Cairns family-friendly travel guide

Cairns’ tropical climate means that it experiences a wet season and a dry season. The wet season tends to be between December and April. While the temperature is best at this time, the rain may interrupt holiday plans. The temperature is always mild with humidity, so Cairns is still pleasant in winter. The best time of year would be spring, when the temperature is perfect and the rainfall is still low.

Between the months of December and February, summer has an average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius and has an average monthly rainfall of 277 millimetres.

Between the months of March and May, autumn has an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and has an average monthly rainfall of 220 millimetres.

Between the months of June and August, winter has an average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius and has an average monthly rainfall of 33 millimetres.

Between the months of September and November, spring has an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and has an average monthly rainfall of 73 millimetres.

The local airport is Cairns Airport. Depending on what you’re planning to do on your holiday, you may wish to hire a car at the airport so that you can then go on road trips.

Taxis are available at Cairns Airport to take you to the city or your hotel.

Sun Palm Transport operate a shuttle bus from the airport to most accommodation providers in Cairns. You can pre-book this service or get a ticket upon arrival in Cairns. Airport Connect is also run by the Sun Palm Transport Group and links to the Translink public transport network. This costs $6 one way and can be pre-booked or purchased on arrival.

Sunbus public transport service operates around Cairns. You can get single, daily or weekly fares. The Spirit of Queensland train runs between Brisbane and Cairns five times a week.

Cairns is criss-crossed with cycling paths, a perfect way for families to travel around the area once they arrive. Some of the most popular routes take in the Esplanade, Botanic Gardens and Centenary Lakes.

Cairns has some great opportunities to try local produce at Rusty’s Markets and at tropical fruit farms in the Atherton Tablelands.

Because Cairns gets so many tourists and backpackers, there is a wide variety of cuisines on offer in the evening, with many restaurants offering early-bird specials. Along the esplanade, you can find a number of seafood restaurants and ice-cream parlours.

If you’re taking the kids to Muddy’s Playground, make sure you also stop by Muddy’s Cafe for a snack. The Paradiso Cafe is also a great place for a light snack or coffee.

Try French at C’est Bon, tapas at Fusion Art Bar & Tapas or Mexican at Montezuma’s. For Australian cuisine, head to Dundee’s Restaurant on the Waterfront, Nu Nu Restaurant or Ochre Restaurant. You might even get to try some crocodile or kangaroo!

If you want to go shopping in Cairns, there’s Cairns Central, DFO Cairns or The Pier. However, the most popular shopping venues are the two markets.

Rusty’s Markets are on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The markets mostly sell produce but there are also some jewellery and clothing stalls.

The Night Markets are held every evening. They are the perfect place to buy souvenirs for family and friends back home, or a little gift to treat yourself!

Tipping is appreciated, but not expected in Australia.

Cairns has beautiful warm weather all year round, so you will mainly want light layers. Maybe pack a light jacket in case you get a cooler day on your trip.

Remember to be sun safe with a hat and sunscreen.

Australia is renowned for its laid-back, egalitarian culture. By and large, friendliness is equated with good manners.

Mains voltage in Australia is 230V AC, 50Hz. Use a three-pin adaptor (different to British three-pin adaptors).

No special immunisations or vaccinations are required to visit Australia unless you have come from, or have visited, a yellow fever infected country within six days of your arrival. However, regulations and medical advice can change at short notice, so check with your doctor and the Australian Department of Health before you leave home.

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Australian cities.

Cairns is in the tropics, so there are few safety issues to be aware of.

Queensland often has floods and cyclones during the wet season. If possible, travel outside of the wet season to avoid these dangers.

Cairns has lots of wildlife in and out of the water to be wary of. If hiking, wear long pants, long socks and enclosed shoes to protect against snakes. If you’re going swimming, look out for signs warning of crocodiles and sharks in the area. You may also want to wear stinger suits to protect against stingers.

There are so many natural wonders worth photographing in and around Cairns. On the mainland, there’s Palm Cove, the Crystal Cascades, Mossman Gorge and Port Douglas. If you’re willing to go for a bit of a drive, head to Cow Bay and Cape Tribulation.

In Kuranda, people like to stop to take a photo of the Kuranda Heritage Markets, Barron Falls and the Kuranda Scenic Railway.

In the Atherton Tablelands, there are many beautiful waterfalls to capture with your camera, including Millaa Millaa Falls, Ellinjaa Falls and Nandroya Falls.

Off the coast, there are many places around the Great Barrier Reef to take your perfect Instagram shot. The most popular are Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island, Green Island and Vlassof Cay.