Nomadic African

by TraceyLC 

 So, you’ve managed to scrape together enough money to get to Cairns and pay for accommodation. You can just stretch the funds to cover the cost of three meals a day, as long as you keep it simple, but really there’s nothing left over to spend on entertainment. Well don’t panic, there’re plenty of free things to do in Cairns if you know where to go.

Hit the Beach near Cairns

Although Cairns itself is on a bay rather than a beach, there is a fantastic choice of beautiful beaches to visit within half an hour from Cairns city that are easily accessible by bus or car. Trinity Beach is the smallest and most secluded and boasts white sand and blue water and a swimming enclosure during stinger season. A little further north is Palm Cove, a long beach flanked by luxury resorts, shops and restaurants and a picturesque dock to walk on where boats to the barrier reef and surrounding islands pick up passengers. The most scenic of the local beaches is Ellis beach, which only has one small café and long stretches of often deserted sand – a favourite with locals. 

Go for a Walk in and around Cairns

Talk a walk along the Esplanade at sunset, you’ll see plenty of people, lots of weird and wonderful birds, see the sun set over the mountains and get a sense of the relaxed Cairns lifestyle. An evening walk along the Marina to see the return of the fishing and diving boats is equally as relaxing. You may even get to listen to some free original music from one of the many local musos trying to make a buck busking. 

Mt Whitfield has two walks winding up through the forest – one is less than two kilometers long, while the other is a more serious walk and is about a 5 kilometre round trip. Both walks are a great way to see the beautiful flora and fauna of the area.

Go for a Swim in Cairns

Crystal Cascades, nestled in the world heritage rainforest, is one of Cairn’s favourite swimming holes and for good reason. The crystal clear water cascades through the valley surrounded by lush, green rainforest. There is a picnic area near the swimming hole with free BBQs so you can pack a picnic and stay for the day and it won’t cost you a cent.

Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is a completely free council run safe, salt water swimming lagoon. The water is pumped from the inlet and filtered so that it meets Australian standards and the lagoon is surrounded by sand, grassy lawn and timber decks to lounge on – a great ‘croc-free’ swimming spot for those hot Cairns days.

If your accommodation in Cairns has a pool, there’s no need to even leave your hotel. Set yourself up poolside with a drink and a sandwich and enjoy the warm tropical weather. 

Take a Walk in the Cairns Botanic Gardens

Located only 4 kilometres out of town, the Cairns Botanic Gardens are a tropical paradise where you can learn about the local tropical flora, explore the stunning tropical plants or just relax in the beautiful surrounds. You can spend an hour or two hear or the whole day. The gardens are open every day of the year from 7.30am to 5.30pm. 

Visit the Cairns Art Galleries

For a town the size of Cairns, there are a surprising number of art galleries. So, if you like your art spend some time wandering the streets of Cairns exploring the little galleries along the way. 

There are plenty of free things to do and see in Cairns if your budget is tight. Ask the reception staff at your Cairns hotel for a free map of the area and a calendar of free events for the time you are staying – you’ll be surprised at how little your holiday can cost. 

For more information on budget Cairns Hotels visit Choice Hotels Australia online.