5 COOL Things to do in Cairns this Christmas Day

Posted October 28, 2019

In Family Fun, Flora & Fauna, Out & About In Cairns, Travel Tips

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5 COOL Things to do in Cairns this Christmas Day

Well it’s officially that time of year again. The holiday season is fast approaching and with it comes that important decision; what to do on Christmas Day. Cairns is one of the top tourist destinations in Australia and with good reason; surrounded by tropical rain forest and with the Great Barrier Reef at our doorstep, there are an abundance of activities to choose from. If you’re lucky enough to be spending Christmas Day with us but are unsure about what to do, then read below for 5 fun activities that are guaranteed to keep you both entertained AND cool on Christmas Day.

1. Explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef

Why not spend Christmas Day with Nemo and Dory! Visiting this natural wonder of the world is definitely something to check off your bucket-list. Tours fill up fast though, especially around the holiday season. Only a small number of operators travel on Christmas Day so we recommend booking as soon as possible. Please note that public holiday surcharges might apply. Here are two tours that operate out of Cairns on Christmas Day:

Reef Experience Great Barrier Reef Tour

Visit two spectacular reef locations where you can snorkel right off the boat. Price includes a free scuba dive for the more adventurous. A breakfast of BBQ bacon & egg rolls is also included as well as a buffet lunch and drinks and nibbles to enjoy on the ride back to Cairns. For more information or to book a tour, CLICK HERE.

Passions of Paradise

Hop aboard Passions III, one of the fastest and largest sailing catamarans in Australia and you will have access to pristine outer reef locations, all within a day. Snorkel at two unique reef locations or for an added cost try a scuba dive. A tropical hot and cold buffet lunch is included as well as morning and afternoon tea and all the equipment you need to snorkel the day away. For more information or to book a tour, CLICK HERE.

2. Relax and unwind on a tropical island

If snorkelling in crystal clear waters off the white sandy beach of an exotic a tropical island is more your thing, you definitely need to consider a full or half day trip to either Green Island or Fitzroy Island, less than a one hour boat ride from Cairns. Following are two companies that operate on Christmas Day:

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises

Boasting unique island rainforests, white sandy beaches and magnificent coral reefs abundant with marine life, Green Island is truly a tropical paradise! Snorkel right off the beach or try your hand at Snuba diving, a shallow water diving system that allows you to explore underwater up to 3 metres without the hassle of heavy diving equipment. If you’d rather stay on land, explore Green Island’s flora and fauna on the self guided rainforest walks or visit Cassius, the world’s largest crocodile, at Marineland Melanesia a walk-through nautical museum featuring live crocodiles and tropical marine aquariums. Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises have full day and half day tours available so whether you want to spend the whole day at the island or just a few hours, Big Cat can accommodate. For more information or to book one of their packages, CLICK HERE.

Raging Thunder Adventures Fitzroy Island

Only a 45 minute boat ride from Cairns is the beautiful Fitzroy Island. Surrounded by a reef system that forms part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Fitzroy Island is the perfect place for snorkelling, diving and exploring the reef. There is also plenty to do on land too. Become one with nature as you traverse the bushwalking tracks throughout the island with views all the way to the Great Barrier Reef. Visit Nudey Beach, one of Far North Queensland’s most iconic beaches. (Don’t worry, you don’t actually have to be nudey!) Snorkel gear, kayaks and stand up paddle boards are available to hire from Raging Thunder’s beach hut once you reach the island so you’ll have all kinds of ways to explore. Full and half day tours are available as well as a hot or cold packed picnic lunch for an additional cost. For more information or to book a tour, CLICK HERE.

3. Swim with sharks at the Cairns Aquarium

Well you don’t actually have to swim with sharks, but if you want to see marine life without going all the way out to the reef, why not pay a visit to the Cairns Aquarium? Boasting 16,000 animals from 10 different ecosystems and 71 habitats across Tropical North Queensland, Cairns Aquarium is a great way to get up close and personal with a whole array of sea life and other animals native to the tropics. Stingrays, sawfish, crocs and jellyfish are just some of the many animals on display. The best part is the aquarium is fully air conditioned, so you can enjoy the wonders of the tropics without even breaking a sweat! For more info, CLICK HERE.

4. Get your adrenalin fix White Water Rafting on the Tully River

For those looking to do something a little more adventurous for Christmas, why not spend the day white water rafting down the Tully River? Regarded as the best rafting river across Australia and New Zealand, the Tully River is a must see with grade 3-4 rapids and stunning views of world heritage-listed rain forests of the Tully Gorge National Park. Raging Thunder Adventures offers a Full DayWhite Water Rafting tour, perfect for anyone interested in taking on the rapids of Tully River. Included in the tour is all the equipment you need to go rafting as well as a delicious BBQ lunch right on the riverbank. For more info CLICK HERE:

5. Indulge in a Spirit of Cairns Christmas Lunch Cruise

While the activities above are fun, sometimes it’s nice to do something a little more lavish on Christmas Day. Enter Spirit of Cairns, a luxury 26m sailing catamaran. Providing dinner cruises 7 nights a week, this year Spirit of Cairns will host a 3 hour Christmas lunch cruise. Enjoy a delicious hot and cold buffet lunch as you cruise deep into the heart of Trinity inlet. Look out the large panoramic windows of the ship’s air-conditioned interior or enjoy the fresh sea breezes on the expansive outdoor decks. With breathtaking sights and views overlooking the beautiful Cairns Esplanade, this is definitely the ultimate waterside dining experience. For more info, check out their website CLICK HERE:

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