See Great, Leave Greater: Escape to Extraordinary in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

My weeklong stay in Cairns during my last visit to the Land Downunder left a lasting impression, something I think is quite common for first-time visitors. Watching the sunrise over the Great Barrier Reef, grabbing deliciously fresh fruit from an open-air market in town, and catching up with old friends at a pub near the iconic Cairns Esplanade were all highlights, and that's to say nothing about the views of the city from 4,572 m (15,000 ft) above the ocean.

I wish I'd planned to spend more time in and around Cairns after my time there, knowing that I barely scratched the surface of this incredible corner of Australia's Sunshine State. The breathtakingly diverse landscapes, authentic natural and cultural experiences, and secluded corners of paradise in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef make them unlike any other destinations, ensuring endless opportunities for discovery.

Demanding the time to truly immerse, linger, and savour its wonders at a slower pace, it's the ideal destination for globetrotters craving meaningful and transformative experiences. Whether you've never been before or lived there for years, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef are the ultimate sanctuary where unplugging from the fast pace of life comes easy. 

A Journey Worth Lingering

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, havens for those craving tranquility, encourage you to slow down, take your time, and fully absorb their unique character at your own pace. The remote location, coupled with a wide variety of experiences, ensures you'll always have new and engaging things to do. Whether you're craving adrenaline-filled adventures, indulgent gastronomy, wildlife encounters and birdwatching, island-hopping, or simply lounging on the region's world-renowned beaches, the tranquility of this diverse region promises truly enriching travel for everyone.

As the only region in Australia with two distinct Indigenous cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef promise extensive and immersive cultural experiences in step with the region's slow-travel spirit. The region's thriving art scenes beautifully embody the thousands of years of history, showcasing captivating Indigenous and contemporary art collections in several art galleries and museums, from the expansive Cairns Museum to the Bana Tirriji Art and Cultural Centre near Cooktown. Coupling this with delicious tropic and Indigenous-inspired cuisine, highlighted by local mangoes, bananas, pineapples, freshly caught seafood, and even kangaroo, emu, and crocodile, guarantees profound experiences for every one of your senses. 

There’s no better way to linger and unwind than on soft sand beaches, hidden away from the rest of the world, and you'll find some of your best options just north of Cairns. The Cairns Northern Beaches stretch roughly 26 km (16 mi) from the city’s central business district, highlighted by the intimate Palm Cove, where you’ll find friendly boutiques, award-winning spas and restaurants, and shaded trails leading you to cozy tropical beaches. Venturing further north will lead you to the beautiful Four Mile Beach along the edge of Port Douglas, where the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest collide. This incredible stretch along Queensland’s northeastern coast is a favourite for locals and visitors alike, offering several beaches for you to bask in the warm tropical sun away from the crowds, cooling off under swaying palm trees or in the idyllic Coral Sea.  

Embarking on a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk is another incredible cultural experience and a must for any Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef visitor who finds themselves at the Mossman Gorge. This experience begins with a traditional smoking ceremony, cleansing and warding off any bad spirits, before journeying through the lush and living Daintree Rainforest alongside your Indigenous guide. Discover the narratives woven into the rainforest as you learn about traditional plant use, bush food sources, and traditions, fostering a more profound respect and connection to this ancient corner of the world alongside its original custodians.

Uncover Nature’s Hidden Masterpieces: From Reef to Rainforest and Beyond

Words scarcely do justice to the breathtaking sights within the world’s largest living reef system—an experience sure to captivate even the most seasoned travellers. Exploring the Great Barrier Reef above and below the surface is a bucket-list-worthy experience for many globetrotters, and Lizard Island, tropical Queensland’s most northern luxury resort nestled directly on the Great Barrier Reef, serves as an exquisite oasis to do so.

Lizard Island’s 24 powdery-white beaches, 40 luxury suites designed in harmony with the surrounding natural beauty, and secluded location make it the ideal escape for anyone hungry for intimate experiences at this iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accessible only by an incredibly scenic chartered flight from Cairns, Lizard Island is a secluded and luxurious escape only for the discerning few. The resort’s proximity to Cod Hole, one of the Great Barrier Reef’s most prestigious dive sites, and the 1,013 hectares of Lizard Island National Park promise remarkable private reef experiences, ensuring you spend less time competing with crowds and more time creating unforgettable moments with those who matter most.

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef’s rich, ancient, and unique Wet Tropics region offers equally spectacular natural scenery and wildlife as the Great Barrier Reef. Cape Tribulation, where these two UNESCO World Heritage Sites collide, is the perfect setting for beach relaxation before in-depth rainforest exploration. Over 130 million years of evolution and history are woven across the Daintree Rainforest with plenty of immersive experiences that bring you closer than ever before to the incredible wildlife. As the world’s oldest living rainforest, it is home to 20% of Australia’s bird species, 35% of Australia’s frogs, marsupials, and reptiles, and 65% of Australia’s bat and butterfly species, promising truly unique wildlife experiences on every visit.

Any trip to Australia would only be complete with an Outback journey, and luckily, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef are privy to one of the country’s best. Venture from the lush rainforests along Queensland’s northeast coast to the Northern Territory border on the Savannah Way, one of Australia’s great road trips, passing through 15 national parks and five World Heritage Sites. Wandering through intricate lava tubes carved out from billions of cubic litres of flowing lava from the Undara Volcano 190,000 years ago, cruising through the Cobbold Gorge’s towering sandstone walls, and exploring the Chillagoe Caves that were once part of a coral reef are all incredible possibilities along this journey, showcasing the best of Australia’s iconic road trips.

Discover Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef for yourself with Goway.