20 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN CAIRNS

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Cairns is probably the city we liked least in Australia, but beware ... this does not mean it is not worth a visit! In fact it is a Perfect base to explore North Queensland. If you have planned a pass through this (hot) city, in this post we will tell you the 20 best things to see and do in Cairns (and surroundings).

1. One of the most beautiful buildings in the city is that of The Cairns Post, the local newspaper.

2. Approach until Cairns library, with a very nice column facade, full of tropical plants and, of course, free wifi.

3. When night comes, go to night market (night market) and dinner there: there is a kind of food court where you can eat cheap dishes. In addition, if you want to buy the odd souvenir is the right place to do it.

4. When you pass under the trees at the crossroads of Aplin and Albott streets, look up and look at their strange inhabitants. They are neither more nor less thanbats! And no, they won't do anything to you.

5. If you only had the time to do one thing in Cairns, we wouldn't doubt it: go give yourself a dip in the Lagoon, an immense public pool, by the sea, where there is even a small artificial beach. You can also bring your sausages and use the free barbecues in the park.

6. Enjoy the sunset from the seafront, one of the areas with more atmosphere of Cairns ... well, the one that more!

7. Take advantage of the happy hour deals of some of the barecitos of the center. We had some beers in the Bavarian Beerhouse, the 0.50l beer costs $ 6.5 from Monday to Sunday from 5pm to 7pm and from 10pm to 11.30pm.

8. Right there next to it is a fast food (Kebab Oasis) where we ate a pizza that tasted like glory. And cheap: the "large" cost $ 15 (for Australia it is cheap XD).

9. Although if the budget is not a problem for you, you should try the local seafood... is reputed to be very rich (tell us, ok?).

10. Visit theKuranda Forest, is located just 30 km from Cairns and is the best thing to do in the surroundings of the city. You can arrive in a historic train, visit a small village (the Kuranda Village) with many attractions, and contemplate the whole bird's eye view in one of the longest skyrail in the world. Here we tell you our experience in the Kuranda Forest.

11. If you do not want to leave the city but still want to enjoy Australian nature, a good option is to visit the Botanical Gardens.

12. Another excursion that is absolutely worthwhile is the one that will take you to discover the Daintree Forest, one of the oldest and largest tropical forests in the world. We recommend you spend at least one night in Cape Tribulation. Here we tell you our visit to the Daintree Forest.

13. Upon return make a stop at the Daintree Village and join a 1-hour river cruise on the Daintree River. His biggest protagonist? The crocodile! We did the tour with Bruce Belcher's Daintree River Cruise And we loved it. Check out the bookme website that often offers offers (the crocodile tour cost us only $ 18 per person!).

14. Another very beautiful area is that of the Mossaman Gorge, where you can do some trekking on the banks of the very beautiful watercourse and see its curious round rocks.

15. If you are looking for ideas on where to get married, stop by Port Douglas and its beautiful wooden church on the beach (St. Mary Church). I want a wedding, I tell you that I never dreamed of putting on the white suit.

16. Learn more about the ancient aboriginal culture in the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. There are exhibitions, performances and you can even encourage yourself to launch a boomerang!

17. Take a tour to the Green Island, one of the prettiest islets on the East Coast of Australia: it has crystal clear beaches and good snorkeling. Mind you, make sure it is not the time of the Irukandji jellyfish, as small as it is deadly (it can be the size of a nail and if, you heard correctly, it can kill you).

18. If the markets are cool, do not miss the Rusty's Market. Open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. There you will find organic products, tropical fruit and the occasional exotic surprise.

19. Get out of party! In the center of Cairns there are many places to have drinks and end the day in a big way.

20. But if there is something that Cairns is famous for, it is because it is the basis for exploring theGreat Barrier Reef. We chose to do it with a scenic flight: we had heard that boat tours are quite disrespectful of this wonder of the world. But they told us that there is some company (especially diving) that is very careful not to damage the largest living organism on Earth. Find out well and draw your conclusions.