Cairns, Australia: a Guide for Solo Travelers

Hi everyone! I recently went on a solo trip to Cairns, Australia, and let me tell you, this trip exceeded all expectations. Cairns is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. Between the Great Barrier Reef and the Lucious rainforest, there is so much to do here. Everyone I met was so friendly, and it is the perfect destination for solo travelers. Without further ado, here is my guide for solo traveling Cairns!

This guide will cover:

• Where to stay
• What to do
• & Where to eat

Where to Stay

A hostel is a perfect option if you are solo traveling, and it is also going to be very budget friendly! You are destined to meet other friendly solo travelers during your stay at a hostel. I stayed in two different hostels while I was here and had a great experience with both.

The first hostel I stayed in was Summer House Backpackers. This hostel was very spacious and had a ton of free daily activities guests could participate in. There is also a pool, volleyball court, and a bar/restaurant here. The only thing I didn’t love about this hostel was the location. It is a bit of a walk to get to the city center, but the hostel provides free bike rentals and a shuttle to the city center every 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to 1130 p.m.

The second hostel I stayed in was Mad Monkey Waterfront. Honestly, I preferred this hostel over the other. This hostel also provided free activities for guests to participate in and free breakfast. For a hostel, the place was very clean, and despite staying in an eight-bed dorm, I felt that I had plenty of room. The best part about this hostel was the location. It’s located right in the city center so there are a ton of things to do within walking distance.

What to Do

There are so many amazing things to do in Cairns, especially if you are an adventure lover. I wish I had more time here to do more activities, but I did get to cross a ton of things off my bucket list that i’m excited to share with you all.

1. Snorkel/Dive the Great Barrier Reef

I think it goes without saying that this is the number one thing you need to do if you plan on going to Cairns! The Great Barrier Reef contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs. It is also home to thousands of fish species and different types of mollusks.

Now if you want to go to the reef, you’re going to have to book a tour. I decided to go with Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel and I was extremely happy with my experience. Dreamtime is eco-certified and Australian owned and operated. This tour takes you to two outer reef locations and provides all the equipment. The tour is also all day, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the reef, and a lunch buffet is included. Educational experiences are also provided by on board marine biologists and the tour incorporates indigenous culture, which I found very interesting.

2. Go Chase Some Waterfalls

While doing some research before my trip, I knew I had to go check out some of the beautiful waterfalls. Cairns is covered in rainforest, and there are a ton of swimming holes and waterfalls nestled in there that left me in awe. The best part is that I got to see them all in one day with the tour I booked!

I booked the Fun, Falls, and Forest Day Trip with Uncle Brian’s Tours company. Let me just say, the next time i’m in Cairns, I will definitely be booking another tour with Uncle Brian’s. This tour company is catered toward backpackers, so it is affordable, and you’ll definitely make some new friends on the tour. The whole day was so fun, and the tour guide, Brian (not THE uncle Brian), was awesome! This tour takes you to several different waterfalls and swimming holes. It also includes lunch, nature walks, and if you’re lucky, a platypus sighting!

3. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

So there is no real beach in Cairns, which I did not realize until after I arrived. What I thought was the beach is actually mud flats that crocodiles call home. Fortunately, there’s the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon!

The best way to describe the lagoon is as a giant swimming pool open to the public. This is the perfect place to spend a warm, sunny day. There are lifeguards on duty and public toilets here as well. Along the esplanade there are also other facilities like volleyball courts and workout equipment that are free to use.

4. Take a Ferry to Fitzroy Island

You absolutely need to go to Fitzroy Island if you’ll be in Cairns. Fitzroy Island is a Great Barrier Reef island, and it only takes a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns Marina to get there. I took a ferry run by Sunlover Reef Cruises and got to stay on the island from 10am to 5pm.

There are a ton of fun things you can do once you’re actually on the island. I highly recommend doing the Summit Track hike. The hike takes about two hours, and the views are stunning. Afterwards, I grabbed some lunch at Foxy’s Bar before heading over to Nudey Beach. This was one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever been to. Definitely bring your snorkel gear because I saw a ton of fish and sea turtles while swimming. There are also some other nature walks and activities like kayaking that you can enjoy on the island.

5. Day Trip to Palm Cove

Palm Cove is a little beach village between Cairns and Port Douglas. If you don’t have your own transportation, the best way to get there is by bus. It is only $2 round trip, so this is a great day trip to take if you’re on a budget.

I chose to spend most of my time here at the beach, but there are also a ton of restaurants and boutiques that you can check out in the area. I also recommend walking over to the jetty for some pretty views of the mountains and islands.

Where to Eat

1. Bang and Grind Cafe

I tried quite a few cafes while in Cairns, and Bang and Grind was my favorite! The coffee was delicious, and they have something on the menu for everyone at very reasonable prices.

2. Ochre

If you are looking to enjoy some Australian cuisine, I highly recommend eating at Ochre. The menu offers tasty and unique dishes that you’ll definitely enjoy. The service here was fantastic, and you can dine while enjoying a beautiful view of the marina.

3. The Night Market

The Night Market offers a ton of budget friendly dining options. It is located in the city center, and after grabbing a bite to eat, I highly recommend checking out the vendors!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and found some useful tips if you plan on traveling to Cairns! If you plan on traveling further down south, I suggest reading my Road Tripping Guide for Byron Bay to Newcastle Australia.