5 Attractions to Keep Your Children Amused in Cairns

While many families just pass through Cairns on their way to the Great Barrier Reef, the area actually provides plenty of fun and affordable options for all ages to enjoy. The region is full of breathtakingly beautiful natural scenery, attractions and tours that are worth exploring for a day, a week or even a month. About as family-friendly as a destination comes, Cairns is a tropical hot spot that provides an interesting combination of city, beaches, culture, rainforests, coral reefs and animals — everything that a child could want to explore! If you’re heading north with your family on your next holiday, then consider adding at least a few of the following five attractions to your itinerary.

Great Barrier Reef — Green Island

Most families visiting the tropical north book into a Cairns hotel and then head out to the Great Barrier Reef as soon as they can. While there are an array of islands and tours to consider visiting, one of the easiest options for a family with young children is to visit Green Island. A stunning coral cay that features rain-forests, white sandy beaches, abundant marine life and spectacular coral reefs, the island is easily accessible from Cairns. A popular tour to book in this area is the Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises. Choose from a half-day or full-day cruise and entertain the kids with a tour of the Big Cat wheelhouse, a coloring-in sheet, their own membership to the Turtle Rescue Club and of course all the beauty of the reef. Children will love the half-hour Glass Bottom Boat tour where they can watch the array of sea life and marvel at the coral without even getting wet!

Cairns Tropical Zoo

Set among six hectares of tropical landscaped gardens and operating for more than 30 years, Cairns Tropical Zoo is an award-winning tourist destination that children love to explore. The zoo is home to an array of Australian wildlife species and has the largest collection of wildlife in North Queensland. Visitors to the zoo can watch daily crocodile, bird and snake shows; see emus, kangaroos, wombats, birds, dingoes and other animals around the complex; read wildlife displays; and even hold and feed koalas and kangaroos! Kids will also no doubt be thrilled about the opportunity to stay late and enjoy the Cairns Night Zoo, where they can eat a barbecue dinner and then go on a guided tour to learn about the zoo’s nocturnal creatures.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

Another tourist attraction set north of Cairns, the 25-acre Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park introduces visitors to the traditional culture of the indigenous people and features a museum, art gallery, shop, restaurants, five theatres and an Aboriginal camp. Children will be fascinated by the interactive demonstrations of didgeridoo playing, cultural dancing and hunting techniques and can even learn about the bush tucker eaten by the tribes. Families can visit the park during the day or at night, when a new show gives visitors the opportunity to take part in an ancient corroboree ritual.

Cairns Wildlife Dome

Situated on the top of the iconic Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, the Cairns Wildlife Dome is a fascinating, all-weather “wildlife immersion exhibit” that is enclosed by a 20-metre-high glass dome. Here the Cairns ZOOm, the first ever Challenge Ropes Course to be set in this type of environment, will be a hit with children. The course consists of more than 50 different zip lines and crossings, one of which even takes visitors over the top of a four-metre-long saltwater crocodile! Kids will also love interacting with animals such as gliders, lizards, snakes and turtles and can watch multiple animals being fed of an afternoon.

Kuranda SkyRail and Kuranda Scenic Railway

A fun day out for the whole family can be found at Kuranda, a suburb 25 kilometres northwest of Cairns. The Kuranda Scenic Railway is more than 100 years old and is one of the most unique train trips in Australia. Winding its way between Cairns and the pretty village of Kuranda via towering bridges and hand-made tunnels, the train provides tourists with unsurpassed views of rainforests, ravines and waterfalls. Families can also enjoy a visit to the Kuranda SkyRail, a gondola ride that takes around an hour and a half and carries guests over the spectacular, World Heritage-listed rainforests. The SkyRail was the world’s first tourist attraction to be Green Globe certified, making it not just a fantastic experience for families but also one that doesn’t negatively impact the environment.

About the Author: Amelia Sparks is a freelance travel writer and mum who enjoys exploring Australia with her husband and kids in tow.