Shuttle buses run every 15 minutes from the Mossman Gorge Centre, about 80km north of Cairns, into the gorge (fees apply). The Baral Marrjanga boardwalk is a 660m return stroll to a river lookout and suits prams, while the 3.4km rainforest circuit takes about two hours. Queensland Parks warns against entering the river here, so enjoy the water from the bank.

Entry includes a 20-minute lagoon boat cruise, plus daily croc feeding, snake shows, cassowary feeding and a koala talk. Most visitors spend about four hours here, between Cairns (40 minutes) and Port Douglas (25 minutes). A family ticket for two adults and two kids aged 4 to 15 was $125 in October 2026.

The Lagoon is a free 4,800sqm saltwater pool on the Cairns foreshore, watched by lifeguards and open all year. It opens 6am to 9pm, except Wednesdays when it opens at noon after cleaning, and inflatables and toys stay out of the water. Muddy's splash playground is about 700m along the Esplanade and opens 9am to 7pm.

Green Island is a coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef, about 50 minutes by ferry from Cairns, with a patrolled beach for swimming. Marineland Melanesia on the island has more than 15 crocodiles, croc shows at 10.30am and 1.30pm, and a chance to hold a baby croc. Stingers can be in the water at any time, more often in the warmer months, so pack full-body lycra suits.

More than 1,200 butterflies fly free in the sanctuary's aviary, in the middle of Kuranda village. Wear something bright and they may land on you, or take the behind-the-scenes tour of the lab where caterpillars are raised. It opens 9.30am to 3.30pm, within walking distance of the Skyrail and Scenic Railway stations.

Kids ride a World War II amphibious Army Duck through the rainforest and into a lake, with tours on the hour from 10am to 2pm. In the wildlife park they can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, and the one-hour Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience includes a dance show and boomerang throwing. The park is on the edge of Kuranda, about 30 minutes' drive from Cairns, and opens 9am to 3.30pm.

The exhibits follow water from rainforest creeks through mangroves to the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea. Kids can try the touch pool and watch the daily shark and ray feeds. Allow about two hours; it opens 9.30am to 3.30pm every day, with last entry at 2.30pm.

A 1.5km paved trail follows Freshwater Creek past shady swimming holes to a waterfall, about 20 minutes' drive from central Cairns. There are barbecues, picnic shelters and toilets, but dogs aren't allowed. The pools can hide submerged rocks, so read the signs and don't jump in.

This clear volcanic lake sits in rainforest about 68km from Cairns, up the Gillies Range. The 3km circuit track takes about an hour, and musky rat-kangaroos are often seen from it during the day. A freshwater crocodile lives in the lake, so watch the turtles and water dragons from the two viewing decks instead.

The falls are a popular swimming spot just south of Millaa Millaa, with picnic tables, barbecues, toilets and change rooms. Look for Ulysses butterflies, and for platypus late in the afternoon. They start the 17km Waterfall Circuit, which also takes in Zillie and Ellinjaa falls.