If you're not too fussy about gourmet cuisine and simply want a decent feed, both the Esplanade southern end and Spence Street provide a huge range of choices to fill your belly. If the price isn't a concern, then your options for dining in Cairns open up exponentially and your choice will largely depend on what sort of cuisine you're after. For the best Italian pasta and other authentic dishes check out Bellocale on Shield Street, good sushi is available at Sushi Paradise on Grafton Street, Houdini's on Sheridan Street does authentic pizzas, and Perrotta's at the Gallery provides a delicious Mediterranean menu.
If you're short on ideas for eating out in Cairns or simply want to stumble across something new, just head down to the pier and walk around. You'll not only find a number of quality restaurants, you'll be treated to beautiful views over the water while you dine.
Drinking-wise, Cairns' nightlife scene shines bright see the Nightlife section above. Regardless of if you're looking to eat or drink on the cheap or open your wallet and make a splash, there's a restaurant, bar or club for everyone in Cairns.
There's a perception that Port Douglas' dining options are all expensive, however, this isn't the case. Port Douglas' restaurant scene is fairly expansive with 42 restaurants catering to a population of a mere during peak , and some of its restaurants are truly high-end considering its relatively regional location.
The major difference in offerings between the two cities shows when looking towards drinking venues such as pubs and bars.
A few main pubs and bars can be found in Port Douglas which form the major hangouts for those looking to enjoy a drink. With an enjoyable, laid-back atmosphere the only downside is that drink prices are typically steeper than average. Meal-wise, Port Douglas' dining facilities are generally more upmarket and staff at many of the restaurants do tend to have a bit more of a small-town, hands-on and friendly approach than those of Cairns.
While it will obviously depend on the individual, staffers of Port's restaurants often seem to be more willing to strike up and hold a conversation rather than just dump your dishes on the table and only return to bring you the bill. As long as you're not keeping too tight a grip on your purse strings, the options for dining in Port Douglas are — while not as completely abundant as Cairns — plentiful enough that you'll always have something new and delicious to try.
The Verdict: Cairns has one of the most diverse arrays of dining options available in Tropical North QLD, but Port Douglas doesn't fall far behind in its offerings either; however it's slightly easier to find cheaper meals in Cairns than it is in Port Douglas.
And now we come to what is going to be, for many, the major sticking point between the two destinations. It's with this in mind that we can safely say that Cairns is generally cheaper across the board than Port Douglas, particularly if you're willing to book into backpacker style accommodations. In addition, it's not just the cost of staying, eating and drinking in Cairns that often works out cheaper — factors such as travelling to some of the inland sightseeing hotspots if you're taking a tour or getting transfers can help cut back on additional costs as well.
One of the major driving factors that keeps the price of everything from accommodation to tours to food relatively down in Cairns is sheer competition. Port Douglas' smaller scale means there are fewer options to choose from. Of course, this cheaper average can also sometimes come with a decrease in quality as a large number of accommodation facilities are oriented towards the backpacker market and are largely no-frills affairs which drag the average price of Cairns accommodation down significantly.
On the upper-end of the accommodation spectrum, there are numerous high-end resorts in Cairns that offer an atmosphere of exclusivity on the waterfront. While many may be tempted to stay on one of the many nearby islands to fulfil their tropical dreams, it's much more budget-conscientious to stay at a high-level resort on the mainland and then take your day trips out to the islands instead.
Tours to various nearby attractions, including Great Barrier Reef , Kuranda and the popular Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Experience , are also typically cheaper from Cairns than Port Douglas owing to the combination of distance and competition. In saying this, it is the opposite case if you're wanting to visit the Daintree Rainforest or the Outer Great Barrier Reef.
There are various tour operator in the Cairns region, so it's best to do your research and book your tour online to avoid missing out once you arrive. Cairns' bus system is also quite well-run and buses are available that can help you get to some of the most popular attractions at a reasonable price. If you're going to be visiting multiple areas or attractions during your visit, hiring a car can work out cheaper, especially if you're looking to travel up to Port Douglas.
Add this to the additional savings on transportation that can be garnered from flying directly into Cairns as opposed to having to arrange an additional trip from the airport to Port Douglas, the larger range of options for affordable food, and the potentially cheaper tours, and it's all these little things that can make the average Cairns experience that bit cheaper overall than Port Douglas.
While generally, Port Douglas has a reputation for being a more exclusive destination which carries over in price, it's more a matter of self-control than anything as it is entirely possible to experience Port Douglas on the cheap, perhaps just not as cheaply as Cairns. Instead, Port Douglas can basically be as cheap as you want it to be to a certain extent.
While the public image is certainly focused around five-star resorts and luxurious surrounds, Port Douglas has backpacker accommodation, reasonably-priced meals at pubs, and tours to some popular Tropical North QLD destinations can actually work out cheaper than Cairns. The price of the average stay in Port Douglas is going to work out pricier if you aren't careful, as the upmarket atmosphere of the town tends to carry over into all aspects of the travel spectrum.
In terms of accommodation, Port Douglas' quality and by association, price shines through here, with some truly uniquely designed and luxurious venues on offer that justify its position as one of Australia's top honeymoon destinations. If you're willing to fork out the money you can expect a highly-equipped, wonderfully-furnished, impeccably clean and perfectly located experience at any of the above.
Port Douglas serves as the reef's unofficial gateway and is a better springboard to access other popular regional locales such as the Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation among others.
If you're basing yourself out of Port Douglas for a substantial period of time and looking to explore the surrounding areas other than the reef, car hire is an almost essential requirement, so be sure to factor this in as an additional cost.
Regardless of where you stay or what you're doing in Port Douglas, prepare to have some smaller additional costs tacked on to the average price. The Verdict: While both Cairns and Port Douglas can be fairly expensive places to holiday if you don't do your research, the level of competition and range of options in Cairns tends to self-regulate pricing a little bit more strictly than in Port Douglas.
Oh boy, where do we begin? There's a reason that Cairns has earned its reputation as one of Australia's adventure capitals, and the combination of its location, active atmosphere, variety and natural surrounds make seeing and doing everything it offers both an extremely fun and challenging process.
Simply put, you'll never be bored in Cairns, no matter how active or relaxed you want your holiday to be. We've highlighted some of the things to see and do in and around the city earlier in this guide in terms of nightlife and dining, but the key focus of most people visiting Cairns and Port Douglas as well, for that matter is likely to be the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns offers numerous options for exploring its many wonders as the majority of reef tour operators base their operations out of here.
Over a dozen tour boats leave Cairns each day to carry their guests out onto the reef, with each providing a different point of emphasis. Some cruises focus on snorkelling, some on scuba diving, some offer glass-bottom boat rides and others pay visits to the likes of Green Island and Fitzroy Island.
The list of reef tours from Cairns is extensive and ranges from short, half-day trips to the closer areas of the reef all the way up to multi-day adventures that dock at specialised activity pontoons at the Outer Reef. A popular itinerary is to take a trip out to Green Island from Cairns in the morning combined with a glass-bottom boat ride that will allow you to take in the variety of marine life without getting wet. This is a great idea if you aren't a confident swimmer or are travelling with children.
In Cairns, the man-made swimming lagoon at the Esplanade attempts to make up for the city's lack of beaches and is a great way to cool off during the often-humid days if your accommodation's facilities aren't up to scratch. The Botanic Gardens mentioned previously are also well worth a visit for something free to do, while the Esplanade itself is a hive of activity for a walk, shop, or simple dose of people-watching amongst scenic surrounds.
Looking outside the city, the list of options grows even wider. If wildlife is a point of interest or you've got kids with you , Cairns Tropical Zoo can be found just 20 minutes to the north of the city centre and is a great and reasonably-priced place to see the likes of koalas, wombats and crocodiles.
The wonders of Kuranda, the village in the rainforest, is home to a bunch of other ecological goodies, with its Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway immensely popular ways travel to the village. On your way to Kuranda, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Experience can be found at the bottom of the range where the Skyrail and Scenic Railway begin, and is well worth a visit if you're interested in indigenous culture.
Once at Kuranda, additional attraction options open up. Spreading your time out amongst these attractions, combined with the return train-and-Skyrail trip and time to explore the village itself can easily take up a full day if you're not rushing and provides a nice counterpart to the reef. For those in search of an adrenalin punch, Cairns caters better to your needs.
The region is home to Australia's only bungy tower and a favourite activity for thrill seekers from all over the globe. It can be found just a short distance from the city at Smithfield, stands 50m tall and offers great views of the reef and rainforest to those game enough to take the plunge. White water rafting is also a popular activity in the area, with the Barron River to the north and the Russell and Tully Rivers to the south of the city offering quality rafting experiences ranging from difficulty grades 1 through 4.
Reflective of the city itself, many of the things to do in and around Cairns are more upbeat as opposed to Port Douglas, so if you're looking for adventure then this is the clear choice between the two. While Port Douglas might not have the sheer breadth of things to do that Cairns can boast, there are few other destinations in Australia that can form the basis for an ideal reef adventure as well as Port Douglas can.
The smaller, classy tropical village vibe coupled with its close proximity to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest gives Port Douglas an advantage when it comes to the vision of a Tropical North QLD holiday.
While relaxing would likely be at the top of any things to do in Port Douglas list, it's the call of the reef and its wonders that draw most people here. The quality of the reef systems just off the shores of Port Douglas also tend to be higher than those of its southerly brother, although you'll find many of the cruises and tours, in fact, make their way from Cairns and stop to pick up more passengers from Port Douglas instead of launching from Port Douglas itself.
As the closest mainland point to the Great Barrier Reef hopping aboard with a local tour operator and departing from the town's Marina Mirage will typically mean you're out on the Outer Reef in as short a time as possible. This allows you to spend more time diving, snorkelling or participating in whatever other marine activities you've signed up for.
Water visibility on the reef areas off the coast of Port Douglas is almost always very good, making it an easy task to see the various vibrant coral formations and spectacular marine life. One of the most popular island destinations from Port Douglas is the Low Isles, a pair of pristine coral cays just a minute boat ride from Port Douglas which make for a great base for marine exploration.
The Isles are renowned for the quantity of colourful fish and turtles that populate their waters, and its short distance from the shoreline can make for a great mini-trip from Port Douglas without breaking the budget. The Outer Reef is typically the most acclaimed part of this natural wonder, as it offers a superior level of coral quality, diversity of animal life and sheer colour as opposed to those around the cays.
While it requires more significant time and money investments, the results are almost universally more worth it. Aside from the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas also serves as a great base from which to explore the Daintree Rainforest, a natural cavalcade of tropical flora and fauna.
The drive north to the Daintree is scenic yet winding, and so the extra hour that can be saved by departing from Port Douglas rather than Cairns can go a long way to cutting down on both stress and fatigue while allowing for more daylight hours left to explore its offerings. The Daintree and its ancient trees are home to numerous must-see sights including Mossman Gorge, which is a highlight, with its crystal-clear water and walking circuit into the heart of the rainforest an essential spot to adventure through.
The Gorge is reached either by parking at the Daintree Visitor's Centre and walking in or paying for the bus from the Visitor's Centre to the gorge itself a big time and energy saver. Cruises are also available that will take you down the Daintree River and allow you to see the plant and animal life without breaking a sweat. Further north lies Cape Tribulation which stands as another superb example of the wet tropic, World Heritage rainforest, although you'll either need to book a tour or hire a car to get there.
Taking just under 2 hours from Port Douglas, once you've reached the Daintree River, a car ferry is available to transport you to the other side. Bear in mind that if there has been heavy rain recently the river may be flooded and the ferry unable to carry you across.
Queensland Park alerts. Burke Shire Council Road Conditions. Cairns Regional Council Dashboard. Carpentaria Shire Council Road Report.
Cassowary Coast Regional Council Dashboard. Douglas Shire Council Dashboard. Etheridge Shire Council Road Conditions. Mareeba Shire Council Dashboard. Tablelands Regional Council Dashboard. The precinct also includes cafes, restaurants and bars, a huge skate park, beach volleyball courts and fitness equipment. The nearby Muddy's Playground has wet and dry play equipment, a flying fox, rope bridge, slides, playhouses, puzzle games and barbecue areas.
By submitting your email you are agreeing to Fairfax Media's terms and conditions and privacy policy. Take the railway to the hill-top village of Kuranda and the Skyrail down to enjoy two distinct experiences of the heritage-listed rainforest. The railway is an engineering miracle and winds through rugged mountains, tunnels and across skinny bridges in lovely timber carriages.
Jump on and off at the two mid-stations along the way for a closer look, to breathe in the rainforest and to check out the breathtaking views of Barron Gorge. The village in the rainforest attracts and inspires artists and artisans, and the local galleries and markets are surprising and unique.
Wander through the town and surrounding trails, flitter through the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, meet feathered friends at Birdworld and get a cuddle at Koala Gardens. Plus crocs and other reptiles, a life-size allosaurus, gemstones and fossils. About five sun-soaked beaches up the coast from Cairns is the mainly residential Kewarra beach, home to the Beach Shack.
Part of the Kewarra Beach Resort, the Bali-esque shack is a local favourite. Set on the sand among waving palms, it is the perfect place for morning coffee, an ice-cream or a lazy afternoon tipple.
Friday night is pizza night. The best way to get there is by a long, thirst-building walk along the powdery sand.
If you can't relax here, see your healthcare professional. Located above the mid-city Reef Hotel Casino, this is a sure bet. Under a metre-high glass dome, rope courses of varying difficulty and height challenge visitors and "ties" the experience to interactions with indigenous birds, wallabies, kookaburras, frogs, turtles, pythons, crocodiles and lizards. There's also an outer dome climb, a metre free-fall PowerJump and four flying fox ziplines, including one that glides over Goliath, the four-metre resident croc.
Wander the Gondwanan Heritage Garden and follow the million-year evolution of the distinctive Australian wet tropics flora, just one of the 13 exhibits in the hectare gardens that also showcases orchids, ferns, mangroves and Aboriginal plant use.
Nature merges with culture at the historic Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns' premier contemporary arts venue. Named for the three large World War II fuel tanks that comprise the centre, Tanks is a funky venue for art shows, music recitals and theatre. Far north Queensland is a rich font of past and present Aboriginal culture and Tjapukai does heritage with style.
Located at the foot of the Skyrail at Caravonica Lakes, Tjapukai celebrates the indigenous people of the rainforest by day and by night. Play a didgeridoo, learn about bush tucker and enjoy traditional dance and storytelling. At night you'll see the Quinkan spirit performance and fire-making and join a corroboree. Dinner and drinks at the Boomerang Restaurant and art and artefacts at the gallery and gift shop. Nibble on mango and other fresh produce picked from local farms that morning or pick up some locally grown coffee.
Rusty's Markets in the city centre runs from Friday to Sunday, with more than stalls offering luscious tropical fruit, vegetables, flowers, bric-a-brac, deli goods and food stalls. Jonsson's Farm Market in Stratford presents similar fare every day. The Esplanade Markets operate on Saturdays with a more arty-crafty focus, including Aussie perfume, bottle clocks, homemade soaps, natural seed jewellery, sarongs and locally made skincare products.
Cairns has some of the world's best seafood and a cornucopia of exotic tropical ingredients.
0コメント