Ruqayyah Snyder
Cairns, Australia is a popular tourist destination known for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, the Wet Tropics of Queensland, and the Atherton Tableland. The city is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, offering tours and underwater experiences such as diving at the SS Yongala wreck site. In addition to the reef, Cairns boasts tropical rainforests, peaks, and palm trees, with popular attractions including the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the Kuranda Scenic Railway. The city itself provides a range of accommodations, international restaurants, boutique shopping, modern art galleries, and evening entertainment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Queensland, Australia |
| Attractions | Great Barrier Reef, Wet Tropics of Queensland, Atherton Tableland, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Cairns Aquarium, Muddy's Playground, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway |
| Wildlife | Colourful coral, tropical fish, dolphins, turtles, rays, stingers, crocodiles |
| Tourism Ranking | 4th-most-popular destination for international tourists in Australia |
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What You'll Learn
The Great Barrier Reef
Today, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most sought-after tourist destinations, attracting visitors who enjoy activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, helicopter tours, and glass-bottomed boat viewing. It is one of the seven wonders of the natural world and is larger than the Great Wall of China. The Great Barrier Reef is also the only living thing on Earth that can be seen from space.
A large part of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which helps to limit the impact of human activities such as fishing and tourism. However, the reef and its ecosystem still face environmental pressures, including the runoff of human-made pollutants, climate change, and the dumping of dredging sludge. Despite these threats, the Great Barrier Reef remains a spectacular natural wonder and an important cultural site for the Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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The Coral Sea
The reefs and islands within the Coral Sea support a diverse range of bird and aquatic life, making it a popular tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors. The sea has also been of economic importance, offering fisheries and petroleum deposits in the Gulf of Papua. Additionally, it serves as a channel for ocean shipping between eastern Australia, the South Pacific islands, and China, located about 200 miles (320 km) east of the Great Barrier Reef.
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$33.25 $34.95
The Wet Tropics of Queensland
The Wet Tropics is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot and is home to many unique plants and animals. It contains the highest concentration of primitive flowering plant families in the world, with 12 of the 19 families found worldwide present in the region, including two families found nowhere else. There are over 390 rare plant species, including 74 that are threatened, and at least 85 species that are endemic to the area. The Wet Tropics also has the highest concentration of primitive flowering plant families in the world, with only Madagascar and New Caledonia having comparable levels of endemism due to their historical isolation.
The Wet Tropics provides the only habitat for numerous rare species of plants and animals, with 380 plants and 102 animals considered rare or threatened. These species include 40 rare animal species, such as the northern bettong, the spotted-tailed quoll, the yellow-bellied glider, the southern cassowary, and the musky rat-kangaroo. The musky rat-kangaroo is significant as it represents an early stage in the evolution of kangaroos and is one of 50 animal species unique to the area. The Wet Tropics is also home to Australia's rarest mammal, the insectivorous Flores tube-nosed bat.
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The Atherton Tableland
This region is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities to suit all tastes. Hiking and bushwalking trails wind through the rainforest, providing the chance to spot unique wildlife and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. For a bird's-eye view of the region, visitors can take to the skies with a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, or try their hand at skydiving for a thrilling experience. The Atherton Tableland is also known for its coffee and food culture, with many local cafes and restaurants showcasing fresh, locally sourced produce, as well as a thriving arts and crafts scene, reflecting the creative spirit of the community.
The diverse ecosystems of the Atherton Tableland support a rich array of wildlife, including unique and endangered species. The Wet Tropics Rainforest, which covers much of the region, is home to ancient plant species and rare animals such as the tree-kangaroo and the endangered cassowary, a large, flightless bird native to Australia and New Guinea. The region is also an important habitat for a variety of birdlife, with over 350 species of birds recorded in the area, making it a popular destination for birdwatching enthusiasts. The natural environment of the Atherton Tableland is carefully managed and conserved to ensure the protection of these precious ecosystems for future generations.
In addition to its natural attractions, the Atherton Tableland has a rich cultural and historical heritage. The region is home to a number of indigenous communities, and visitors can learn about the traditional owners of the land and their connection to the country through cultural tours and experiences. The area also has a fascinating pioneering history, with many historic buildings and sites that tell the story of early settlement in the region. The Herberton Historic Village, for example, is a living museum that brings the past to life, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the pioneering days of the Atherton Tableland.
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Trinity Inlet
The Trinity Inlet is an oceanic inlet that serves as the port for the city of Cairns in Queensland, Australia. The inlet is located in the original delta of the Mulgrave River, which flows to a mouth further south—at Russell Heads, approximately 30 kilometres south of the inlet. The city centre of Cairns is on the western bank of the inlet, where it meets the Coral Sea.
The Trinity Inlet is lined with mangroves and mudflats, and a large mud island named Admiralty Island has formed within it. The inlet provides limited deep-water berthing for the port of Cairns, allowing the export of cane sugar. It is also home to the region's only tanker berth and the Royal Australian Navy base HMAS Cairns. Several shipbuilders and tour operators that visit the Great Barrier Reef are based at the Reef Terminal on the entrance to the inlet.
The inlet has a significant history, with the Allied Forces using it as a major military seaplane base during World War II. It also holds cultural significance for the Indigenous Yidinji peoples of gimuy, with rich cultural stories associated with the area.
In recent years, the Queensland Government has undertaken remediation efforts to address the discharge of sulfuric acid into the inlet, which has resulted in fish kills. The inlet offers shelter to small vessels during tropical cyclones and is also home to a commercial saltwater crocodile farm on its upper reaches.
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Frequently asked questions
The big body of water near Cairns, Australia, is the Coral Sea, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef is a popular tourist destination, offering a range of activities, including snorkelling, scuba diving, boat tours, and helicopter rides.
The Great Barrier Reef is home to an abundance of marine life, including colourful coral, tropical fish, dolphins, turtles, rays, and sharks.
Cairns has a lot to offer beyond the Great Barrier Reef. You can visit the Cairns Aquarium, take a stroll through the Cairns Esplanade Markets, explore the Kuranda Scenic Railway, or enjoy the beaches, rainforests, and World Heritage-listed national parks in the area.
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