Cairns

A common stop over on the well trodden East Coast backpacker trail there is more to Cairns than initially meets the eye. When you first arrive it seems small, ugly and beachless – and it is! But a few evenings out at some of its legendary nightclubs and bars will soon change your opinion and you may well end up spending longer here than initially planned!

So what to see? Depending on your budget here are some Lazyshark suggestions on how to spend your time and Aussie dollars whilst you’re there:

Money to burn?

· Great Barrier Reef – A great place to go diving or even do your PADI course. Cairns has easy access to some fantastic reefs.
· Bungy – If you are not going on to New Zealand and Queenstown in particular Cairns is the best place in Australia to take the leap.
· Port Douglas - Some of Australia’s top hotels are located in this resort. If you are fed up with sharing your shower and listening to strangers snore then why not pamper yourself for one night…!
· Cairns Reef Hotel Casino – For all you card sharks out there…! However they also run regular promotions for those less hardened gamblers who just want to have a bit of fun or catch a show.

On a shoestring budget?

· Meal deals/Free drinks – Cairns is a real backpacker town and the local hostels have developed many ways of making you part with your dollars. There are always promotions and these can work out to be great value – e.g. Free transport to and from the bar plus discounted/free first drink. Ask at your hostels reception or check its notice board for the best current deals.
· Cairns swimming pools – Beachless, Cairns makes up for it by having some great outdoor pools where you can go and sunbathe and swim to your hearts content.
· Great Barrier Reef snorkelling trips – A much cheaper option than diving and you still get to see plenty of fish.
· Rainforest walk – If your mates are doing the bungy and you don’t fancy it/can’t afford it then get the free bus out to the bungy site with them but then go for a walk. There is a well maintained rainforest trail and if you not going north to Cape Tribulation it is well worth doing.