8 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Cairns
Cairns is considered the “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef” and honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from this city.
After all, I only included Cairns on my 2-week Australian trip so I could snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef.
I figured most tourists use Cairns as a home base for other adventurous day trips So, I anticipated a Gatlinburg or Niagara Falls situation- a slightly run-down city filled with overpriced go-karts, amusement rides, and carnival food.
But I was pleasantly surprised by Cairns.
Sure, there were some overpriced souvenir shops. And many tourists do use Cairns as a home base before visiting the Great Barrier Reef or the Daintree Rainforest. But this city has unique offerings that are worth checking out.
Plus, many of these activities are budget-friendly! Don’t miss these 8 free and cheap things to do in Cairns.
Walk the Esplanade Boardwalk
The Esplanade is a 3km boardwalk situated along the swampy shore. This is the city’s hub. You will find restaurants, bars, and hotels along the walkway.
You can reserve a BBQ for a picnic, go for a jog, or sunbathe the grass. Weekend concerts are held regularly, so check the website for a current schedule.
As you walk along the Esplanade, keep an eye out for a few monuments. You will see the Cairns Sailors and Soldiers Memorial, a 41-ft tall WWI monument. It was originally built as a clocktower, but when it was relocated to its current position, the clock was removed. A clock face was painted with the time 4:28 am, marking the time the ANZAC soldiers landed on Gallipoli.
Another monument along the Esplanade marks Cairns contribution to the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Cairns was the start of the Olympic Torch Relay and this event helped bring the city to the world stage.
Workout for Free
As you walk along the Esplanade, you will notice exercise machines spaced along the boardwalk. These are free for public use, so feel free to get a workout in.
Or, join one of the free workout classes held 5 days a week on the Esplanade. Zumba, pilates, and skateboarding are just a few of the classes offered. Check the current schedule on the website, or look for signs posted along the Esplanade.
Swim in the Lagoon
While we are talking about the Esplanade, we can’t ignore the lagoon.
This manmade pool is the perfect spot for safe swimming and relaxing. While I was researching my trip, I learned that stinger season lasts in the Cairns region from November-May. I am very unfamiliar with jellyfish (especially poisonous and deadly jellyfish you can find in tropical Queensland) so I didn’t want to worry about swimming near these creatures.
The lagoon is a safe jellyfish free zone where you can meet locals or backpackers, enjoy the
Enjoy Happy Hour
To get the best deals, enjoy a drink or meal in the early evening.
Most Great Barrier Reef day trips return to Cairns between 4:30-5:00. Everyone gets off the boat, goes to their hotels to shower, then goes out to dinner. It could be 6:30-7:00 before the day trippers are ready to eat.
So, if you are just spending the day in Cairns, take advantage of the early evening deals. Many bars and restaurants offer Happy Hour specials for customers arriving before the day trip rush.
Unfortunately, many of the restaurants don’t advertise their deals, so you many need to go on a Happy Hour hunt. But, you shouldn’t have a problem if you stick to restaurants along the Esplanade or near the Marina.
I enjoyed a Happy Hour drink at The Pier Bar and Rattle n’ Hum.
Take a Hike
Visit the Cairns Botanic Gardens for a
While you are at the Botanic Gardens, don’t miss the conservancy, where you can see a variety of lush trees, colorful orchids, and butterflies.
To reach the Red and Blue Arrow trailheads and the Botanic Gardens, take a bus or Uber to the Tanks Arts Centre. The Botanic Gardens are free to visit.
Sip on a Coffee
I love Australia’s coffee culture.
In every city I visited, I found a collection of cute cafes serving delicious espresso drinks. And Cairns was no exception.
To be fair, high-quality espresso drinks will cost anywhere between $4-$7 AUD, so these are not exactly cheap. But I promise they are worth it! (And if you are from the US, that is closer to $3-$5 USD, which is basically the price of a Starbucks drink).
In Cairns, you should check out
Be aware, most Australian coffee shops are only open for breakfast and lunch, so they often close by 3pm.
Try a Jaffle
I quickly learned that Australia doesn’t have many national foods.
So, when I heard about a jaffle, I knew I wanted to try one.
Basically, a jaffle is a toasted and pressed sandwich (similar to a panini). And at JaffleHead in Cairns, you can try a variety of different jaffles. They serve classics, vegetarian, and sweet jaffles. Or you can build your own from a collection of ingredients. I tried a chicken, cheese and mushroom jaffle which was crispy and delicious.
Jaffles cost anywhere from $7-$13 AUD, so they are a relatively cheap option for lunch.
Explore the Cairns Art Gallery
Located in a restored 1930s building, the Cairns Art Gallery showcases a collection of Australian art.
I enjoyed this free museum way more than I was expecting. Although it is a small museum, it features a variety of rotating exhibits. During my visit, I saw Andrea Huelin’s exhibit Everyday and Goobalathaldin Dick Roughsey’s Stories of this Land.
This is the perfect place to spend an hour or so learning more about Australia’s unique culture.
Check the website to see what is on now.
I hope you enjoyed my list of 8 free and cheap things to do in Cairns. Did I leave anything out? Let me know below.
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