Honeymoon in Cairns, Australia - A guide for newlyweds

Is Cairns a great honeymoon destination?

If you’re ready to see some natural wonders and take on your first adventure as a newly-wed couple, then Cairns is the ideal destination to spend your honeymoon. While the iconic Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest are the most well-known attractions on offer, there’s plenty else to experience in this magical part of Queensland. 

Home to unparalleled natural beauty, there’s so much to take in and soak up during a visit to the region. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to life-affirming adventures, with more than 600 tours running daily to quench your thirst. 

You can also settle back for some downtime together, with a maze of alfresco dining options, bustling markets, rich culture and sandy beaches nearby. It’s a tropical oasis that you won’t ever want to leave.

When’s the best time to visit?

With its beautiful tropical climates, it’s best to avoid the Summer months in Cairns where the heat turns up a notch and can at times be very uncomfortable.

In fact, from June to August, which is Winter in Cairns, the temperature is just perfect. It ranges from about 17 to 26 degrees Celsius, so you can still get out on the water at the Great Barrier Reef and trek through the Wet Tropics, without struggling in the heat. 

During these months the rainfall is also nice and low, while the underwater visibility is high, ensuring you enjoy the best experience possible.

Top attractions to visit

Whether you prefer to spend your days hiking through the tropical rainforest, explore the alfresco dining options, take a dip in crystal clear oceans, or get up close with marine life, Cairns has some great attractions for you to check out. 

Great Barrier Reef

If you’re heading to Cairns on honeymoon, then the first destination on your list needs to be the Great Barrier Reef. It’s the world’s largest reef system with more than 2,900 individual reefs just waiting to be explored. Whether you’re keen to snorkel, swim, or dive, it’s a chance to spot more than 1,500 marine species living beneath the water’s surface.

The best way to uncover the reef and its dazzling plant and marine life is by hopping on an organised tour. It not only takes away all the stress of planning where to go and how to see it, but also offers up the best vantage points to really experience this natural wonder. Head to nearby islands, or the outer reef and find yourself dazzled by what the ocean offers.

Wet Tropics Rainforest

Another must-do on your visit to Cairns, this slice of heaven is 80 million years older than the Amazon, stretching from Cooktown in the far north to Townsville in the south. It’s home to a staggering more than 650 species of vertebrates, 230 types of butterfly, plus bundred of reptiles and mammals.

Of course, with so much ground to cover, you might be wondering the best way to see everything! You will find a network of hiking trails at Kamerunga, where you can climb to Glacier Rock and enjoy panoramic views over Cairns and the Coral Sea.

You can also head up to Lake Morris, where the drive is just as stunning as what you’ll find there. The road is dotted with incredible ferns, and at the end you can walk out onto the incredible lookout with a sweeping view over the city. 

If you’re after a truly unique way to see this amazing rainforest, then jump on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for some spectacular views. It spans more than 7.5 kilometres, offering up incredible views. You can stop at Edge Lookout, where you can hop out and stand on a glass platform that overlooks the Barron Falls.

Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

Fancy a dip? With the heat this tropical region brings with it, there’s no better place to cool off than the Cairns Lagoon. Here you will find 4800 square metres of swimming space sitting right in front of the Coral Sea with an incredible outlook.

It’s the perfect spot to laze back and enjoy a break from all the sightseeing fun. It’s open until 9pm, and surrounded by stalls selling souvenirs and food, so you can really make a day of it.

Insider tip: be sure to take a walk around the Esplanade while you’re there as you will find public artworks, along with memorials and monuments that pay tribute to the region’s history.

Cairns Botanic Gardens

Is there anything more romantic than packing a picnic and walking hand in hand through the 38-hectare tropical Cairns Botanical Gardens. While you could lose yourselves wandering these grounds for hours on end, set your sights on the Amorphophallus Titaniums - as this is home to one of only two of these plants found in Australia. 

Insider tip: Cairns Botanic Gardens often hold special educational events where you can extend your plant life knowledge. Be on the lookout during your trip to add that special touch.

Day Trips

While there’s plenty to do in the heart of Cairns, if you’re willing to venture a little further afield you will find even more adventure and natural beauty waiting for you.

Fitzroy Island

Cairns is surrounded by incredible islands that offer up some great vantage points for further exploring the Great Barrier Reef. One of the best is Fitzroy Island, which has a little bit of everything to entice you for the day. 

Jump on a ferry for the 45-minute journey to this incredible island with return services running daily. It’s the most amazing place to relax back, take a dip and explore the Great Barrier Reef for the day. Right on the beach you will find Foxy’s Bar where you can settle back, enjoy a drink (or two) and even watch a gorgeous sunset across Welcome Bay. 

While you’re there, plan a visit to the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, where they look after and feed sick and injured turtles. You can take a tour, learn more about these turtles and see the work done here.

You can also try your hand (or legs!) at some paddle boarding, sea kayaking, explore the many hiking trails, or even take a glass bottom boat tour to the reef.

Cape Tribulation

A 2 hour and 40 minute trip from Cairns, discover where the rainforest meets the reef as you sink your toes into a reef-lined tropical beach that is a sight to behold. It’s an experience like no other. 

This stunning coastal area is located within the Daintree National Park, where you will find so much to see and do. There’s a number of amazing boardwalks in the Daintree, where you can wander and soak up nature. Some of the best include Marrdja Boardwalk, Kulki Boardwalk and Dubuji Boardwalk.

Need to cool down after a walk? Head to Mason’s Swimming Hole, which is a great freshwater swimming spot right next to Mason’s Cafe - and just opposite the beach. For another great way to cool off, head to the Daintree Ice Cream Company for some delicious flavours made from exotic fruits found in the area.

Have an adventurous side? Be sure to book a crocodile spotting tour on the Daintree River, where the boat’s electric engines allow you to get up close in their natural habitat (if you dare!).

The Atherton Tablelands

If you travel beyond the mountain ranges, just 1.5 hours from Cairns, you’ll find high and flat regions known as the Atherton Tablelands. It’s the perfect opportunity to throw on your hiking boots and spend a day exploring the many rainforest and waterfall tracks.

Some walks to pop on your list include the Millaa Millaa Waterfall Circuit and Crater Lakes National Park. The latter is home to two volcanic lakes: Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine.

It’s also worth heading to the Crystal Caves, which is a privately owned collection of natural prehistoric crystals and fossils. Learn about the history of Australia at the Herberton Historic Village, where you’ll find an open-air museum, featuring eight, live working displays, including heritage train rides and more.

Port Douglas

Just a little over an hour from Cairns you can discover Port Douglas, where one of the most popular things to do is River Drift Snorkelling as you float down the Mossman River. You might even be lucky enough to spot a platypus. 

Pay a visit to the Trinity Bay Lookout, where you can see right over Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas, all the way down to Cairns. You can even make the trip down to Four Mile Beach to enjoy a swim and settle back on the sandy shores.

The Wildlife Habitat is another must-see where you can enjoy interactive experiences with the animals, such as swimming with saltwater crocodiles, cuddling a koala, feeding the wallabies and more. 

Finally stop off at Hemingways Brewery in Port Douglas for some craft beer tasting and grab a bite to eat while you’re at it. 

How long do you need to spend in Cairns on Honeymoon?

You’ll want to allow yourselves at least five days to take in the stunning sights of Cairns and soak up all the natural beauty ready for the taking. 

Take in one or two days on the Great Barrier Reef, another one or two days hiking through the Wet Tropics, then add on a couple of days for relaxing back and spending some quality time together.

Of course, if you’re planning on taking a day trip or two, you’ll want to extend your trip by a few more days to truly experience it all.

Saving for your Honeymoon trip

If you’re heading to Cairns, you want to make sure you experience all the highlights, which means booking in the tours that appeal to you and diving into the stunning marine life.

Expect to spend about $2500 for a week in Cairns, including accommodation but not including your flights. On top of this, you will need to factor in any tours or day trips you have planned, or any experiences that cost money.

While it’s easy to do Cairns on a budget, in order to well and truly tick your bucket list items and get the most out of your honeymoon, it helps to budget a little extra money.

Have we given you the Aussie travel bug? We can help with that!

Our Australia Honeymoon Packages and Itineraries are a great place to start or Contact Us to discuss a bespoke honeymoon itinerary developed with our expert travel consultants