Cairns

Reef below, rainforest above and flip-flops everywhere. 
Cairns is your launchpad to tropical North Queensland, where it's hot, lush and laidback in the best way. One minute you're snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, the next you're deep in the Daintree Rainforest surrounded by vines, waterfalls and air that feels like a facial. 

Things to do in Cairns are built for adventure. Take a reef tour, jump on the Skyrail to Kuranda, or cool off in the Esplanade Lagoon with half the town. If you're into wildlife, there are crocodiles to spot, butterflies to chase and a bird or two that might just follow you home. 

Food is casual, cold drinks are essential and there's usually live music within walking distance. Cairns isn't flashy - it's friendly, outdoorsy and knows how to put the tropics to good use. 

Bring your swimmers, bug spray and a sense of adventure. Cairns is easy to get to, hard to sit still in and impossible to forget.