Adventure and Adrenaline

“In Cairns, the question is never whether to have an adventure — it is only which one to choose first.”

Cairns — Australia’s Adventure Capital, and It Shows

Cairns has built its reputation as Australia’s adventure capital honestly. Nowhere else in the country can you skydive above the Great Barrier Reef in the morning, white water raft through World Heritage rainforest in the afternoon, and dive the coral gardens at sunset. The combination of reef, rainforest, rivers and rugged terrain within an hour of the city creates an adventure playground of extraordinary variety — and the operators here are among the most experienced in Australia.

Adventures on the Water

Reef diving and snorkelling is the centrepiece of Cairns’ water-based adventure scene, but it is far from the only option. White water rafting on the Tully and Barron Rivers delivers genuine grade-three and four rapids through dramatic jungle gorges. Sea kayaking along the coast and around the reef islands is a growing activity for those who want a slower, more intimate ocean experience. Parasailing above the Cairns inlet offers aerial views of the city, the reef and the mountains at once. And for the truly committed, cage diving with bull sharks in the open ocean is available through specialist operators.

Adventures in the Air

Tandem skydiving above Cairns is considered one of the world’s great skydiving locations — the jump zone offers simultaneous views of the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, the Coral Sea and the mountain ranges. Hot air balloon rides over the Atherton Tablelands in the early morning mist are a more serene but equally spectacular aerial experience. Helicopter tours from Cairns Airport fly over the reef and coastline, offering perspectives on the natural landscape that are impossible to appreciate from the ground.

Adventures on Land

Bungy jumping at Cairns’ purpose-built facility is an Aussie adventure rite of passage. Mountain biking through the rainforest trails above the city is increasingly popular. Rock climbing and abseiling in the ranges west of Cairns provides technical challenge in stunning wilderness. And for those who want their adventure spread over days, the Hinchinbrook Island Thorsborne Trail — one of Australia’s most rewarding multiday wilderness hikes — begins just south of Cairns.

Things to Do in Cairns with KidsRainforest and WaterfallsScenic Flights & Helicopter ToursWildlife Parks and Animal Encounters

White Water Rafting on the Barron and Tully Rivers

Two rivers offer white-water rafting experiences from Cairns — the Barron River and the Tully River, two hours south. The Barron River is ideal for beginners and first-timers — the rapids are Grade 3 to 4, the scenery through Barron Gorge is spectacular, and the experience is achievable for most healthy adults without prior rafting experience. The Tully River is a more serious proposition — Grade 4 to 5 rapids in a full-day experience that is regarded by rafting enthusiasts as one of the finest river experiences in Australia. Tully rafting companies are well-established, safety records are excellent, and the experience is one of genuine intensity and reward. Mission Beach, immediately adjacent to Tully, makes a natural base for combining a day on the river with a night by a quieter stretch of coast.

Skydiving and Bungy Jumping

Cairns is one of Australia’s premier skydiving destinations — tandem jumps from altitudes of up to 14,000 feet provide the combination of the Great Barrier Reef and tropical rainforest coast stretching to every horizon as you freefall. The visual experience from altitude here is extraordinary, and Cairns skydivers are consistently cited as among the most stunning in Australia. AJ Hackett’s bungy jumping tower near Smithfield provides an alternative adrenaline experience with the advantage of being visible from the road — the sight of the tower tends to trigger spontaneous decisions to jump in many visitors who had not planned to do so.

Four-Wheel Driving and Off-Road Adventure

The Cairns region offers outstanding four-wheel drive experiences for those with their own 4WD vehicles or through guided tours. The road north of Cape Tribulation — the Bloomfield Track — is one of Australia’s most scenic and challenging 4WD routes, threading through the rainforest above remote beaches and creek crossings of genuine difficulty. Renting a 4WD and driving this track independently requires experience and preparation. Guided 4WD tours to remote locations including Mount Mulligan, Chillagoe and the western tablelands are also available for those wanting expert-led adventure without the responsibility of vehicle management.

A Hot Getaways destination. Where Care is Our Compass.