Cairns and Barrier Reef

Travel Guide

Babinda boulders in the Atherton Tablelands, Cairns, Australia. Legend has it that the spirit of an Aboriginal woman resides in the Boulders waiting for the return of her love. Our tour guide told us the tragic love story of Oolana and Dyga. Oolana is a beautiful young lady destined to marry an Elder from her tribe. After the pair was married, another tribe wanders into their community and Oolana fell in love with a young, handsome man from the visiting tribe. As their forbidden love blossoms, they run away. But their respective tribes found the couple in the Babinda Boulder and soon, Dyga was captured and taken away from Oolana. Oolana, knowing that she cannot be with the person she loved, throws herself to the deep waterhole of the boulders. Today, it seems like Oolana is still looking for her true love as there are stories of mysterious deaths of young men swimming in the creek. Our tourist guide told us that Oolana lures these young men into the waterhole where her spirit resides, and realising that the man was not the true love that she was looking for, she brings his body back to the rocks. Of all the deaths that occurred in the creek, all but one was a male victim. The mysteries of Babinda Boulders are still being told and a warning sign is erected outside the creek, warning of the dangers of the Boulders. Fortunately, there's a shallow waterhole near the Boulders which still has pristine and cool water. This waterhole is safe to swim in. #gopro #goprophotography
Babinda boulders in the Atherton Tablelands, Cairns, Australia. Legend has it that the spirit of an Aboriginal woman resides in the Boulders waiting for the return of her love. Our tour guide told us the tragic love story of Oolana and Dyga. Oolana is a beautiful young lady destined to marry an Elder from her tribe. After the pair was married, another tribe wanders into their community and Oolana fell in love with a young, handsome man from the visiting tribe. As their forbidden love blossoms, they run away. But their respective tribes found the couple in the Babinda Boulder and soon, Dyga was captured and taken away from Oolana. Oolana, knowing that she cannot be with the person she loved, throws herself to the deep waterhole of the boulders. Today, it seems like Oolana is still looking for her true love as there are stories of mysterious deaths of young men swimming in the creek. Our tourist guide told us that Oolana lures these young men into the waterhole where her spirit resides, and realising that the man was not the true love that she was looking for, she brings his body back to the rocks. Of all the deaths that occurred in the creek, all but one was a male victim. The mysteries of Babinda Boulders are still being told and a warning sign is erected outside the creek, warning of the dangers of the Boulders. Fortunately, there's a shallow waterhole near the Boulders which still has pristine and cool water. This waterhole is safe to swim in. #gopro #goprophotography
One of the best ways to experience a place is from the skies. If you feel like splurging, a helicopter flight over Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef is a must-do when visiting Tropical North Queensland in Australia.
This is a popular swimming spot - and for good reason. Try to visit on weekdays and out of school hours for your best chance to beat the crowds. but even with them it's still a pretty awesome sight! #waterlust www.cheskiesgaplife.com
Stoney Creek Falls is one of the smaller more local swim spots and waterfalls near Cairns. Perfect place to chill out and cool down.

Where to stay in Cairns and Barrier Reef

Palm Cove showing a beach, a garden and tropical scenes

Palm Cove

Palm Cove is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Palm Cove Beach and Vie Spa Palm Cove.

Palm Cove
Trinity Beach showing landscape views, tropical scenes and a beach

Trinity Beach

Travelers to Trinity Beach praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach.

Trinity Beach
Yorkeys Knob showing tranquil scenes and mountains

Yorkeys Knob

Yorkeys Knob is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Yorkeys Knob Beach and Half Moon Bay Golf Course.

Yorkeys Knob
Clifton Beach featuring mountains, a luxury hotel or resort and golf

Clifton Beach

Travelers come to Clifton Beach for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like Clifton Beach and Palm Cove Beach while you're in town.

Clifton Beach
Default Image

Manunda

Shopping, gardens, and spas are some highlights of Manunda. You might stop by Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland or Cairns Performing Arts Centre while you're in the area.

Manunda
Rainbow at Holloways beach, Cairns, Australia

Holloways Beach

Beaches, restaurants, and gardens are some highlights of Holloways Beach. Make a stop by Yorkeys Knob Beach or Holloways Beach while you're exploring.

Holloways Beach
Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns

5 out of 5
34 Esplanade Cairns QLD
The price is NT$3,851 per night from Mar 2 to Mar 3
NT$3,851
NT$4,236 total
Mar 2 - Mar 3
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
The best breakfast ever

Reviewed on 2026/2/25

Hilton Cairns
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

4.5 out of 5
121-123 The Esplanade & Florence St Cairns QLD
The price is NT$3,445 per night from Mar 18 to Mar 19
NT$3,445
NT$3,790 total
Mar 18 - Mar 19
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
Clean hotel, great free breakfast and beautiful atrium

Reviewed on 2026/2/23

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

5 out of 5
Pierpoint Road Cairns QLD
The price is NT$4,302 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$4,302
NT$4,732 total
Mar 31 - Apr 1
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
The staff were exceptional and the hotel was clean with lots of facilities. However the rooms are jaded versus other 5 star hotels, hence the 4 rating.

Reviewed on 2026/2/28

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
See all 1,314 properties in Cairns and Barrier Reef
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Southern Cross Atrium Apartments

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments

4 out of 5
3-11 Water Street Cairns QLD
Stay at this aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,623 reviews)
Clean and spacious room. Property is close to lots of bars and restaurants.

Reviewed on 2026/2/28

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments
Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort

Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort

3.5 out of 5
23-51 Anderson Road Woree QLD
Book a stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (765 reviews)
The best place and clean

Reviewed on 2026/2/20

Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort
Drift Palm Cove

Drift Palm Cove

4 out of 5
Cnr Veivers Rd Williams Esp Palm Cove QLD
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (868 reviews)
The apartment was great (location, etc.) but the furniture was all pretty beat up and really needed replaced. There was also construction going on around the pool the entire stay, which was rather inconvenient. Staff were helpful but sparse.

Reviewed on 2026/2/7

Drift Palm Cove
See all properties in Cairns and Barrier Reef
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cairns Esplanade which includes a pool, swimming and a luxury hotel or resort

Cairns Esplanade

4.5/5(253 reviews)

Stroll along the boardwalk surrounded by palms tree and landscaped gardens and watch the sun set over the Coral Sea.

Cairns Esplanade
Palm Cove Beach featuring a beach, tropical scenes and general coastal views

Palm Cove Beach

4.5/5(142 reviews)

Located in between the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, this palm tree-lined beach is an idyllic spot to take it easy or begin an adventure.

Palm Cove Beach
One of best things to do in Cairns is ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway. It's a 90 minute journey that takes you down the mountain to Cairns passing waterfalls, scenic lookouts and over old bridges. Catch the Skyrail up the mountain from Cairns and then catch the train back down. Or, vice versa.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre

4/5(172 reviews)

During your visit to Tropical North Waterfront, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Discover the beautiful coral reefs in this walkable area, or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre
Cairns Marlin Marina which includes sailing, mountains and a marina

Cairns Marlin Marina

4.5/5(109 reviews)

Enjoy views of the harbour and and unwind with al-fresco dining, entertainment and shopping beside the bay.

Cairns Marlin Marina
Esplanade Lagoon featuring a coastal town and a hotel

Esplanade Lagoon

4.5/5(104 reviews)

Relax after a day of sightseeing or cool down from the summer heat in this fresh-water lagoon, one of Cairns’ best city attractions.

Esplanade Lagoon
Cairns Convention Centre, Queensland: Aerial Photo of Iconic Architecture, Urban Landscape, Waterfront, and City Infrastructure in Tropical North Queensland, Australia

Cairns Convention Centre

4.5/5(21 reviews)

Learn about the events happening at Cairns Convention Centre during your trip to Tropical North Waterfront. Discover the beautiful coral reefs in this walkable area, or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Convention Centre

Cities near Cairns and Barrier Reef

Cairns and Northern Beaches which includes signage

Kuranda

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway which includes rainforest and landscape views

Cairns

Explore a world of travel with Expedia