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Rockhampton to Cairns

What are the top things to do and see in Cairns?

Cairns Botanic Gardens

Home to one of the best tropical plant collections in Australia, the Cairns Botanic Gardens is a great place to visit once your flights from Rockhampton to Cairns touch down in the city. A little different in appearance from most other botanic gardens in the country, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the gardens, from settling in for a picnic with family and friends to joining a guided tour led by those who know the gardens best. Spend time discovering all the different themed gardens and experiences, from the Rainforest Boardwalk and the Aboriginal Plant Use Garden to the Zhanjiang Friendship Garden, and be sure to also keep an eye out for the diverse native birds and animals that call the gardens home.

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Running from Cairns to Kuranda, a ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway is a fantastic way to encounter the natural beauty of Cairns and its surrounds. From the comfort of a steam train carriage, you’ll travel through lush rainforest, passing by beautiful waterfalls and the striking Barron Gorge. Throughout the journey, you’ll hear informative commentary, allowing you to learn more about this spectacular corner of the country. Once you reach Kuranda, you’ll find plenty to see and do throughout the village before you make your way back to Cairns.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

With a mission to provide visitors with an engaging introduction to authentic Aboriginal culture, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is well worth a visit if you’d like to learn more about the world’s oldest continuous culture. Through live performances, visual effects and hands on activities, you’ll learn firsthand what makes Indigenous culture so special and so unique. Find out more about Indigenous art and music, try your hand at spear throwing and sample some delicious traditional foods. With your choice of day and night experiences, a visit to the cultural park is well worth adding to your itinerary once your Rockhampton to Cairns flights land.

Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

Overlooking Trinity Inlet, the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is a fantastic place to cool off on a warm day. Free to visit, the salt water pool is a safe place to swim that’s free of crocodiles, stingers and other creatures. With BBQ facilities, lifeguard patrols and wheelchair access available, the lagoon offers the perfect setting for a fun day out with the family. Popular with visitors travelling from Rockhampton to Cairns, the surrounding Esplanade precinct also offers plenty to see and do, from great restaurants to outdoor play equipment.

When is the best time to visit Cairns?

To experience Cairns’ best weather conditions, book your flights from Rockhampton to Cairns to arrive between April and October. This period coincides with the city’s dry season and experiences far less rain than at other times of the year. Even though it coincides with Australia’s winter, at this time the city enjoys warm temperatures, averaging between 26℃ and 29℃ throughout the day. It’s important to keep in mind that more people choose to holiday in the city at this time, meaning that airfares and accommodation may be in higher demand, especially during school holidays and over long weekends. If you plan to travel during the dry season, be sure to book your flights and accommodation well ahead of time.

If you’re searching for cheap flights from Rockhampton to Cairns, the best time to visit the city is during the wet season. Spanning from November to March, it’s at this time of the year that the city experiences its highest amounts of rainfall, with an average of 12 rainy days per calendar month. Outside the Christmas and New Year period, fewer tourists make their way to the city at this time, meaning that you may be able to snag a great deal on hotel rooms and Rockhampton to Cairns flights.

What are the top tips for first-time travellers to Cairns?

Thanks to the city’s tropical climate and high rainfall, mosquitoes are a common nuisance in Cairns. Pack plenty of mosquito repellent in your luggage before travelling from Rockhampton to Cairns to help prevent any uncomfortable bites.

If you’re set to stay in the heart of Cairns and don’t plan to head too far beyond the city centre, you should be fine navigating the city on foot. Not only is it the perfect excuse to admire the city’s beauty, but you’ll also enjoy some exercise along the way.

If you’re planning to set out on a few day trips from Cairns during your time in the city, it can be a good idea to hire a car. Giving you the flexibility to travel where you want, when you want, you’ll be able to travel beyond the city’s public transport network with relative ease. Secure a hire car ahead of time when booking your flights from Rockhampton to Cairns online with Webjet or choose to pick one up once your flights arrive at Cairns Airport (CNS).

FAQs

What is the flight time from Rockhampton to Cairns?

The flight time from Rockhampton to Cairns is between four and five hours. There are no direct flights available between Rockhampton and Cairns,  so the route flown and the length of each stopover will determine total travel time.

Which airlines fly from Rockhampton to Cairns?

Flights between Rockhampton and Cairns are serviced by Qantas and Virgin Australia.

What is the distance between Rockhampton and Cairns?

Rockhampton is approximately 870 kilometres from Cairns.