Cairns: Best Itinerary Ideas
How many days do you need in?
- Most travelers spend 5-6 days in Cairns
- Visiting Cairns in 4 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 7 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Sydney, Port Douglas, and Hamilton Island
How Many Days to Spend in Australia
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Recommended Itineraries for Cairns
Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cairns, Explore | Cairns |
| Day 2 | Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Tour to Green Island | Cairns |
| Day 3 | Full-Day Kuranda Rainforest Tour | Cairns |
| Day 4 | Free Day in Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 5 | Aboriginal Fishing & Daintree Rainforest Tour | Cairns |
| Day 6 | Depart Cairns |
Experience all Cairns has to offer on this whirlwind Australian holiday. Spend the beginning of your trip relaxing and snorkeling around the Great Barrier Reef and Green Island. Continue into the rainforest to fly above the trees in a cable car and board one of the most famous train rides in the world, then dive into the heritage of the First Nations people as you learn traditional fishing techniques. Read more
Extended Itineraries
1-Week Itinerary Including Sydney & Melbourne
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Melbourne 7 November 2021 | Melbourne |
| Day 2 | Travel Great Ocean Road | Melbourne |
| Day 3 | Travel to Sydney and Afternoon Pub Tour | Sydney |
| Day 4 | Blue Mountains Hiking Day Trip | Sydney |
| Day 5 | Travel to Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 6 | Cairns - Great Barrier Reef Day Trip 29 December 2021 | Cairns |
| Day 7 | Departure From Melbourne |
On this weeklong trip to Australia, experience three different cities and several landmarks along the way. The itinerary begins in Melbourne, where you can enjoy some local sightseeing. Then, travel the Great Ocean Road, which hosts scenic lookouts like The Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard. The next stop is Sydney, which includes a pub crawl and a day trip to the stunning Blue Mountains. The final leg takes you to Cairns, where the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park awaits, as well as a memorable finale at the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Read more
10-Day Itinerary Including Sydney & Uluru
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Airlie Beach to Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 2 | Cairns - Great Barrier Reef Day Trip | Cairns |
| Day 3 | Cairns - Free Day | Cairns |
| Day 4 | Travel to Uluru | Uluru |
| Day 5 | Uluru - Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 6 | Travel to Sydney | Sydney |
| Day 7 | Sydney - Sydney Harbour Bridgeclimb | Sydney |
| Day 8 | Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Trip | Sydney |
| Day 9 | Sydney - Free Day | Sydney |
| Day 10 | Depart From Sydney |
On this 10-day trip to Australia, enjoy a mix of city tours and outdoor excursions. First, explore Cairns, along with a memorable day trip to the famed Great Barrier Reef. Next, visit the outback of Uluru and the iconic Ayers Rock. Then, land in Sydney for a city tour, a day of wine tasting in Hunter Valley, and a free day to experience the BridgeClimb at Sydney Harbour Bridge and the renowned Sydney Opera House. Read more
10-Day Itinerary Including Sydney, Uluru & Melbourne
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Melbourne | Melbourne |
| Day 2 | Phillip Island Penguin Parade | Melbourne |
| Day 3 | Melbourne - Great Ocean Road | Melbourne |
| Day 4 | Melbourne - Uluru (Ayers Rock) | Uluru |
| Day 5 | Uluru to Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 6 | Cairns - Great Barrier Reef | Cairns |
| Day 7 | Cairns - Kuranda Scenic Railway Skyrail and Wildlife Experience | Cairns |
| Day 8 | Sydney City Sights | Sydney |
| Day 9 | Sydney - Blue Mountains | Sydney |
| Day 10 | Depart Sydney |
Cover the highlights on this 10-day tour that perfectly combines urban exploration with outdoor excursions starting in the cultural capital of Melbourne—a great jumping-off point to explore nearby Phillip Island and the Great Ocean Road. Venture into the "Red Center" to visit the iconic Ayers Rock before flying out to tropical Cairns to cuddle with a koala and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. End your stay with a Sydney city tour and a day trip to Blue Mountains National Park. Read more
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