Free Things to Do in Cairns: Beach, Rainforest and Wildlife

Cairns has a solid range of free activities for visitors and locals. The Esplanade Lagoon is free to swim in and is the main public swimming spot in the city. Cairns Botanic Gardens in Edge Hill are free to enter and include a boardwalk through a section of lowland rainforest. The Centenary Lakes adjacent to the botanic gardens are a good spot for birdwatching, with species including the Australian Darter, sunbirds and blue-faced honeyeaters. Davies Creek and the surrounding national park roads are free to drive for views over the tablelands. The Rex Smeal Park and the Marlin Marina foreshore are good spots to watch charter boats depart in the early morning. Clifton Beach and Palm Cove north of the city have reef-safe swimming without a lagoon entry fee.