Last Updated on April 29, 2024 by Sam
If you’re planning a trip to Cairns, look no further than this comprehensive 3 day itinerary. Packed full of incredible nature, it covers the highlights in this part of Tropical North Queensland – from the amazing Cairns wildlife to stunning waterfalls in the Tablelands to the iconic Great Barrier Reef! With so much to see and do in the area, it’s definitely possible to extend your Cairns itinerary to 4 or 5 days – or even a week – and still have plenty of incredible things to do during your visit. Thankfully though, it’s possible to see plenty of amazing things in just three days if you follow this ultimate 3 day Cairns itinerary!
Planning to see more of the east coast? Check out our three week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary for inspiration!
Where to stay in Cairns
An important part of your three day Cairns itinerary is finding a suitable place to stay. If you haven’t already got somewhere booked, check out our brief guide to the best options for all budgets below!
Budget
Travellers Paradise
If you’re looking for budget accommodation in Cairns, the Travellers Paradise Hostel is a wonderful option. This centrally-located hostel offers a range of great facilities including a large swimming pool, as well as a shared kitchen.
All rooms at the hostel are air-conditioned, and free street parking is available nearby to the hostel – which is ideal as you need a car for this itinerary. Prices at the hostel start from just $138 AUD per night for a private room.
Click here to book a stay at the great value Travellers Paradise on Booking.com!
Mid-Range
The Abbott Boutique Hotel
The Abbot Boutique Hotel offers is an affordable 4-star hotel in the centre of Cairns. Located just a 5-minute walk from the marina, it’s in a brilliant location for day trips to the Great Barrier Reef, as well as being nearby to several restaurants and bars.
All rooms at the hotel have air-conditioning and a flat-screen TV, so you can relax in comfort when you’re not out exploring the area. Prices start from just $160 AUD per night, which is incredible value for such a well-located 4-star hotel!
Click here to book a stay at the wonderful Abbott Boutique Hotel on Booking.com!
Treat Yourself!
Crystalbrook Riley
Luxurious yet affordable, the Crystalbrook Riley hotel is undoubtedly one of the best places to stay in Cairns during your 3 day itinerary. The hotel boasts a fantastic swimming pool, as well as being home to Rocco – the highest rooftop bar in Cairns!
All rooms at the hotel feature a 55-inch Smart TV, an iPad control centre, a Nespresso coffee-machine, and a number of other top quality facilities and amenities. Prices for a stay at the Crystalbrook Riley start from just $250 AUD per night!
Click here to book a stay at the brilliant Crystalbrook Riley on Booking.com!
Shangri-La The Marina
Brilliantly located by the Cairns Marina, the Shangri-La is perfect for an unforgettable getaway. The hotel boasts brilliant facilities, including a wonderful swimming pool, fitness centre, and even a complimentary shoeshine service!
All rooms are spacious and feature their own private balcony, as well as air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, minibar, and more! Prices vary depending on the season, but expect rates to start from around $245 AUD per night.
Click here to book a stay at the amazing Shangri-La The Marina on the Booking.com website!
Alternatively, VRBO have some fantastic accommodation options if you want to rent a property instead of staying at a hotel! Click here to see the amazing options on the VRBO website!
Ultimate 3 day Cairns itinerary
Renting a car is essential to cover the best things to do in Cairns and the surrounding area of Far North Queensland. There are some incredible places to visit that will only be accessible by car, so renting one for your trip is a necessity for this Cairns itinerary.
Thankfully renting a car is affordable, especially if you book in advance via the Discover Cars website. They often have great deals available, and they compare between a number of operators to get you the best possible price!
Click here to find the best deals for your trip on the Discover Cars website!
Day 1
Town Centre and Cairns Lagoon
Kick off your 3 day Cairns itinerary by taking a wander around the CBD in order to familiarise yourself with the area. The CBD is substantially smaller than other Australian cities like Melbourne and Brisbane, but it’s still home to a number of restaurants, bars, shops, and more!
Once you’ve had a good wander around the city, head towards the waterfront to the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. This saltwater lagoon is essentially a free public swimming pool, overlooking the ocean.
It’s not safe to swim at the beaches in the area due to the presence of stingers and crocodiles, so the lagoon acts as a safe swimming space for locals and tourists! There is space to lay out your towels and belongings beside the lagoon, either on the sandy areas by water or the grass slightly further away.
The Cairns Lagoon is open from 6am to 9pm every day, except Wednesdays when it is only open from 12pm to 9pm. It’s understandably a popular spot, but no visit to Cairns is complete without at least a quick dip in the lagoon.
Once you’ve finished up at the lagoon, take a walk along the Cairns Esplanade Boardwalk. Stretching for 2.5 kilometres, this waterfront boardwalk is a lovely place for a stroll whilst looking out to sea.
Palm Cove
Next up it’s time to head north to Palm Cove, which is around a 25-minute drive from the Cairns CBD. As we’ve already mentioned, a car is essential for this Cairns itinerary in order to see the amazing nature the area has to offer. If you haven’t already arranged a car, click here now to find the best deals on the Rental Cars website!
Palm Cove is a small and quiet coastal village, with a long sandy beach lined with palm trees. The palm trees make it a picturesque spot to visit, and it’s a lovely place to walk by the seafront.
Free parking is available by the beachfront, although you may have to drive a fair way along to find a free space. There are also several bars and restaurants near the beachfront, so there are plenty of places to choose from if you want some lunch or a snack!
Kuranda
Your next destination is Kuranda, and the best way to get there is via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. This gondola skyrail covers 7.5 kilometres and offers incredible views of the Barron Gorge National Park and the world’s oldest tropical rainforest as you make your way to Kuranda.
Along the journey you will get to see the famous Barron Falls, which is particularly impressive during the rainy season when the falls are in full flow. Once you arrive in Kuranda the main attraction is the incredible surrounding rainforest, where it’s possible to see a variety of wildlife including cassowaries.
The skyrail can be booked in advance via Get Your Guide, and you will want to book for the midday departure. You will need an early start to see the town centre and visit Palm Cove before this, but if you want to take things at a slower pace you can always extend to a 4 day Cairns itinerary and book the 9.45am skyrail so that you can spend more time in Kuranda.
Tickets cost $157 AUD per person, which includes a one-way journey up on the skyrail and then a trip on the Kuranda Scenic Railway back to Cairns. This way you get to see both the skyrail and the famous railway, which are both two of the top things to do in Cairns!
Click here to book your skyrail and scenic railway tickets on the Get Your Guide website!
Upon arrival, you have some free time in Kuranda. We personally recommend taking the Kuranda Riverboat, which cruises along the Barron River and is a great way to discover the rainforest. This guided boat tour lasts 45 minutes and is extremely informative about the amazing rainforest, and there is the possibility to see crocodiles, cassowaries, turtles, and more on the trip!
These trips are great value at just $25 per person, and will definitely be a highlight of your Cairns itinerary. If you are taking the midday skyrail journey then you will need to book onto the 2.30pm riverboat trip, as this will just give you enough time to get to the railway station for your trip back to Cairns. Click here to visit the Kuranda Riverboat website to book your tickets now!
The final part of your day is a breathtaking journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway as you make your way back to Cairns. Enjoy stunning rainforest and mountain views along the way, as well as a stop at the Barron Falls lookout so that you can appreciate this amazing waterfall in all its glory.
After approximately 2 hours you will arrive back in Cairns at Freshwater Station, at which point you will take a short transfer to where you parked at the Skyrail Smithfield Terminal. Make sure to book your tickets now using the Get Your Guide link above to ensure you can enjoy the incredible skyrail and scenic railway journey during your 3 day Cairns itinerary!
Day 2
Millaa Millaa Falls
The second day of your 3 day Cairns itinerary takes you to the breathtaking Millaa Millaa Falls, one of the most iconic waterfalls in the region. Located in the lush rainforests of the Atherton Tablelands, this stunning waterfall will leave you in awe.
There is a fair bit of driving to do on the second day of this itinerary, but it’s well worth it to discover the amazing beauty of the Tablelands. It’s around a 90-minute drive from Cairns to Millaa Millaa Falls, so make sure to have a reasonably early start.
When you arrive, park in the free car park and from there it only takes a minute or two to walk to the waterfall. With a drop of 18 metres, the Millaa Millaa Falls are an impressive sight, and it’s mesmerising to watch the water flow through the surrounding rainforest into the pool below.
It’s worth driving here just for a glimpse of this beautiful waterfall, but if you want to make the most of your visit then take the chance to swim here too. Swimming at Millaa Millaa Falls is an unforgettable experience, and is definitely a great way to cool off from the tropical heat!
In many ways it reminded us of swimming in the famous waterfall at Krka National Park in Croatia, but thankfully Millaa Millaa Falls wasn’t as busy during our trip – so make the most of the chance to swim in this tropical paradise!
Zillie Falls
This part of the Atherton Tablelands is blessed with three beautiful waterfalls in close proximity to each other, so next up it’s time to visit the other two! It’s around a 10-minute drive from Millaa Millaa Falls to your next stop at Zillie Falls.
Zillie Falls isn’t as easy to access as Millaa Millaa Falls, although there is a viewing platform not far from the car park. If you want to get down to the falls themselves it’s a bit of a steep and muddy path down, which requires scrambling at points. We made it down to near the falls, but at the end it was very steep and seemed a little unsafe – so we couldn’t get a full front on view of the falls.
That being said, it’s still a lovely spot to visit – and you can definitely get at least a partial view of the falls from the viewing platform. We do recommend taking the path down further to get a better view of the waterfall, but if you have any mobility issues then it’s probably not for you.
With a drop of 30 metres, Zillie Falls is the tallest waterfall on the circuit. Hidden away in the rainforest of the Tablelands, this waterfall is a secluded and naturally beautiful spot. As it’s slightly harder to access the falls it tends to be a lot quieter than Millaa Millaa Falls.
Some people do swim at Zillie Falls, but it requires hiking down the steep path. If you’re looking to go for a swim, we recommend doing so at Millaa Millaa instead, or at Ellinjaa Falls – your next stop!
Ellinjaa Falls
Next up is the final waterfall of the circuit, Ellinjaa Falls. It’s just a couple of minutes drive away from the Zillie Falls car park, so it’s not long before you can enjoy this lovely spot.
From the parking area it’s a relatively short walk to the waterfall, via a paved path and down a number of stairs. Approximately 15 metres high, Ellinjaa Falls is the smallest waterfall on the circuit, but that doesn’t take away from its beauty.
The falls cascade down multiple tiers of rock formations in a mesmerising fashion as the water plunges into the pool below. It’s another great spot for a swim, so make sure to wear your swimming gear and head for a refreshing dip in the cool water of the falls.
Perfectly situated amongst the surrounding rainforest, it’s an incredibly picturesque spot. Make sure to bring your camera, and you can venture out onto some rocks to get a great front-on view of the falls for photos!
Turtles can occasionally seen nearby to the falls, so keep an eye out during your visit. Some websites also report that platypuses can be seen here, but you have a much better chance to see a platypus in Yungaburra – which is where you’re heading to next!
For more information on visiting these three lovely waterfalls, make sure to read our guide to the Cairns waterfall circuit in the Atherton Tablelands!
Peterson’s Creek, Yungaburra
It’s around a 35-minute drive from Ellinjaa Falls to Yungaburra, where you will first want to head to Peterson’s Creek. There is a very small parking area by the walking trails at the intersection of Penda Street and Bunya Street, but if there is no space then you can park on either street. Click here to see the location on Google Maps.
Peterson’s Creek is one of the hidden gems near Cairns, making it a perfect inclusion on your itinerary. The creek is home to a range of incredible wildlife, including tree kangaroos, platypuses, turtles, green ringtail possums, pythons, and more!
Take a stroll along the creek, making sure to walk in both directions along the trail. As you walk down from where you park, the path to your right will take you a fair way along the creek and is where we saw a number of Pademelons – which are small marsupials that look somewhat similar to the quokkas found on a day trip itinerary to Rottnest Island in Western Australia.
You can follow this path for around 20-30 minutes one-way, and then return back the way you came. Take time to look for wildlife as you walk, and stay quiet to avoid disturbing the local nature.
When you reach where you joined the trail, take the path which was originally to your left. After a short walk you will reach a suspension bridge, which you can use to cross to the other side of the creek.
This area of Peterson’s Creek is where platypuses are most commonly seen, and Natalia did briefly spot one during our visit. We spoke to a local who knows the area, and they told us that sightings there are quite common.
Fingers crossed that you do have enough luck to see a platypus, but don’t worry if not as there is still a final stop for the day where you have another chance to see one!
Platypus Viewing Platform, Yungaburra
Your final stop of the day is the Platypus Viewing Platform in Yungaburra, which is just a 2-minute drive away. This is one of the best places to see a platypus in Far North Queensland – and even in all of Australia!
The viewing platform overlooks a creek where there you have a reasonable chance of seeing a platypus, as well as some turtles. If you don’t have any luck seeing a platypus from the viewing platform, then head over the nearby road bridge and then down the path to your left which will take you under the bridge itself.
Platypus sightings seem to be more common in this area of the creek, and we were fortunate enough to have an incredible sighting here ourselves. During one of our visits we observed a platypus for around half an hour as it swam around, and it seemed to be very curious to observe us too as it kept coming very close to the water’s edge.
At times we were less than a metre away from the platypus as it kept coming close, so we were able to see it perfectly and get some brilliant photos. Of course there is no guarantee you will see a platypus here, but you do have a reasonable chance – and it’s well worth it for a glimpse of one of Australian’s most elusive animals in the wild.
Visiting here in the late afternoon/early evening is best, as platypuses are nocturnal animals so tend to be more active at this time of day. That’s why this is the perfect final stop for the second day of your Cairns itinerary.
Obviously some patience is required to spot a platypus, but it’s well worth the wait. Once you’ve hopefully had chance to see one, it’s time to drive back to Cairns – which should take around around 70 minutes from here.
Day 3
Great Barrier Reef Day Trip
The last day of your 3 day Cairns itinerary is dedicated to visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is considered the official gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, so a snorkelling or diving trip is an essential inclusion on your itinerary!
Booking is essential for a Great Barrier Reef trip, so make sure to plan ahead and book as soon as possible to ensure you get your desired date. It’s important to book with a well-reviewed operator to ensure you have the best possible trip, and ideally you want to visit some of the more remote parts of the reef – as that way there won’t be lots of other tour groups there too!
One of the best tours available can be booked through Get Your Guide and involves a trip to three different sites on the outer reef. The tour offers both snorkelling and diving, giving you the chance to head underwater and see the incredible Great Barrier Reef for yourself.
Even if you’ve never been snorkelling or diving before, this tour is still a great choice. The crew give briefings and demonstrations for snorkelling, and lifeguard snorkel officers are on hand to help out. Introductory dives are available for those who have never dived before, and if you’re already a certified diver you can book a certified dive!
Prices for this incredible tour start from just $270 AUD per person, which includes visits to three snorkel/dive sites on the outer reef and all snorkelling/diving equipment, as well as lunch and other food throughout the day. Tours last for up to 8 hours, so you get a full day trip to explore the Great Barrier Reef!
Click here to book this amazing tour on the Get Your Guide website!
We took this exact tour and thought it was incredibly well run, and we were very impressed with the different sites we visited. The snorkelling was excellent, and we managed to see a variety of incredible marine life including several turtles, a blue spotted stingray, a green humphead parrotfish, and much more!
If you have more than 3 days in Cairns, there are plenty of other great tours and activities to enjoy. Get Your Guide have a range of options including trips to Cape Tribulation, scenic flights of the Great Barrier Reef, white water rafting, and much more!
Click here to see the incredible tours available on the Get Your Guide website!
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