the planet – the list goes on.   With a good assortment of tours and accommodation for those who are on a budget and want to experience the true beauty of Tropical North Queensland.

With its breathtaking scenery and warm climate, this region has taken its place as the most desired domestic holiday spot and world-class international tourist destination.

Cheap boat tours include snorkelling, lunch, glass-bottom boats and more. It might just take a little longer to get to the reef the tours still offer the same attractions as the more prominent more expensive operators.

 

Top 5 things to do in Cairns on a BUDGET

  1. Compass Cruise is Cairns favourite Budget Great Barrier Reef Tour
  2. Crocodiles at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
  3. Train & Skyrail visit to the Kuranda Village
  4. Fitzroy Island, hiking, swimming
  5. Tablelands and Waterfalls Tour

 

Top 10 Things to do in Cairns for FREE

  1. Cairns Lagoon
  2. Muddies if you have kids Muddies is so much fun
  3. Cairns Botanical Gardens
  4. If you love fitness & bushwalking the Red, Blue, Green & Yellow Arrows are awesome
  5. Centenary Lakes Nature Play has a great play area for kids
  6. Rusty’s Farm Markets open Friday to Sunday
  7. Swimming holes Behana Gorge and Crystal Cascades are great spots for a refreshing dip
  8. Munro Martin Parklands are World Class gardens
  9. Free Activities on the Esplanade – Skate Park, Exercise Equipment, Yoga, Beach Volleyball
  10. Treehouse another excellent option for kids & Wharf One Cafe right next door

 

Cairns Attractions

Great Barrier ReefSnorkel-Great-Barrier-Reef

No visit to Tropical North Queensland is complete without a visit to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Take in the world’s largest living structure and witness the reef’s incredible aquatic life from a glass-bottom boat.

Day trips start at $115 and family rates from around $400

 

The Esplanade

Cairns Esplanade is one of Cairns’ most affordable attractions.

From Yoga to Zumba, fitness programs for all fitness levels and ages are offered free.

Once you’ve burnt up the calories, you can cool down in a salt-water lagoon surrounded by sand with a clear view of the Coral Sea.

Shops, art and live entertainment are open to the backpacker set and families alike.

Galleries &Museums

Photograph: David Campbell | Courtesy Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover Cairns’ rich and varied culture expressed through indigenous and contemporary art displayed in its host of art galleries.

For $5 per person and $12 per family, the Cairns Museum offers a diversity of collections. That illustrates Cairns’ growth from frontier town for gold miners to the top class tourist attraction it is today.

Botanic Gardens

Cairns botanic gardens centre

Cairns has one of the best botanic exhibits in Australia.

One of the Free things to do in Cairns is the Cairns Botanical Gardens.

Located only 4 kilometres from the heart of the city, and the gardens are a prime example of the types of plants that grow in the tropical atmosphere of the Daintree Rainforest.

 

 

20 of the Best Tours under $120

Cairns Wildlife Dome

Cairns City Zoo at the top of the Reef Casino. You can get your photo taken with a koala. Meet some of our Aussie animals!

$25 Read more

Mamu Tropical Skywalk

Not only beautiful but sustainable too! You will explore the rainforest from the floor to the canopy and experience breathtaking views from this canopy boardwalk

$27 Read more

Cairns Aquarium

Discover over 16,000 creatures from the reef and rainforest by immersing yourself in the 5 unique habitats which are on display.

$44 Read more

Paronella Park

The Spanish Castle in the Rainforest Spread over 5 Hectares Jose Paronella began construction of his labour of love in the early 1930s

$49 Read more

Fitzroy Island Ferry

Fitzroy Island Ferry This full-day trip takes you to beautiful Fitzroy Island where you can swim, snorkel and hike to the lighthouse!

$82 Read more

Cairns Sight Seeing

The ultimate “City Sights” tour of Cairns and its spectacular tropical environs Offering so much more than the usual City tours this truly rewarding afternoon.

$87 Read more

Estuary Fishing Cairns

Estuary Fishing Cairns. Catch barramundi, mangrove jack, queenfish, fingermark, trevally, salmon and more hard fighting tropical species.

from $95 Read more

Green Island Reef Cruise

Green Island Reef Cruise options for both full or half day spend a lovely day options for snorkeling relaxing on the beach walking and more

from $102 Read more

Cairns Skyrail

Cairns Skyrail gives you a whole new perspective of North Queensland's rainforest. With an amazing boardwalk tour and the village to explore.

$109 Read more
See more budget tours

Liveaboards in Cairns

Stateroom Liveaboard

Cairns best liveaboard rated unbeatable on service and value Staying on Australias Great Barrier Reef is the number one thing to do in Australia

from $490 Read more
See more listings