The best things to do with kids in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Looking for free things to do with kids in Cairns? Tropical North Queensland is packed with waterfalls, swimming holes and shady streams that double as epic family playgrounds.

• Crystal Cascades: Just 25 minutes from Cairns. Small waterfalls tumble into big rock pools, perfect for swimming, splashing and picnics. A paved 1.2km walking track makes it family-friendly, with BBQs and tables ready for your rainforest feast. Local tip: the pools closest to the car park are safest for little swimmers.
• Stoney Creek Falls: Nestled in Barron Gorge National Park, stick to the waterholes near the car park - the further you wander, the trickier the track gets for small legs.
• Ellinjaa Falls: Tucked into the Waterfall Circuit, this magic spot is a favourite for families. A short 200-metre stroll leads you to cascading falls, shady picnic spots, and even the chance to spot turtles or platypus at play. For a real adventure, duck behind the curtain of water and perch on the hidden ledge for a view the kids won’t forget.

2. Visit Atherton Tablelands

Slow things down with a trip to the Atherton Tablelands, where country roads wind past waterfalls, crater lakes and farm-fresh produce. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife (if you’re lucky, you might even spot the elusive Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo). Don’t miss the star of the show, the 500-year-old Curtain Fig Tree. Its giant roots tumbling to the forest floor will have the kids wide-eyed. A short, stroller and wheelchair-friendly boardwalk makes it easy for the whole family to explore.

3. Stay cool at the Cairns Lagoon

For a sun-soaked day that won’t cost a cent, head to the Cairns Lagoon on the Esplanade. This sprawling saltwater pool is fringed with sandy beaches, timber decks and shady palms - the perfect spot to cool off at. 

If the kids still have energy to burn, wander along to Muddy’s Playground. Packed with splash zones, climbing frames and all the play equipment they could dream of, it’s no wonder this is one of the top free things to do with kids in Cairns.

4. Road trip the Great Tropical Drive

If your crew loves a good road trip, the Great Tropical Drive is calling. Rolling out of Cairns, you’ll cruise past palm-fringed beaches, through rainforest-lined roads and all the way to Cape Tribulation. With the Great Barrier Reef on one side and the Wet Tropics rainforest on the other, you can tick off two World Heritage areas. Plus the views are nothing short of magical. 

Pull over at Rex Lookout for that frame-worthy family snap (trust us, the backdrop is unreal), and pack a picnic so you can stop at one of the many beaches along the way. 

5. Go cassowary spotting

If you want to see a cassowary in the wild, your best bet is around Mission Beach, otherwise known as the Cassowary Coast.

Djiru National Park, traditionally owned by the Djiru Aboriginal People, has a dedicated children’s cassowary walk and an information shelter where you can learn all about these endangered birds. If you’re not fortunate enough to find one in the wild, you can always visit the Big Cassowary statue in town, it makes for an epic photo opportunity!

Top Things To Do With Kids In Tropical North Queensland That Are Worth Paying For

6. Adventure around Kuranda

Just 25 kilometres from Cairns, Kuranda is a rainforest wonderland built for families who love adventure with a side of chill. Perched 380 metres above the valley, this quirky village packs enough action, wildlife and rainforest magic to keep kids wide-eyed and buzzing all day. 

• Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway: hop on a vintage train and wind through lush gorges and waterfalls. Adventure and nostalgia rolled into one.
• Return on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: glide above the treetops and soak in jaw-dropping views of rainforest and coastline.
• Meet wildlife up close: Butterflies, birds and cuddly koalas make for easy smiles at the Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld, and Koala Gardens.
• Rainforestation Nature Park: Climb aboard an amphibious Army Duck for a rainforest tour on land and water, wander the Tropical Fruits Orchard, dive into the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience with dance and Dreamtime activities, and meet native critters from wallabies to the only Tasmanian Devils in Tropical North Queensland.

7. Dine with wildlife in Port Douglas

Take the family for breakfast or lunch with the lorikeets at Wildlife Habitat, a hands-on sanctuary celebrating Australian wildlife in Port Douglas. Meet colorful lorikeets, cockatoos and curlews, snap a selfie, and explore interactive rainforest, wetland and grassland habitats. Catch Estuarine Crocodiles from the grandstand, or go eye-to-eye in the Swim with The Salties experience in CrocArena. It’s an unforgettable way to connect with wildlife in Tropical North Queensland.

8. Learn about Crocodiles

Up for some croc action? Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is a must-visit for families in Tropical North Queensland. Cruise through lagoons alongside prehistoric giants, (some over five metres long), and learn about their evolution and conservation. Feeling brave? Take on the Big Croc Experience and pole-feed a crocodile, perfect for the big kids (16 years and up) ready for a wild, hands-on adventure.

9. Explore the Great Barrier Reef

No trip to Tropical North Queensland is complete without diving into the mesmerising Great Barrier Reef. With so many ways to explore, it can be tricky to know which operators are best for little adventurers. Don’t worry, we’ve rounded up the top family-friendly Great Barrier Reef experiences to make your underwater adventure stress-free and unforgettable.

10. Marvel at the Crystal Caves

Just an hour from Cairns in the Atherton Tablelands, Crystal Caves is a glittering maze of tunnels, grottos, crystals and fossils, perfect for kids to explore, touch, and even crack open their own geodes on the Crack a Geode Experience.

11. Uncover the magic of Paronella Park

Step into another world at Paronella Park, where Spanish migrant Jose Paronella brought his castle dream to life. Explore 13 acres of fairytale-worthy gardens, fountains, bridges and the castle itself. When it’s time to refuel, hit Cafe on the Deck for a locally sourced tea or a banana smoothie made with fresh bananas from a nearby plantation. Local tip: opt for the family pass to save money on entry. Here's how you can explore Paronella Park in a day.

12. Discover the Daintree

Dive into the Daintree Rainforest, a World Heritage-listed wonder in Tropical North Queensland. Start at the Daintree Discovery Centre in Cape Tribulation and explore every layer of the forest — from the forest floor to the treetop canopy on aerial walkways and a 23-metre tower. Interactive games, videos, and creek displays with turtles, frogs and reptiles make it a hands-on rainforest adventure for the whole family.

If you want to stay on period, follow this three-day family itinerary in the Daintree.

13. Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture

Tropical North Queensland is rich in Aboriginal history and culture. Kids will love exploring ancient traditions, dreaming stories, and hands-on experiences that bring the land’s First Nations culture to life.

• Walkabout Cultural Adventures: Based around Mossman Gorge, this 100% Aboriginal-owned tour shows families how the Kuku Yalanji people lived off the land. Learn about bush food, medicine, hunting practices and more on a full-day or half-day adventure.
• Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks: A short but unforgettable 1.5-hour rainforest journey from the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre to the Mossman River. Experience a smoking ceremony, explore a sacred site, taste bush tea and damper, and soak up Dreamtime stories. Even better: Mossman Gorge shuttle access is included.

Local tip: These tours are probably best for families with kids at least primary school age (so they can understand the information being shared).

14. The Undara Lava Experience

Venture into Gulf Savannah and step inside giant lava tubes - remnants of prehistoric volcanoes - on the Undara Lava Experience. Kids will love exploring this underground world and learning about Earth’s fiery history.

If you want to linger, stay overnight in quirky railway carriages, pioneer huts, swag tents, or campgrounds for a full-on adventure.

Local tip: November to January is green season, so plan ahead as some tours may be limited during the wet.

15. Cairns Aquarium

Explore Cairns Aquarium, where families can discover 11 North Queensland ecosystems, from rainforest rivers to the Great Barrier Reef. Kids will love touching rays, watching shark feeds, and going behind the scenes at the Turtle Hospital. Don’t miss the Aquarium by Twilight tour, an after-hours adventure with nocturnal critters, a guide, and an optional three-course dinner surrounded by glowing sea life.

16. Frolick at Fitzroy Island

Just a 45-minute ferry from Cairns, Fitzroy Island is a playground of beaches, rocky outcrops, and a snorkel-ready reef bursting with colourful marine life. Kids will go wild at Nudey Beach - Australia’s award-winning, family-friendly sand paradise - and the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, where they can watch turtles get a helping hand back to the sea. Your mission: Snorkel, kayak, hike, and build the ultimate sandcastle masterpiece!

17. Feast your way through Tropical North Queensland’s kid-friendly restaurants

If there’s one thing you can bet on during a family holiday, it’s the kids asking, “When’s lunch?” Luckily, Tropical North Queensland is packed with kid-friendly cafes and restaurants that will keep the whole crew happy, full, and ready for the next adventure.

Some must visit family-friendly restaurants in Tropical North Queensland:

• Prawn Star, Cairns: Not only do you get stunning water views, but the kids will be thrilled to eat on a floating restaurant, watching the trawlers in action while you all tuck into the freshest local seafood straight off the boat.
• Dundee’s Restaurant On The Waterfront, Cairns: Tuck into drool-worthy bush tucker, steak and seafood on the Cairn’s waterfront.
• Muddy’s Cafe, Cairns: Located in Cairns’ largest playground and waterpark, this sweet spot offers a relaxed dining setting from breakfast to dinner. Think: kids menus with syrup-coated pancakes, cheeseburgers and a dagwood dog with chips.
• Port Douglas Surf Club, Port Douglas: Families can’t go wrong with a classic Queensland surf club. Book a table on the open deck with Four Mile Beach views, and let the kids burn off energy at the epic playground next door.

Almost free things to do with kids in Tropical North Queensland

18. Enjoy Hammock Heaven at Palm Cove

If you want to hit pause and slow down, Palm Cove - just off Captain Cook Highway - feels like a world away. Splash around with the kids in the calm waters or swing in the hammocks under the palms. Spend the afternoon wandering the village and treat everyone to a gelato. 

19. Stroll, snack, and shop at Cairns’ best markets