Cairns is located on the North Queensland coast 17 degrees south of the Equator. A true tropical paradise with a unique natural environment, it shares the latitude as Tahiti and Fiji.

Cairns is the gateway to 2 World Heritage listed areas - the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforests - and provides direct access to the genuine outback and many Australian adventure experiences.

As a well-established travel destination, Cairns offers an huge range of activities such as diving and snorkeling on the Reef, fishing, white-water rafting, sky-diving and parachuting, hot air ballooning, helicopter flights, horse-riding, bushwalking and camping. In fact around 600 tours leave Cairns on a daily basis.

Catering for people of all ages and nationalities, this cosmopolitan city of 140,000 people is modern and colourful with international class facilities. The lifestyle is relaxed and unhurried with wide a diversity of attractions and activities throughout the region.

Cairns has countless takeaway shops, restaurants, pubs and cafés featuring foods from all over the world. Other attractions include a library, a casino, and a local museum, as well as cinemas, art galleries, night clubs and souvenir shops. A focal point for outdoor social activities and festivals is the Esplanade Lagoon area, where visitors can barbecue, swim or go for a stroll while taking in the beautiful natural view of Trinity Inlet.

Weather & Climate

Cairns has a tropical climate and the weather is perfect nearly all year round. The best weather in Cairns is in winter (May to October) with mild temperatures, low humidity and cool sea breezes making it pleasurable for activities. November to April is the summer wet season with higher temperatures and humidty, and tropical rainfalls caused by the monsoons.

Month	Max Temp °C	Min Temp °C	Humidity %	Rainfall mm	Rain Days
January	31.5	23.6	75	405	17
February	31.1	23.7	78	434	16
March	30.5	23.0	78	424	18
April	29.2	21.5	78	198	15
May	27.5	19.9	77	100	12
June	25.8	17.6	74	49	9
July	25.6	17.0	74	30	7
August	26.5	17.5	71	27	8
September	27.8	18.6	67	35	6
October	29.4	20.5	66	38	7
November	30.6	22.2	67	89	9
December	31.4	23.3	70	176	12

• Pack loose comfortable tropical clothing, swimwear and sunglasses, limit exposure to the tropical sun with sunscreen and hats.
• Casual lightweight clothing is suitable for the North Queensland climate, with something a little more ‘dressy’ for the evening.
• Pack a light jacket or a sweater for winter evenings.
• You can swim all year, so bring a swimsuit.
• Pack comfortable shoes for walking.