Best of Cairns
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.
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1
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon (Free)
A 4,800 sq m free saltwater swimming lagoon on the Esplanade, open daily, with free BBQs, shaded seating and a children's water-play area alongside.
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Cairns Regional Gallery (Free)
A free public gallery in the heart of the CBD showcasing Queensland and North Australian artists, with rotating contemporary and Indigenous art exhibitions.
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Muddy's Playground and Fogarty Park
A free foreshore park adjacent to the Esplanade lagoon, with a large children's playground, BBQ areas and a popular morning outdoor gym.
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Cattana Wetlands Walk
A free wetlands boardwalk 10 minutes north of the CBD in Smithfield, with 60+ species of waterbird, including brolgas and radjah shelducks.
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Night Markets (Browsing Only)
The Cairns Night Market on the Esplanade is free to enter and browse, with 40+ food stalls, a massage arcade and souvenir shops open every evening.
More Best of Cairns
- Cairns Esplanade: The Lagoon, Boardwalk and Waterfront
- Daintree Rainforest from Cairns: Day Trips and What to See
- Kuranda from Cairns: Skyrail, Scenic Railway and the Rainforest Village
- Best Restaurants in Cairns: Where to Eat in Tropical North Queensland
- Renting in Cairns: Suburbs, Costs and the Far North Market
- Atherton Tablelands from Cairns: Waterfalls, Lakes and Farms