Cairns

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Cairns is the popular starting point for many Oz Experience passes and also the finishing point for those heading north.

Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef one of the seven natural wonders of the world; and Cape Tribulation, the world’s oldest living rainforest.

Oz Experience recommends:

Visiting the legendary Woolshed Bar
Doing at least a day tour and even better a multi night package to Cape Tribulation
Visit the Great Barrier Reef from Cape Tribulation - better clarity of water and small groups.
Staying at Calypso Backpackers, Serpent Hostel, Caravellas 149, or Bohemia Resort while you are in Cairns.

Related Passes:

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Cairns' Photos (Randomly taken from Flickr)

Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland Australia. It's also the hotspot for wildlife diversity in Australia and is an ideal place to see a huge variety of birds, mammals and reptiles. Places such as Mount Lewis, Lamb Range or Mount Hypipamee are ideal locations to see anything from a Cassowary through to Tree Kangaroos.

[Edit] Destination Info

Cairns is the most northern city on the east coast of Australia and the last stop for north-bound buses, trains, and airlines. It's a small, low-rise city with a tropical climate that is very focused on tourism.

[Edit] Stuff you need to know

How to get around The center of Cairns is small enough to cover on foot. Frequent Sunbus buses depart from the market square to the suburbs and Northern Beaches. You can buy a bus ticket which goes for 24 hrs. The bus driver stamps the time of purchase and it valid for the next 24 hours.

There's lots to do and see from Cairns - to the north is the rainforest of Cape Tribulation and Daintree National Park, to the east is the Great Barrier Reef, west takes you to the outback and south-west is the Wooroonooran National Park and the Atherton Tablelands.
Cairns has International and Domestic airports, a huge variety of budget accommodation and plenty of bars and cheap restaurants for backpackers.
The atmosphere is chilled out with a real party vibe and there are t-shirt shops, clubs and places to go out everwhere.
Travellers looking for a quieter time might prefer the more sedate and upscale Port Douglas, 30 miles to the north.