Our second big Australia journey was slowly coming to an end when we reached Cairns. And honestly, we couldn’t have chosen a better final stop. This was the last major chapter of our road trip, and yet it felt anything but quiet. Quite the opposite. The entire northern region of Tropical Queensland delivered one highlight after another. From the lush rainforest landscapes to the wide-open hinterland, everything felt raw, green, and incredibly alive. Especially the northern areas, including the Daintree Rainforest and the surrounding hinterland, left a deep impression on us. It felt like nature was fully in charge here, and we were just passing through.
Instead of staying directly in Cairns, we chose to stay near Palm Cove – and that made a huge difference. Palm Cove felt calmer, more relaxed, and far more scenic. It gave us space to slow down, while still being perfectly located for exploring the whole region by car. Looking back, we would always recommend staying outside Cairns rather than right in the city.
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Quick Peek
For our busy travelers, here is the Fact-sheet about our 9-days Cairns Travel Guide.
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Travel Time
May
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Travel Mode
Road-trip stop (9 days)
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Our Must-Sees
Barron Falls, Palm Fields
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Where to stay
AirBnb Clifton Beach
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Plant-Based Food
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Mobility
Rental car
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Travel Budget
€4,985 / AUD8,423
without air fare
Cairns Travel Guide: Must-Sees Places You Yan Easily Reach By Car
Let’s be honest first. Cairns itself is not a city full of classic highlights. You don’t come here for landmarks or big-city vibes. You come here for the region. And that’s where Cairns truly delivers. Within a short driving distance, you’ll find some of the most impressive places in Tropical Queensland. Lush rainforest, wild beaches, unique wildlife, and that feeling of being far away from everything.
Etty Bay
Etty Bay is not directly linked to Cairns or Palm Cove, but it is an absolute must-stop when road tripping north from Townsville. This is one of those places you might initially plan as a short break and end up staying much longer than expected. The Bay is well known for one very special reason. This is one of the few spots where you have a real chance to see a cassowary in the wild. With only around 4,000 of them left, we honestly didn’t expect much. And then it happened. A cassowary walked calmly across the beach while we were there, proudly doing its rounds. Standing so close to what feels like a living dinosaur was incredibly impressive and a moment we won’t forget.
Palm Cove Beach
To be completely honest, this well-known Instagram motif was one of the reasons that initially pulled us toward Palm Cove. It’s one of those places you see again and again online, so naturally it ended up on our list as a stop. And yes, Palm Cove Beach is beautiful. The palm-lined setting looks great, especially in photos. But compared to the rest of Northern Queensland, it was not the highlight for us. Palm Cove Beach sits right at the beginning of the promenade and parking is quite limited directly at the beach. For us, Palm Cove worked perfectly as a base to stay rather than a standout sightseeing spot. It’s calm, relaxed, and well located, but when it comes to pure wow-moments, the surrounding region clearly has more to offer.
Kuranda Scenic Rail Station
Originally, a ride on the legendary scenic train was on our to-do list. It’s one of those classic experiences everyone talks about when visiting the Cairns region. However, along the way we met quite a few travelers who weren’t overly enthusiastic afterward. Not because of the scenery, but because of one very practical downside: after the ride, everything you wear and carry smells intensely of diesel. Since we had already made a similar experience during our oldtimer tour in Cuba, we knew exactly what they meant. And honestly, we didn’t feel like dealing with headaches and that lingering smell again. So in the end, we decided to drive the route by car instead. That said, we didn’t skip Kuranda entirely. We still visited the train station and watched the train arrive, and that alone was absolutely worth it. The station itself is unique, surrounded by lush greenery, and seeing the train roll in feels special, even if you don’t hop on board.
Barron Falls
At first, we honestly debated whether the drive was worth it. The road is quite curvy, and after seeing so many waterfalls on our journey, we thought this might be just another nice stop. Looking back, we’re really glad we didn’t skip it. Barron Falls absolutely deserves a spot on your to-do list. What makes this place special is the sheer scale and power of the landscape. The waterfall cuts deeply through the gorge, surrounded by dense rainforest, and the view feels raw and impressive rather than staged. You can choose how you want to experience it. There’s the official lookout platform, which is easy to reach and offers a classic view. We personally decided to drive to the opposite side instead. From there, you get a more open and complete perspective of the falls and the surrounding gorge, which felt more natural and less crowded
Palm Field
On the drive towards Cape Tribulation, you’ll almost inevitably pass this place. It’s one of those Instagram gold spots that suddenly appears right next to the road. Endless rows of palm trees, open space, and that unmistakable Tropical Queensland vibe. You’ll know exactly when you’re there. When we visited, we were incredibly lucky. There was no one else around, no traffic, no crowds. Just us, perfect weather, and this unreal backdrop. It felt quiet, calm, and almost unreal. For us, this was a true highlight of the journey. If you continue driving all the way to the end of the road, you’ll reach Thala Beach Nature Reserve. Even if you’re not staying there, it’s worth knowing about. The resort sits above a secluded, beautiful bay and blends perfectly into the surrounding nature. The area feels remote, untouched, and very special.
Where We Stayed Near Cairns And Why Palm Cove Was The Better Choice
Even though this blog post focuses a lot on Cairns and Palm Cove, our actual accommodation was about five minutes further north in Clifton Beach, directly by the ocean. And looking back, that was one of the best decisions we made in the Cairns region. The Airbnb was so beautiful that after our multi-day trip up to Port Douglas, we didn’t even think twice. We booked it again straight away and stayed there until our departure. That alone says a lot. It felt calm, spacious, and incredibly relaxing, especially after weeks on the road.
Key pickup was easy and well organized in Palm Cove, which worked perfectly for us. The only small challenge was carrying our luggage up three floors. But honestly, that was forgotten the moment we stepped inside. The apartment itself, combined with the ocean view, more than made up for it. Waking up to the sound of the sea and having the beach right in front of us felt like the perfect way to slow down at the end of our journey.
Cairns Travel Guide For Vegetarians: Our Top Food Spots
Palm Cove and the wider Cairns region surprised us with an incredibly diverse food scene. After weeks on the road, it felt refreshing to suddenly have so many good options again, especially for relaxed breakfasts and easy snacks in between.
27 Degrees Palm Cove
For breakfast and small bites during the day, we kept coming back to 27 Degrees Palm Cove. An incredibly cute café with a relaxed vibe and exactly the kind of place you want to start your day at. The shakes were amazing, the bowls were filling without feeling heavy, and everything felt fresh and well thought through. It gave us the perfect energy boost for long days of exploring the region.
Root Vegetarian
When it came to eating in Cairns itself, there was one clear favorite for us: Root Vegetarian. Small, understated, and easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, but absolutely worth the effort. You’ll find it at Shop C/82 Lake Street, Cairns City. The food is fully plant-based, honest, and made with real care. No hype, no unnecessary extras – just great flavors and thoughtful cooking.
Cairns Travel Guide: How To Explore The Region Without Stress
Exploring the Cairns region is surprisingly easy, as long as you choose the right setup for your travel style. The key thing to understand is this: Cairns itself is compact, but the real highlights are spread out across a wide region. That’s why planning transportation upfront makes a huge difference.
Arriving in Cairns
Cairns Airport is the main gateway to Tropical North Queensland and is well connected with domestic flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and other major Australian cities. International connections exist as well, mainly via hubs in Australia. From the airport, you’re quickly on the road. Palm Cove, Clifton Beach, and the northern beaches are reachable within 15 to 25 minutes.
Exploring by Car
For us, having a rental car was the most relaxed and flexible option. Most of the highlights around Cairns, including beaches, rainforest spots, waterfalls, and scenic lookouts, are easily accessible by car. Roads are generally in good condition, well signposted, and easy to drive. A car allows you to stop when you want, avoid crowds, and explore at your own pace. Especially if you’re staying outside Cairns, this is by far the most stress-free way to get around.
Organized tours as an alternative
If you don’t want to drive, almost everything around Cairns can also be done via organized tours. Reef trips, rainforest experiences, waterfall routes, Kuranda visits, and even longer day trips are widely available. Platforms like GetYourGuide offer a huge selection of guided tours, which makes planning very simple. You get transport, timing, and logistics handled for you, which is ideal if you’re short on time or prefer a structured experience.
Cairns Travel Guide: What We Spent And What To Expect
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Accomodation
€275/night (excl. breakfast) x 9 nights = €2,475
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Food & Dining
Around €120 per day = €1,080
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Mobility
Rental Car (Toyota Prado) €120 per day = €1,080
Petrol & Parking €350 -
Activities
We enjoyed everything
for free -
Total Spent
€4,985 / AUD8,423
The Most Instagrammable Spots in the Cairns Region
Many of the places we’ve mentioned in this Cairns Travel Guide easily made it into our Queensland Top Ten blog post. And that already says a lot. This region is packed with photo-worthy locations, often without even trying to be spectacular. What really stands out is that the region itself is the highlight. You don’t need to chase specific Instagram spots or pin exact coordinates all day long. When driving from A to B, you’ll naturally slow down again and again. A change in light, a break in the clouds, a sudden view of the coast or rainforest – and you’ll find yourself pulling over without planning to.
Cairns Travel FAQ: What You Really Need To Know
The dry season from May to October is ideal for most travelers. Temperatures are pleasant, humidity is lower, and outdoor activities are more comfortable. This period also offers better conditions for exploring rainforest areas and coastal regions without heavy rainfall.
Not necessarily. The wet season brings higher humidity and frequent rain, but also dramatic landscapes, fewer crowds, and powerful waterfalls. Travelers who stay flexible and plan activities around weather conditions can still enjoy the region a lot.
A rental car is highly recommended. Many highlights are spread across the region and not easily reachable by public transport. Having a car allows you to explore at your own pace, stop spontaneously, and adjust plans based on weather and light conditions.
Four to six days is a good minimum. This allows time to explore different areas, adapt to weather changes, and enjoy the region without rushing. Longer stays are ideal if you want a slower pace or include multiple day trips.
Wildlife is part of the environment, but risks are absolutely manageable. Always follow local signs, swim only in designated areas, and respect safety instructions. Most incidents happen when warnings are ignored, not during normal, informed travel behavior.
Costs can vary. Tours and activities are often more expensive than in southern Queensland, but accommodation and food options exist for different budgets. With a mix of self-driven exploration and selected tours, costs can be well controlled.
Light clothing, sun protection, insect repellent, and comfortable walking shoes are essential. Weather can change quickly, so flexible layers are helpful. Preparation for heat and humidity makes exploring the region much more comfortable.
For many travelers, yes. Staying outside the city often feels calmer and more scenic while still allowing easy access to all highlights. It’s especially suitable for road trippers and travelers who prefer a relaxed base over urban convenience.
Trying to see too much in too little time. The region is large and diverse. Slowing down, allowing spontaneous stops, and focusing on fewer places usually leads to a more memorable and enjoyable trip.
We’d pack for heat, humidity, and “outdoor evenings.” That means strong sunscreen, hats, and also insect repellent – mosquitoes can be a real thing in North Queensland depending on recent rain and season. If we’re traveling with kids, that small prep step saves a lot of mood.
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