A road trip to the beautiful city of Cairns, on Queensland’s far north coast is a must-do element of any Australian vacation. If your mode of travel is campervan, you can hire one in Cairns and discover a great variety of things to see and do for free, or very cheaply – making it an excellent destination for those on a budget.
Beaches With a campervan to get you around, it doesn’t cost anything to hang out on a tropical sandy beach, and the beaches are a photographer’s dream. From November to May, stingers are at their most prevalent although most beaches have safe swimming enclosures that can offer protection from Box Jellyfish.
Photo: Skyseeker
Palm Cove is about half an hour north of Cairns. With its picture perfect swaying palms and long white sandy beaches, Palm Cove is considered one of the more upmarket beach destinations. Palm Cove has a popular jetty for fishing, and the area has many restaurants and casual cafes.
Ellis Beach is around 5 kilometres north of Palm Cove and is considered one of the prettiest in beaches in the area, with 5 kilometres of pristine golden sand. If you to like to ditch your swimming gear, then this is the beach for you, as it’s the only nude beach in Cairns.
Wildlife & Attractions
Cairns Dome and Cairns Zoom is a wildlife exhibit right in the heart of Cairns. The Dome is home to a variety of native flora and fauna, including koalas, pythons and crocodiles. Within the complex, Zoom is the world’s first ‘adventure ropes course’ inside a wildlife park. If you like a little adventure, there are zip lines and rope crossings of different heights and difficulty levels right above 4 metre crocs. Admission charges range from $22 to $75 for the ultimate park adventure.
Photo:Paul
The Great Barrier Reef – A day trip to the remarkable natural wonder for a spot of snorkelling or scuba diving can stretch the budget as organised tours can be expensive. But if you do a little forward planning, you can still get out and explore the tropical waters for next to nothing. If you’re prepared to volunteer as a crew member for a day, simply turn up at the local yacht clubs or pontoons and chat to the yachties, and the chances are good that you can be part of an amazing adventure, while you make new friends.
The Cairns Museum & Art Gallery – If you want to learn something about Cairns and surrounds, or look at some contemporary and indigenous art, there’s something for everyone who’s like a little culture. For the modest fee of just $5 for museum entry, it’s worth doing.
Tourist & Recreation Activities
Half Day Kayaking – is a great way to spend a leisurely half day in the clear, fresh waters of the World Heritage Listed Wooroonooran National Park, about 60 kilometres south of Cairns. The creeks are teeming with fish, turtles and you may even spot a platypus. This affordable activity, self tour activity is only around $35 for a half day’s kayak hire.
Tubing Tours – At Behana Gorge, you can enjoy some white-water fun, do a little fresh water snorkelling or just hang out on a big rubber tube. Tours includes morning and afternoon tea and free Facebook photos. Prices start from $69
Photo: Luke
Walking Tours – All around Cairns, there are hundreds of tracks for keen hikers or leisurely strollers where you’ll experience some of the most stunning tropical scenery in the world. Cairns Botanic Gardens is just a suburb north of the city, and a relaxing walk up Mount Whitfield will show you a bird’s eye view of Cairns.
Dining & Nightlife
There are plenty of affordable dining options in Cairns, and many Cairns restaurants rank among the best in the world. Eating out almost always provides the added bonus of glistening water views.
The Reef Casino is for anyone who likes a little bet, the boutique casino complex offers all the gaming options you’ll find in a large casino, as well as 4 restaurants including everything from chic upmarket dining, to an affordable bar and grill and a cafe. Flinders Bar & Grill offers a main meal for $8 from a special menu on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Regular live entertainment makes the Casino a one-stop venue.
Cairns RSL Club has a beautiful waterfront restaurant, and cheap beer. The most expensive main course on the restaurant menu is the Surf & Turf, a 300g sirloin, topped with fresh prawns and bugs and creamy garlic sauce for $30. Lighter meals start at $15.
Photo:Neils
BYO Restaurants – usually always offer a cheaper dining option when you can bring your own alcoholic drinks. Here are just three of the more popular BYOs in Cairns:
Bello Cafe is a low-key cafe offering elegant southern Italian cuisine
Tandoori Nights has authentic Indian cuisine as hot or mild as you like.
Thai Pan Restaurant serves outstanding Thai food, with a recommendation to try the SteamBowl.
(Featured image: Dave)
