Cairns Walking Tracks: A Journey Along the Esplanade
Cairns offers a fantastic walking experience, especially along the scenic Cairns Esplanade. Starting at Trinity Wharf, this walk is perfect for visitors of all ages, including families with small children.
Cairns Esplanade Walking Path: A Scenic and Accessible Experience
The Cairns Esplanade walking path offers a beautiful and accessible way to explore the city’s heart. This designated path stretches the full length of the Esplanade, making it an ideal 5-kilometre return trip for walkers of all abilities.
A Fully Accessible Walk
One of the great features of this walking path is that it is fully wheelchair accessible. The smooth, level surface ensures that everyone can enjoy the walk, and accessible toilets are conveniently located at five different spots along the 2.5-kilometre stretch. This makes it a comfortable and stress-free experience for all visitors.
Explore the Best of Cairns
As you stroll along the Promenade, you’ll find it offers easy access to Cairns’ best attractions. The path takes you right through the heart of the CBD, so you’re never far from the vibrant city life. You can easily stop off at the Cairns Lagoon for a swim or take a break at one of the many restaurants and cafes along the way. The Esplanade is also lined with shops, making combining your walk with some shopping easy.
Enjoy the Journey
Whether you’re out for a stroll, a brisk walk, or just exploring the city, the Cairns Esplanade walking path is a fantastic way to experience the beauty and vibrancy of Cairns. With its stunning waterfront views, accessible amenities, and convenient location, it’s a must-do for anyone visiting the area.
Starting at Trinity Wharf
Your journey begins at Trinity Wharf, a lively area where you’ll find the charming Figtree Playground—a hit with the little ones. Nearby, Chapter One is the perfect spot to grab coffee, breakfast, lunch, or brunch before walking. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the food is delicious, making it a great way to start your day.
Strolling Past Marlin Marina and Beyond
As you head along the Esplanade, you’ll pass Marlin Marina, where the view of luxury yachts and tour boats is simply stunning. The Salt House, a popular spot for dining and drinks, is next along the way, offering a great place to stop if you’re in the mood for a meal with a view.
Continuing your walk, you’ll pass the Cairns City Helipad, where you can watch helicopters taking off for scenic flights over the Great Barrier Reef. It’s an exciting spot that adds a touch of adventure to your stroll.
The Cairns Lagoon and Beyond
Next, you’ll come across the Cairns Lagoon, a sparkling saltwater pool perfect for a refreshing swim. It’s a favourite spot for locals and tourists, offering safe swimming and plenty of space to relax in the sun.
From here, the path continues relatively straight to North Cairns. Along the way, you’ll pass lush parkland, free BBQs, and outdoor exercise equipment—perfect for a quick workout with a view.
Parks and Playgrounds for the Kids
Walking, you’ll discover several fantastic playgrounds that will delight the kids. Muddy’s Playground is a water-themed play area that’s always a hit, while the Funship Playground offers a unique and adventurous play space. Both are excellent spots to take a break and let the kids burn off some energy.
A Walk Through History
Don’t miss the ANZAC Memorial along the Esplanade, a solemn and beautiful spot commemorating Australia’s servicemen and women. It’s a moment of reflection on your walk, surrounded by the natural beauty of Cairns.
Enjoy the Best of Cairns
The Cairns Esplanade walking track is more than just a path; it’s a journey through some of the city’s best attractions. Whether you’re out for a morning stroll, a day with the family, or an afternoon adventure, this walk offers something for everyone. From playgrounds and picnic spots to beautiful views and great food, visiting Cairns is a must-do experience.
In the Mt. Whitfield Conservation Park, the Red Arrow Track is a popular 1.5-kilometre (0.9-mile) loop trail that provides a moderately challenging walk through the rainforest. It offers panoramic views of Cairns City, Trinity Inlet, and the surrounding mountains.
Blue Arrow Circuit
Also situated in Mt. Whitfield Conservation Park, the Blue Arrow Circuit is a longer and more challenging trail than the Red Arrow. This 5.4-kilometre (3.4-mile) circuit offers a steep uphill climb, leading to spectacular views of the coast, Cairns City, and the rainforest.
Crystal Cascades Track
Located about 25 minutes from Cairns, Crystal Cascades is a natural freshwater swimming hole surrounded by lush rainforest. The walking track to Crystal Cascades is approximately 1.2 kilometres (0.7 miles) and takes you through beautiful scenery with multiple waterfalls.
Centenary Lakes Botanic Gardens
This tranquil botanical garden in Cairns offers a network of walking tracks that wind through various themed gardens, including a freshwater lake, a rainforest boardwalk, and a mangrove boardwalk. It’s a great place to explore the region’s diverse flora and fauna.
Walsh’s Pyramid
For those seeking a challenging Cairns hike, Walsh’s Pyramid is a distinctive natural landmark located south of Cairns in Gordonvale. The 6.2-kilometre (3.8-mile) trail to the summit involves steep inclines and is considered quite demanding. However, reaching the top rewards you with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Fitzroy Summit
You’ve decided to hop on one of the boats at the Marina and find yourself on Fitzroy Island.
Since it only takes about 45 minutes to reach the sandy beaches of this inner-reef paradise, we feel like we can include it in our best walks in Cairns round-up as an easy day trip.
While there are plenty of fun things to do on the island, like snorkelling or visiting the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, a can’t-miss activity for all avid walkers is a 3.6-kilometre return summit hike to the island’s top.
But don’t let the shortness of the walk fool you. You’ll need at least two hours to complete the loop at an average pace, and it’s well worth it.
The views of the mainland, nearby Green Island, and the beautiful Coral Sea are unmatched.
If you’re up for a detour on this Cairns walking trail, you can check out the lighthouse on Fitzroy Island.
Cairns Botanic Gardens
Another of the Cairns walking tracks and best walks in Cairns is through the Cairns Botanic Gardens. We shouldn’t say “one of” as there are many different walks to choose from here.
Four main trails wind through the lush gardens, ranging from just over a kilometre to about 5.5. So, no matter your fitness level or how much time you’d like to spend on your walk, there is something for you at the gardens.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy immersing in a tropical rainforest without leaving the city.
Visitors can enjoy several guided walks in the Cairns Botanical Gardens if they prefer.
These tours are free of charge. If you have questions or prefer a more personalized experience, you can enjoy them with a volunteer guide or an audio guide.
Barron Gorge National Park
Exploring Barron Gorge National Park is one of Cairns’ best walks during the wet season, as it allows you to see the waterfalls along the way when they are genuinely roaring!
The park is about a 20-minute drive from Central Cairns and well worth it. There are plenty of walks, depending on your time and fitness level.
One of the most popular options is the Din Din Barron Falls Lookout walk, which only takes about 40 minutes to return and is an incredible 1.2 kilometres.
It’s an elevated, wheelchair-accessible (with assistance) boardwalk that winds through the tops of the trees.
You’ll see Barron Falls, the Barron Falls railway platform (the famous Kuranda Rail stops at), and the beautiful, green rainforest for kilometres and kilometres.
There are even toilets in the car park!
We hope you enjoy these best walks in Cairns.
Some great walking tracks on Lizard Island can be made on our day tour of Lizard Island.
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