Best Free Things to Do in Cairns
THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in Cairns
Best Free Things to Do in Cairns
Category types
Types of Attractions
Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
Traveller rating
Good for
38 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Showing results 1-30 of 38
What travellers are saying
- Emma H9 contributionsWe loved the lagoon! The temperature of the water is perfect and there are lots of shade sails, sandy edges and platforms too if you don’t like the sand.
Lifeguards on duty at all times and open till 9pm.
We spent a few hours here and the cafe was reasonably priced too.
Lockers available, we paid $4 for 4 hours for a small one. You need gold coins only and they don’t take card.Written 10 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Andy keenBirmingham, UK1,703 contributionsMega wetland Cairns.
We did the long a lovely boardwalk in horrid heavy rain BUT
it was lovely.
Took a ride on the big wheel and took in the views.
BrillWritten 10 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Paula-Rosa LCairns, Australia293 contributionsAbsolutely stunning botanical rainforest gardens. Takes 1 - 2 hours to look at everything. Bring insect repellent!!!Written 7 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Claire n Andrew ADarwin, Australia266 contributionsWe visited here on our trip to Cairns. It is easy to find, with plenty of signs and sealed roads.
It is a bit of a walk to get to the falls - 700metres. Quite steep on the way up, obviously better on the way back as its more downhill. So be prepared if your fitness is not so great. The pathway is smooth, but steep and long.
The walk to the falls is beautiful, through the rainforest, totally surrounded by it.
Steep-ish metal steps down to the main bottom rock hole and falls with the natural rock slide.
Navigating into the water is something you need to be careful with - not a lot of flat, good standing ground. Lots of round slippery rocks. Crawl over them if you have to!
Just be aware and pick the best way in for you.
This time of the year, the water was very fresh and cold, but was lovely once you're in it. Strong current coming from the waterfall, a bit better when youre out in the middles, crossing over to climb up to the rock slide.
If you are a weak swimmer, be extra careful as the current is quite fast and if your balance and mobility isn't so great maybe give the swimming a miss here.
Again, can be a bit challenging get out of the water to climb onto this to get to the rock slide, so be careful and do within your limitations.
Easy to go down the rock slide, a bit of a bump at the end, but well worth it.
It was fairly busy when we were there, however you aren't on top of people and there is still plenty of room for everyone.
You can just soak in the water if you don't want to do the slide.
Well worth a visit. Even if you just want to look and not go in the water.Written 19 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Whole FoodersAustralia55 contributionsIf you're in Cairns, you can't miss Rusty's Market! This bustling spot is packed with fresh produce from local farmers and artisans. You'll love the colourful and multicultural vibe, with tropical fruits, flowers, and a fantastic variety of eateries from different cultures.
Quick tip: bring cash, as some stalls don't take cards, and don't forget your reusable bags. Rusty's Market is a true highlight and one of the best markets in Australia. Open Fri, Sat & Sun … Enjoy!Written 9 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Winter74Australia27 contributions10/10 place for kids! Bring bathers and change of clothes kids loved it. Water was cold but on a sunny day that wouldn’t be a problem and it didn’t stop our kids from getting wet anyway.Written 12 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- CarloHelmondHelmond, The Netherlands725 contributionsWe stayed in Millaa Millaa and had an early start to the day. Driving the waterfall circuit makes for a nice drive and includes 3 water falls (Millaa Millaa falls, Zillie falls and Ellinjaa falls). All are within easy walking distance and provide you with some great views. Early in the morning you have to place to yourself and it is very serene. There are many activities in the area, but have a look first if they are open. We called on some place that were closed during the winter season or had limited opening hours. The area is well worth your visit, unless you are just here for the highlights.Written 23 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Bronte S103 contributionsThis is my second visit to Nudey Beach and I still can’t get over how beautiful this beach is. It’s like paradise. The hike is a bit difficult; you must wear good walking shoes otherwise you may slip on the rocks. But the views once you are there are worth it. My favourite view is the one from the track where you are looking through trees to the beach below; the trees framing the view are shaped like a heart- it truly is paradise. The beach is clean and a great place to snorkel, swim or just admire the views.Written 23 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- EvaSandbach, UK11 contributionsMany asia food available, different kind of noodles are tasty, as a fussy picky asian, I comment the quality is really good, just its at the food court, so self served and a bit crowded at dinner that’s expected. There is a Cairns Festival during our visit, enjoy the fireworks, parade, and light show in different night before we head for dinner after play at the Esplanade Lagoon.Written 29 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- aaronlaifoo19Cairns, Australia1 contributionI really liked the general atmosphere of the place. It's been 15 years since I last visited after moving, but even though a lot has changed since then, I find myself smiling at the memories!Written 20 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- FionaMary764Ireland84 contributionsNice swimming spots, and the waterfall is pretty. However, it's a long uphill walk with few views, and there are loads of big black biting flies. Also saw snakes crossing the path, so it's probably good to be noisyWritten 8 November 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Saminda EGrafton, Australia157 contributionsI write this review with a divided opinion.
I love the idea of the rock stacks and the unique experience to see so many rock stacks in the one area thinking of the joy that each person has had to do this with their loved ones, adding to the many stacks already there.
But on the same hand, I understand this isn't natural and can be disrupting to the ecosystem and animals that inhabit the area.
When we visited it was about 9:00 in the morning and there were rock stacks everywhere. It wasn't easy to find a rock on that beach that wasn't already in a stack. Yes we made our own stack and we respected everyone else's stack already set-up.
When we drove past that afternoon on our way back from our day trip, every single rock stack was knocked over which really upset our kids, they couldn't believe that people would destroy things people enjoyed creating but when we explained why they understood.
Building a rock stack isn't really any different to building a sand castle, but it's the extent of it. This part of the coast is lined with beach similar to this and the rock stacks are a tiny area overall but if it's affecting the ecosystem it shouldn't be done.
The access to the beach that the rock stacks is on (The Gatz Balancing Rocks) has limited parking and depends on how other vehicles are parked as to what room is there.
Everyone will have their own opinions on this, just about everywhere you travel now you'll see a rock stack and one or two are fine, it's when the whole landscape becomes one that it's an issue for the environment.
I won't be surprised that eventually there will be a sign in place restricting people from doing this. I'm just appreciative of the fact that we got to see it in it's full glory.Written 15 October 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - E PWarragul131 contributionsWe didn’t stay at casino but decided to go here for late breakfast. Small menu not a large selection of items available. Small serves as well , a little expensive for what you are getting as well!Written 21 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Elspeth H48 contributionsI confess to loving stained glass windows, so this review is biased. But wow! It is worth seeing the Cathedral windows with a guide because there are all sorts of interesting bits of history associated with the creation of the windows and wonderful details that might be missed without a guide's direction.Written 19 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jen H16 contributionsLovely experience at the distillery - friendly, knowledgeable service. Enjoyed a lovely tasting paddle and cheese platter and came away with a couple of gins to enjoy.
Appreciated being able to bring our dogs in to the cellar door on leash.
The only downside was seeing animals kept in pens devoid of any stimulation or comfort behind the Distillary - apparently for the amusement of children staying at the campground. We are van travellers and would not stay for this reason- a lone goose on one barren pen was desperately keen to be on the outside with those free roaming. Children’s pleasure is not a reason for animals to lead sad, deprived lives.
The free roaming peacocks and peahens were lovely to watch walking alongside the agave plantation.Written 10 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
