Cairns & The Great Barrier Reef
Cairns kicked off our Aussie road trip, but WARNING⚠️ February = monsoon season—avoid Cairns & the Whitsundays then! 🌴 Destination Spotlight This guide covers Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef 🏝️, with: 🗺️ Hand-drawn maps & itinerary planner 🚶♀️ No-backtracking City Walk route 🚢 Reef boat comparison & sailing routes (Like & follow for more—check out our Perth maps too!) 📅 5-Day Itinerary D1: 🚢 Great Barrier Reef day cruise (Must-do!) D2: 🌿 Kuranda Rainforest (Skip if not into touristy spots) D3: 🎈 Atherton Tablelands hot air balloon (Epic sunrise views!) D4: 🪂 Mission Beach skydive / 🌊 Tully River rafting / 🏰 Paronella Park D5: 🌆 City Walk (Art Gallery → Lagoon Pool → Aquarium → Museum → Night Market) Flexible for 4D3N or 5D4N stays! 🚗 Transport Tips Skip renting a car—most tours include shuttle buses. Uber/taxis work for short trips. 💡 Pro Tips ☀️ Best season: Dry months (Jun-Nov). Avoid Feb! 🏨 Stay downtown—everything’s walkable! 🧴 Pack: Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses. 💦 Rafting? Bring a full change of clothes—you’ll get SOAKED! 🌊 Reality Check Cairns is chill coastal vibes, not a thrill-a-minute spot. Lower expectations, soak up the slow pace, and live that reef life! 💙 #TravelMaps #ExploreAustralia #CairnsTravel #GreatBarrierReef #ScubaDiving #HotAirBalloon #Skydiving #TravelGuide #Wanderlust #Snorkeling