On a recent trip to Tropical North Queensland (and in between exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest), I set out to find the best FREE (or next-to-free) things to do in Port Douglas, Palm Cove, Cairns and beyond. Here are my tips.
IN THE TROPICS
Check out the Cairns Botanical Gardens. Entry is free and it’s the best place to see a huge variety of tropical plant life and some of the rarest plants in the world, like the famed Amorphophallus titanum or “corpse” flower. With self-guided walks, gardening advice, a rainforest boardwalk, beautiful bird life, and a special garden showing the traditional Aboriginal uses for many native plants, you will leave well-informed.
ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL
Need something to do? Look no further than the Cairns Esplanade. Not only has the Esplanade got plenty of places to eat, you can swim in the lagoon all year round (no stingers!). Every week, there are free fitness classes, from Pilates to aqua aerobics, volley ball training to Zumba. For the families, there are multiple playgrounds to entertain the kids, including a splash zone. Make sure you check the Cairns Council calendar of events before you leave home, as there is plenty of entertainment throughout the year.
MARKETS GALORE
What better way to experience the region than visiting a local market? Check out:
- Cairns Esplanade Markets
Open 8am to 4pm every Saturday. Locally made products, from jewellery to homewares, clothes to skincare. - Rusty’s Markets, Cairns City
Open 5am to 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 5am to 3pm on Sundays. Get your fix of tropical fruit! Rusty’s is the place to go for fruit, veg, and a host of international food and beverages. It also has specialty stalls selling chocolate, jewellery, and coffee. - Port Douglas Sunday Markets, Anzac Park
Open 8am to 1pm every Sunday. A great market featuring local products, boutique art, souvenirs, and local produce.
HIKE
Barron Falls is an easy 1.2km walk from Kuranda (the village in the rainforest). It has a spectacular waterfall, which is particularly mesmerising after a heavy rain. If you feel up to it, the Barron Gorge National Park has a great network of walking trails and you can even raft down the river (for a fee).
HOW’S THE SERENITY?
While you’re in the Barron Gorge National Park, make sure you check out the Crystal Cascades – a secluded freshwater swimming hole. Here you’ll find a picture-perfect setting: small waterfalls cascading into pools surrounded by giant boulders – yes please! It’s off the beaten path, but there are still plenty of facilities, including BBQ and picnic areas.
BEACHES (OF COURSE)
Take a walk along Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas and hike up to Island Point for a beautiful view of the area, or stroll along Palm Cove’s tropical beach. If you have a car, there are lots of beaches dotted along the coast from Cairns to the Daintree Rainforest. Just watch out for stinger season – generally October to May.
RETAIL THERAPY – BROWSE OR BUY?
Stroll down Macrossan Street for a spot of shopping in Port Douglas. Wander through boutique clothing and art stores, then grab a coffee or a takeaway lunch to enjoy in Rex Smeal Park.
SITTING AT THE DOCK OF THE BAY
Check out the mix of gorgeous luxury private yachts at The Reef Marina, Port Douglas. You’ll also see dive and cruise vessels, as The Reef Marina is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
INDIGENOUS CULTURE
You can’t leave Tropical North Queensland without a visit to the Daintree Rainforest. Where better to start than The Mossman Gorge Centre? It has an Indigenous art gallery, a shop selling handmade gifts made by local Kuku Yalanji artists, a café that combines local produce with traditional bush ingredients, and a shuttle into the Gorge (for a small fee). It’s a great starting pointfor learning about the Daintree, the Gorge, and the traditions of the Kuku Yalanji people.
MANGO WINE AND MUCH MORE
If you have a car, try a drive to the Atherton Tablelands (90km south of Cairns) for a raft of experiences. Visit Tolga Bat Hospital ($20 per adult, $10 per child, bookings essential), or check out the 70m crater at Mount Hypipamee National Park. Or sample some of the region’s best quality produce – from Mungalli Creek Dairy’s bio-dynamic cheeses, to Gallo Dairyland’s handcrafted chocolates (where you’ll also find an animal nursey for the kids), to Golden Drop Winery’s mango wines.
