6 Easy Ways to Switch Off in Cairns

As far as tropical getaways go, Cairns hits the sweet spot: a laid-back pace, affable locals and a warm climate, all within easy reach of the ancient Daintree rainforest and Great Barrier Reef. In addition to epic outdoor adventure, the city – perched on the east coast of Far North Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula – is home to a thriving arts scene, alfresco dining spots and craft distilleries. And with the airport a cruisy 10-minute drive from town, you can slip into holiday mode almost as soon as you’ve arrived. Here are six ways to ease into the rhythm.

Stay, play and pedal

Laying on the doorstep of Cairns’ iconic three-kilometre Esplanade Boardwalk, Crystalbrook Riley is an easy stroll from the city’s shopping, dining and entertainment hub and just an eight-minute drive to local highlights including the Tanks arts centre – a concert venue, gallery and creative space – Cairns Aquarium and Cairns Koalas & Creatures. Set up alongside the resort’s 1000-square-metre swimming lagoon and watch the kids play on the man-made beach with a Rum For Your Life cocktail – featuring Far North Queensland rum from Mt Uncle Distillery – from the adjacent Calypso Club. Borrow one of the property’s complimentary eco bikes to explore downtown or pedal between the nearby Crystalbrook Collection properties. Guests are welcome to unwind at art-filled Crystalbrook Bailey or zip over to Crystalbrook Flynn to swim laps in the glass pool and lunch on fish and chips or pizza at Boardwalk Social. Back at Riley, settle into the on-site Asian fusion Paper Crane for a dinner of prawn dumplings and bao with tender, locally sourced beef brisket.

Explore an underwater world

Cairns is the ideal launchpad for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and with June temperatures averaging a balmy 27 degrees Celsius, there’s never a bad time to jump in. Reef Magic’s full-day outer reef tour leads you to some of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site’s most spectacular snorkelling spots and includes a guided glass-bottom boat ride and generous buffet lunch. The journey begins with a 90-minute cruise departing at 9am from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to the new Reef Magic pontoon, where visitors can snorkel in the sheltered lagoon, join a marine biologist on a guided safari and try their hands at scuba diving and Sea Trek helmet diving, which will have you walking along the ocean floor. Closer to shore, Fitzroy Island is just 45 minutes from Cairns by fast ferry and offers a more hands-on reef experience with conservation in mind, including nurturing fledgling coral gardens and visiting a turtle rehabilitation centre once per week for those who book in advance. Snorkellers should be on the lookout for majestic green turtles who sometimes glide up close and pause for a beat before disappearing with the flick of a fin.

Start with a massage, finish with mud crab

Serenity comes easy at Eléme Day Spa – tucked inside both Crystalbrook Riley and Crystalbrook Flynn – where every treatment is tailored to your skin, body and mood. The head-to-toe Muscle Ease works out knots with slow, targeted strokes and facial treatments combine circular massage techniques with replenishing products from Australian natural skincare line, Sodashi. Post-treatment, float over to Whiskey & Wine to graze on a charcuterie plate of smoked ham, prosciutto and salami with pickled vegetables and chargrilled sourdough as you sip through an impressive selection of whiskies and wines from around the world.

Follow the tropical flavour trail from rooftop to rainforest

If your idea of peak relaxation is a long lunch that gently rolls into dinner, Cairns delivers everything from fresh-off-the-boat seafood to local sustainably farmed beef and ripe tropical fruit.

Pachamama, which crowns Crystalbrook Bailey, is one of the city’s most atmospheric rooftop bars. Stake a claim on an emerald-green sunbed and treat your tastebuds to barramundi tacos with cabbage slaw and crisp pork belly, brightened with smoky chargrilled pineapple. Add a Hibiscus Mezcalita (mezcal, triple sec, hibiscus, cucumber and rose) and you’ve conjured up the ideal leisurely afternoon. If a great view is an essential accompaniment to your meal, Crystalbrook Riley’s Rocco holds the title of Cairns’ highest rooftop bar and restaurant, offering a contemporary take on Middle Eastern, such as Pomegranate-glazed chicken skewers with smoked almond sauce. 

For a day trip that satisfies both adventurous spirit and stomach, head north to Port Douglas, about an hour and 15 minutes drive from Cairns. You’ll find Melaleuca, a sleek diner where bold Asian flavours meet just-caught seafood. The standout dish? A rich, spicy Panang curry packed with Moreton Bay bugs. Detour home via Devils Thumb Distillery in nearby Craiglie – just eight minutes down the road from Port Douglas CBD – where small-batch rum is crafted from local sugar cane and served with a side of Daintree rainforest views.

Swim in rainforest pools and kayak with turtles

The Great Barrier Reef may be the region’s headliner, but Palm Cove – just a 30-minute drive north of Cairns – offers low-key water-based action that’s just as magical. Join a guided kayak tour with Palm Cove Watersports and paddle alongside turtles or wade through sun-warmed tidal rockpools in search of elusive octopi and crabs hidden in the crevices. 

Deep in the rainforest, a 25-minute drive inland from town, Crystal Cascades is a freshwater swimming hole fed by a series of small waterfalls, and where you can take a refreshing dip. The 1.5-kilometre walking trail from here to Wongalee Falls is shaded by a lush green canopy and along the way you’ll breathe in the cool, earth-scented air while listening to the sounds of the forest: kookaburras laughing, the rustle of a goanna weaving through the undergrowth and the silvery tumble of water on ancient rock.

Sip, stroll and soak up culture

Cultural experiences are everywhere in Cairns – just step inside Crystalbrook Bailey where art is its raison d’être. Rotating exhibitions of local and national artists fill the hotel’s light-filled spaces. A five-minute stroll away, the Cairns Art Gallery collection has a strong focus on First Nations artists from the region and beyond. Time your return walk to coincide with Cairns Night Markets. Opening at 4.30pm, 365 days a year, this local fixture is a bustling indoor marketplace crammed with stalls selling clothing, souvenirs, artisan crafts and handmade skincare.