Local’s guide to Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Cairns boasts a vibrant restaurant and bar scene that rivals its sparkling Coral Sea vistas: but if you like to sip and savour views at the same time, make a beeline for the rooftop bars Rocco (nestled at the top of hotel Riley) or lively Oak and Vine, which serves up unique Peruvian dishes. To dine a little closer to the water, head to Hemingway’s Brewery on Trinity Inlet for sundowners. Ochre, Dundees and Prawn Star lead the charge in local produce served with flair, while Rusty’s Market is the place to pick up fresh fruit and veggies, coffee and international food truck delights.  

For a feast that’s worth the detour, head north to Ellis Beach Bar and Grill. You’ll find the locals here on a Sunday for $1 oysters and live music from 1-4pm.

You can’t visit Palm Cove without dining on the beach at award-winning Nu Nu. Be sure to ask for an outdoor table, and time your dinner to watch the sunset as you feast. With a beach this inviting, leave time for a BBQ by the water, or start your day with a coffee and stroll at sunrise, before the crowds arrive.  

Fresh seafood comes by the trawler-full in Port Douglas, so do as the locals do and take a seafood picnic to Rex Smeal Park to watch the sunset. For tropical cocktails served alongside modern dishes like sand crab dumplings and dukkah crusted barramundi, head to Salsa Bar and Grill, a local institution that’s been winning hearts for 25 years.

Where to stay in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

You’ll have your pick of world-class accommodation in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef, from hotels overlooking the Coral Sea, islands dotted along the reef, and eco-resorts deep in the rainforest.

In the heart of Cairns, Riley get the local’s vote for best pool, with an equally stunning rooftop bar and some seriously sustainable touches. But if it’s a digital detox you’re seeking, check into Thala Beach Nature Reserve, an eco-retreat built on 58 acres of beachfront native forest. You could spend days soaking up the tranquility of this special spot, sleeping in a bungalow amongst the trees while savouring the views and flavours from Osprey’s Restaurant.

Prefer the simpler life? Pitch your tent at these camping spots near Cairns. You’ll find in-the-know locals setting up camp right on the sand at Ellis Beach, or amongst the rainforest of Wooroonooran National Park’s Goldsborough Valley – it has just 12 campsites in this lush Wet Tropics setting.

Things to do in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

What’s left to do once you’ve explored the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree? A lot.

Hit the beach

Venture a little outside of Cairns to discover miles of golden sand along the Northern Beaches. Favourite local spots include Holloways Beach, Trinity Beach, Yorkey’s Knob and Ellis Beach (an unlikely surfing hotspot). Tree-lined Palm Cove is especially inviting, and if you’re in Port Douglas, you can’t beat a sunrise walk along the beach before heading up to Flagstaff Hill Lookout. More of a sunset person? Soak up the views with a drink in hand and set sail with Sailaway – a must do while you’re here.

Discover hidden waterfalls 

It might be best known for the reef, but Cairns boasts more than its fair share of rainforest-clad waterfalls, hidden throughout the tablelands and national parks. Whether you want to stop and stare, or jump in for a swim, put these on your list. 

The oasis of Stoney Creek Falls lies just 20 minutes outside of Cairns, perfect for a dip when humidity strikes. A little further south, popular Crystal Cascades has several swimming rock pools and cascading falls. But the local secret? Wander 15 minutes off the beaten path to find the deep blue waters of hidden Fairy Falls.

For a waterfall you might get all to yourself, head south on Bruce Highway to Edmonton to find Isabella Falls. It’s a 20 minute walk to get here, but you’ll be rewarded with a series of small waterholes to lounge in. Elsewhere in the region, find a sense of peace at sacred Babinda Boulders, or visit Barron Falls when it’s raging from recent rainfalls to witness Mother Nature at its most powerful.

Take a hike 

Every visitor to Cairns should experience a sunrise stroll along the Esplanade, with views overlooking Trinity Inlet. But if you want to stretch your legs a little further, there’s plenty of hikes near Cairns to satisfy – whether you’re after sweeping views or thigh-busting elevation.

Climb the steep, rocky path to summit the granite peak of Walsh’s Pyramid in Wooroonooran National Park for stunning 360degree views of the surrounding countryside. It’s a gruelling six hour hike but an experience that’ll stay with you long after your legs recover. For a rainforest hike that also delivers a chance to cool off, take the walk to Behana Gorge: this 3.5km trail offers several swimming spots plus a waterfall. Of course, you can take the ultimate challenge and scale Queensland’s tallest peak, Mt Bartle Frere.

Glacier Rock Lookout is a 6km heart-pumping hike in Barron Gorge National Park: reach the peak and you’ll score views across Cairns, the Northern Beaches and Lamb Range. The short but sweet Earl Hill Trail is the best spot to break a sweat when you’re tight on time: it takes about an hour to complete, with views of Trinity Inlet and Palm Cove from the top.

On Cairns’ doorstep, Mt Whitfield Conservation Park is home to four Arrows trails (yellow, red, blue and green) that offer spectacular strolls through nature at varying distances and difficulty. Just 10minutes drive from town, you’ll find the locals here for an afternoon workout. 

Prefer to get your adrenaline rush on a mountain bike? Cairns & Great Barrier Reef is an adventure epicentre, with some incredible trails to tackle. If you travel with fitness in mind, check out this guide. 

Local road trips

Grab the snacks and buckle up for one of Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’s must-do self-drives; the best way to steer yourself off the tourist main drag.

Find your favourite place to cool off along the Waterfall Circuit in Atherton Tablelands: spend a day or two here and you’ll discover some of the region’s best waterfalls, from the natural waterslide of Josephine Falls to lesser-known Millaa Milla Falls and Zillie Falls – with stops at the massive Cathedral Fig Tree and volcanic Lake Eacham. More of a foodie? Feast your way through the region’s local produce, coffee and liqueur. No car? You can see the sights in a day trip with Barefoot Tours.

Prefer to stick to the coast? Head north on Captain Cook Highway to discover quiet beaches, ancient rainforest and the world’s oldest surviving culture on the Great Barrier Reef Drive. There’s not many road trips in the world that will lead you through two World Heritage areas: this is one of the best coastal drives you’ll experience. Here’s a few more to add to your itinerary.

The local’s beach getaway

Where do those who call paradise home, every day of the week, go to escape?

It’s lured in-the-know beach lovers from near and far, but Mission Beach remains an untouched, sleepy destination for those who prefer a shoes-optional lifestyle, where peak hour means passing another cyclist riding along the 14km of golden sand beaches.

This locally-loved escape is nestled between lush rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, just under two hours’ drive south of Cairns. Beyond its natural beauty, it boasts a vibrant arts community, best experienced alongside some café-hopping.

Want to get even further off the beaten path? The uninhabited Family Group Islands lie just a few kilometres offshore – so if you want to wild camp on the Great Barrier Reef, Coombe, Wheeler and Dunk Islands are the place to do it. Dunk Island is the most popular option as it’s accessible via a water taxi.

Local’s shopping guide to Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Up north, you don’t have to trade a day in the outdoors for some retail therapy: Cairns’ shopping scene thrives after dark thanks to extended retail hours. Head to Oceana Walk Arcade for indie labels and all things vintage, while Galleria is your home of all things luxury. And if you prefer to browse markets rather than boutiques, hit up Cairns Night Markets (open every evening), Kuranda Markets or Rusty’s Market for local delicacies and produce.  

To find unique and locally-designed fashion, homewares and jewellery, make your way to Port Douglas. The vibrant shopping destination is the perfect spot to pick up a gift or original Indigenous artworks. Locals’ also love the waterfront Port Douglas Markets, held every Sunday from 8am – 2pm at Market Park.

Whether you’re here for a long weekend or two weeks; venturing off the beaten path to some of these local favourites will be the icing on the cake of your tropical adventure.