Best Tourist Attractions in Cairns (2026)
Planning your next outing? These are 75 of the best tourist attractions in Cairns right now, whether you're after a lazy weekend, a day with the kids or somewhere new to explore. We rank each one by our Spot Score and keep the list fresh, so you're always seeing what's actually worth your time.
First time in Cairns, or showing visitors around? These are the landmark sights and must-see attractions that define the city — the places worth building a day around.
75 spots
wild kuranda
wild kuranda is an attraction in Kuranda, Cairns. It holds a 3.7-star Google rating from 10 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 39/100.
Kuranda Rainforest Tours
Kuranda Rainforest Tours is an attraction in Kuranda, Cairns. It holds a 3.8-star Google rating from 9 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 39/100.
Ellis Waterfall
Ellis Waterfall is an attraction in Palm Cove, Cairns. It holds a 3.7-star Google rating from 7 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 38/100.
Tourist Attractions by suburb
Zoom in on the best tourist attractions in Cairns's most popular neighbourhoods.
Tourist Attractions guides for Cairns
roundupCairns Nightlife: The Best Bars & Live Music
Cairns may be best known as the gateway to the reef and rainforest, but once the sun drops the city centre comes alive with a compact, walkable cluster of bars, breweries and live
Read guide →roundupFree Things to Do in Cairns
From the Esplanade Lagoon and Botanic Gardens to Palm Cove and rainforest escapes, these are Cairns’ best free outings — plus what costs extra.
Read guide →roundupCairns With Kids: Family-Friendly Things to Do
From the free Esplanade Lagoon to the Daintree, here are Cairns family activities worth planning around, with practical ideas for wet and sunny days.
Read guide →Tourist Attractions in Cairns — FAQs
What are the best tourist attractions in Cairns?+
Our top-rated tourist attractions in Cairns are ranked by our Spot Score, which combines Google ratings, review volume, category fit and how recently we verified the details. The highest scorers appear at the top of this page.
How is the Cairns tourist attractions ranking decided?+
We blend independent signals — Google star ratings and review counts, popularity, the quality of available information and freshness — into a single Spot Score out of 100. It's an editorial score, not a paid placement.
Can I filter tourist attractions by suburb or price?+
Yes. Use the filters to narrow by suburb, minimum rating, price level, whether a place is open now, and features like dog-friendly or outdoor seating.
How many tourist attractions are listed in Cairns?+
We currently feature 75 tourist attractions across Cairns and surrounding suburbs, and we add and re-check venues regularly.