★ 5.0 · from AUD $295
Cairns ( KAIRNZ; Yidiny: Gimuy) is a city in the Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia, on the tropical northeast coast of Far North Queensland. In the 2021 census, Cairns had a population of 169,312.
The city was founded in 1876 and named after Sir William Wellington Cairns, following the discovery of gold in the Hodgkinson River. During World War II, the city became a staging ground for the Allied Forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea. By the late 20th century the city had become a centre of international tourism. In the early 21st century, it has developed into a major regional city.
The economy of Cairns is based primarily on tourism, healthcare and education, along with a major capacity in aviation, marine and defence industries.
As of 2024, the city had a gross regional product of about $12.2 billion. The city is served by Cairns International Airport, the seventh-busiest airport in Australia. Cairns also has a major cruise ship industry servicing both domestic and international markets, with terminals at Cairns Seaport and Cairns Wharf Complex.
Cairns is a major tourist destination, with access to two UNESCO world heritage sites: the Daintree Rainforest as part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland, and the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Background information about Cairns adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Next 7 days at Cairns
Live forecast from Open-Meteo. Updated each time the page loads.
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Best time to visit Cairns
Based on 30 years of weather data. Sweet spot: Jun, Jul, Aug — mild temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sun. Avoid Jan, Feb if you can — typically the wettest or hottest stretch of the year.
Jan
29°
25° low
242mm
Feb
29°
25° low
263mm
Mar
28°
24° low
217mm
Apr
27°
23° low
103mm
May
25°
21° low
48mm
Jun
24°
20° low
30mm
Jul
23°
19° low
30mm
Aug
24°
19° low
25mm
Sep
26°
20° low
17mm
Oct
27°
22° low
36mm
Nov
28°
23° low
61mm
Dec
29°
24° low
149mm
Daytime high (large) · overnight low (small) · monthly rainfall (blue bar). Climate normals: 1991–2020 from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis.
Beach & ocean conditions at Cairns
Typical wave height around 0.9 m over the next two weeks. a wetsuit makes winter swims much more pleasant.
Avg wave height
0.9 m
Sea-surface temperatures from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Wave forecast from the GFS Wave model — check official sources before swimming, paddling or boating.
What else is around Cairns
Points of interest within 25 km, pulled from OpenStreetMap. Distances are straight-line; check road access before heading out.
🎡 Attractions (9)
- 0.4 km
- 0.5 km
- 0.6 km
- 11.8 km
- 12.7 km
- 17.3 km
🏖️ Beaches (3)
- 16.1 km
- 20.4 km
- 22.5 km
🔭 Lookouts & viewpoints (81)
- 0.9 km
- 11.4 km
- 11.8 km
- 11.9 km
- 11.9 km
- 12.4 km
⛰️ Peaks & summits (32)
- 10.4 km
- 11.3 km
- 11.4 km
- 12.1 km
- 13.0 km
- 13.6 km
🌳 Nature reserves & national parks (3)
- 20.1 km
- 20.7 km
- 9.3 km
🏰 Historic sites (24)
- 0.1 km
- 0.1 km
- 0.2 km
- 0.2 km
- 0.3 km
- 0.3 km
🏛️ Museums & galleries (3)
- 0.3 km
- 0.5 km
- 18.7 km
🎭 Theatres, cinemas & markets (5)
- 1.0 km
- 12.9 km
- 18.3 km
- 18.7 km
- 19.0 km
🕳️ Caves (2)
- 6.4 km
- 6.5 km
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Drive times to and from Cairns
Real road distance and driving time to other destinations in the state. Click through for fuel estimates, suggested overnight stops, and tours along the way.
Frequently asked about Cairns
- Where is Cairns?
- Cairns is in Far North Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
- When is the best time to visit Cairns?
- Based on 30 years of weather data, the most pleasant months at Cairns are typically July, August, June — mild temperatures and lower rainfall. School holiday periods can also fit if you don't mind the crowds.
- What's the weather like in Cairns?
- Summer daytime highs average around 29°C and winter overnight lows can drop to about 19°C. See the climate panel above for the month-by-month breakdown.
