Best 5 Things to Do in Cairns, Australia – Immerse in Nature

Platypuses are adorable creatures and they are a lot smaller than you think. They are the most strange and the rarest animals that you can spot in the wild; however, the Platypus Park at Tarzali Lakes is a great place to spot these duck-billed platypuses and you shouldn't forget to include a visit to this place in your itinerary. It is located within one and a half hours' driving distance from Oaks Cairns Hotel via State Route 52 and makes for an ideal day trip. You could look forward to spotting at least 4-5 platypuses here and this place can even be visited on your way to other locations that include waterfalls in Cairns.

Waterfalls are a magnificent creation of Mother Nature – and in Cairns, you'd find particularly beautiful waterfalls that would take your breath right away. There are several waterfalls in Cairns that you'd be hard-pressed for choice; the best of these are found in the Atherton Tablelands and you should definitely find some time to visit these waterfalls including Millaa Millaa Waterfalls, Barron Falls, and Josephine Falls. During a holiday spent at one of the Brisbane hotels, get together with your loved ones, hire a car, and embark on a day trip to check out the spectacular waterfalls that adorn Cairns.

One of the coolest ways of exploring the Great Barrier Reef is to spend a night there. A night here would be quite an ethereal experience starting with the sun's last few rays shimmering upon the ocean waves. Imagine gazing at the stars and falling asleep to the sound of gently swishing waves around your boat – make sure you hire a liveaboard as it will help you not only to spend the night comfortably but also to access dive sites with the best conditions. You could also arrange to stay on a pontoon on the reef but this offers less flexibility than liveaboards; however, they come with other activities including glass-bottomed boat rides and flights around the reef.

Yet another place that you have to do while in Cairns is to visit Kuranda Village. It is nestled in a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Wet Tropics of Queensland. The journey to this village itself is a scintillating experience. Kuranda Village is famous for its markets that can be found spread over two locations including Heritage Markets and Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets. Here, you'd be able to purchase unusual souvenirs and trinkets that you could have as keepsakes or gift your loved ones back home. Moreover, there are plenty of restaurants, food stalls, and cafés in this village where you can rest for a while and grab something to eat.

Once you've had your fill of sightseeing and adventurous escapades in Cairns, why not take a dip in the Cairns Esplanade lagoon to relax your tired self. This lagoon is also an entrance to the Great Barrier Reef and it is considered a safe place to swim.