10 Reasons to Take the Kids to Cairns

10 Reasons to Take the Kids to Cairns

Editor’s note: I am glad to present the latest guest post for The Accidental Australian, thanks to Bryony of Coasting Austalia. It’s full of great tips on visiting Cairns with kids- do check out her site for more tips on Far North Queensland and family travel!

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Everyone knows that if you visit Cairns with kids then a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef is a must, but here are some other reasons to bring the family to the heart of Tropical North Queensland.

1. The climate

Some people say that Cairns has 2 seasons, hot and hotter! But in the Winter months from May-October the days are sunny and the nights are cool, making it the perfect escape from colder weather down south. It is always warm enough to swim, and the rain always comes in the hotter summer months when you don’t mind getting wet!

2. Playgrounds

Cairns has some brilliant playgrounds to entertain all ages. Along the Esplanade you will find a walking/bike/scooter trail connecting a huge skate park, a bouldering wall, beach volleyball courts, a water splash playground and a pirate ship playground. At the Botanic Gardens there is a huge adventure play area that is inspired and based in nature, and near the cruise terminal at the south end of the Esplanade you’ll find a giant treehouse playground. One of our favourite play areas is Goomboora Park (where you can also swim in fresh water creeks) which has a huge flying fox too.

3. Swimming

The lagoon is one of Cairns’ most famous landmarks, where you can cool down in croc and stinger free patrolled water. There are also lots of great public swimming pools in the area, the Tobruk Memorial Pool near the Botanic Gardens has a small toddler splash area and also a fun wave rider experience – who knew you could surf in TNQ! If you’re looking for a bit of action head to Sugarworld in south Cairns where you can find waterslides, a wave pool and more. Cairns also has some incredible natural swimming spots – Crystal Cascades is one of the most famous and is just 15 minutes from the city centre.

4. Wildlife

You can find loads of world class wildlife experiences in and around Cairns. We love visiting Kuranda – the village in the rainforest – where you can find Rainforestation – a nature and cultural experience where you can hand feed wallabies, ride an army duck, learn to throw a boomerang and see the First Nation Pamagirri dance show. Further north in the beautiful town of Port Douglas you can visit Wildlife Habitat where you can breakfast with the birds, see a crocodile show, cuddle a koala or even a snake and hand feed the animals. In the city centre you can find Cairns Aquarium, and also an adventure park surrounded by a tropical zoo at the Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome, where you can even zipline over a crocodile!

5. Bushwalks and Rainforest

Cairns is a region of outstanding natural beauty. We love bushwalking and spending time in the rainforest – you can find easy walks through the Botanic Gardens, including the Red Arrow which takes you up to a vantage point overlooking the ocean and all of Cairns. Head further north and you can find the Daintree region – one of the only places in the world where the rainforest meets the reef, there are loads of things to do in the Daintree with kids too.

6. Beaches

This may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think about Cairns, and although saltwater crocs and stingers are native to the ocean around the Cairns region you can still enjoy some world class beaches. If you head over to Fitzroy Island the water off the beach is safe for swimming (wear a stinger suit during the hotter summer months) and Nudey Beach has made lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Port Douglas is home to the beautiful Four Mile Beach, and closer to Cairns you will find Palm Cove, Trinity Beach, and Holloways Beach.

7. Culture

The Cairns region is one rich in Indigenous culture, make sure you take the kids to one of the local Aboriginal experiences either at Rainforestation or the Tjapukai Cultural Park.

8. Extreme Adventure!

What kid doesn’t love adventure! There are thrills galore in Cairns – you can bunjy jump, skydive, white water raft, go tubing, swing through the rainforest, scuba dive and more. It’s one of the adventure capitals in Australia and all the activities are surrounded by nature so you get the best of both worlds.

9. Dinosaurs!

If your kids are dinosaur lovers like ours then they will love a visit to Cairns. Up in the village of Kuranda you can find a hidden dinosaur museum at the Emu Ridge Gallery. If you head up to the Daintree you can also come face to face with life size prehistoric creatures at the Daintree Discovery Centre.

10. Food

Tropical North Queensland is home to some delicious food experiences too. Head out to the Tablelands area to find a food trail of chocolate, coffee, tea, wine and cheese. You can find two ice-creameries up in the Daintree with over 40 flavours. In Cairns city head to the marina where you can board the fishing boat the Prawn Star and try the freshest seafood of your life. Visit Rusty’s Market on the weekend and taste test lots of exotic fruits as you browse the stalls. The Night Markets also have a food court where you can try food from around the world, and Cairns Esplanade is packed with pizzerias, gelato shops and more.

Cairns is one of our favourite places for families – when you visit make sure you give yourselves enough time to make the most of all the brilliant activities on offer.

Bio

Bryony has been travelling Australia full time with her husband, 2 boys aged 3 and 4, and their kelpie cross Bobby, for 18 months.  Home is a Toyota Coaster bus and they are exploring Australia looking for the best family and pet friendly destinations, attractions, accommodation and more. Before travelling they called Cairns home for 7 years and are in love with Tropical North Queensland.