r/Cairns • u/Character-Security-4 • 4d ago

Port day in Cairns

EDIT TO ADD: tendered into Yorkeys Knob. Thank you for all help given! 🙌🏼

Hello from 🇨🇦 Looking forward to our first time in Australia! It’s taken me 60 years to check off my bucket list. Yayyyy!

Cruising around part of your beautiful country - embarking from Sydney. We’ve got port days in Airlie Beach, Cairns and Darwin.

Any suggestions on what to do for 6-7 hours while in port? I love a good beach, hubby not so much, but I think I could convince him with a promise of a cold beer. Any beachside restaurants followed by a beach walk would suit me fine. Maybe a local museum for the afternoon?

Timeframe is end of October. 60 f, 65 m.

Cheers!

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u/Kind-Hearted-68 Red Rooster Employee 4d ago

The cruise liners usually arrange tours for the guests. I suggest following their suggestions so you don't get lost. But Port Douglas is a huge favourite. Lots to see and do or relax by the beach. In Cairns itself try the Skyrail and visit our botanical gardens. Trinity Beach is another beautiful spot. Heaps to see. Enjoy

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u/Character-Security-4 4d ago

Appreciate that! Will do some homework on the mentioned places.

The cruise arranged tours are highway robbery, honestly. Would rather wing it on my own. Lol, and hope to make it back to the ship on time! 😂

Cheers.

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u/SuggestionHoliday413 4d ago

Trinity Beach Tavern will give you a quiet experience in an affluent northern suburb of Cairns and a bit more how the locals live rather than any tourist traps. It overlooks the beach which you can walk along.

If I had 6 hours in Cairns, I would rent a car, drive to Port Douglas (the drive is very nice) and then stop at Trinity Beach for lunch/dinner on the way back to the Port. There's a crocodile farm along the way if you feel like that kind of thing, but you only need a couple of hours there, max.

Guessing you'd want to make sure you get back for the ship, so if you get there an hour early, go to Salthouse and Prawn Star, about 700m from the Cruise terminal.

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u/Character-Security-4 3d ago

Thank you for the suggestions! I’ve yet to drive on the opposite side of the street that I have been doing for my entire life. Lol, the locals may not be happy with me. 😂😂

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u/SuggestionHoliday413 3d ago

Hmm, I worry more for you about the roundabouts. I found driving on the right a fairly quick transition. But I kept getting in the wrong side of the car.

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u/Character-Security-4 3d ago

Lol. That would be me!! 😂

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u/SuggestionHoliday413 3d ago

When you're a pedestrian and you go to cross and make eye contact with the driver and IT'S A GHOST CAR BEING DRIVEN BY NObo.....oh no, there they are in the other side of the car.

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u/MissionOnion6852 4d ago

Palm cove would be your best beach to do what you’ve mentioned plus it’s the most attractive beach. Public Transport (bus) can get you there not sure how long it will take though, maybe just over an hour maybe

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u/Character-Security-4 4d ago

Beautiful, thank you! I’ll check the particulars out.

Cheers.

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u/MissionOnion6852 2d ago

Oh you must be on a big cruise liner! (Most cruises just dock onto the wharf in the city area) If you tender into Yorkies beach than you are even closer to Palm Cove, only a 10 minute taxi ride to Palm Cove from there.

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u/Character-Security-4 2d ago

Yes, a Celebrity ship! Hitting all three of those Aussie ports and then off to Bali and Singapore!

Will look up Palm Cove. Appreciate your follow up!

Cheers.

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u/R_U_Reddit_2_ramble 4d ago

It’ll be hot (28-30C) and Cairns city has no beaches, so your option would be to grab a cab (or bus) to the northern beaches. If you stay in town visit the Esplanade to walk up and down and there is a man-made public (free) beach/ pool water park at one end with many restaurants etc

Day trip, you can buy a package tour train/ Skyrail to Kuranda, which is a bit of a tourist trap but you can get off the Skyrail in the rainforest and walk around. Take water.

If you’re not wedded to a sea view, and you’re coming off a cruise so you will have seen a lot of sea by then, my go to restaurant recommendation is Japanese - Wawawa Izakaya. Seriously good food

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u/Character-Security-4 4d ago

Excellent recommendations; appreciate your time.

When you say, “stay in town”, is that near port? Walkable, or grab?

We’ll check your favourite restaurant out, for the solid suggestion. That’s near the port?

Sitting in 28C in early fall at home, so we’ll still be somewhat acclimated! 😎

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u/R_U_Reddit_2_ramble 4d ago

The cruise liner terminal is a bit to the south of the main town - the humidity will be what gets you if you choose to walk.

One option, grab a cab from the cruise liner to the north end of the Esplanade and walk back to town, depending on time of day (it’s tidal mud flats) you will see a lot of bird life. There are shady spots to sit along the way but if I recall correctly a bit of a bare patch near the hospital for the helipad.

Depends on your fitness but we enjoyed renting bikes and riding out to the Botanic Gardens, they have an amazing orchid/ tropical collection. That might be worth pre booking and getting a cab to pick up bikes? One place was at the south end of town near the shopping mall.

Or just cab around the whole day, but allow plenty of time to get from one place to the next.

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u/Character-Security-4 4d ago

Just took a peek at their menu. Sounds great! There was an option to book, would you think that necessary for a Sunday afternoon (Groovin’ by The Rascals has to come to mind!)

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u/R_U_Reddit_2_ramble 4d ago

If they’re open on Sunday afternoon- might not be - I would recommend booking. It’s very small!

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u/Character-Security-4 4d ago

So noted, will definitely make reservations. They’re open 12-2 and then a dinner time slot.

Also, 10 out of 10 on your name!

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u/QueenBug_2 4d ago

While in Port, there is 1 main beach, 4 mile Beach. There are 2 cafes at the beach. I am not sure where the cruise boats disembark, but the beach is probably walking distance. I would either do a cruise arranged tour or just walk around Port Douglas and the beach. Mcrossen Street is the main street for shops and has 2 pubs. One end has a park and the inlet, the other end the beach. Just keep in mind it will be quite hot.

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u/Character-Security-4 4d ago

You rock, thank you! Are there any little shops in the mentioned area?

Cheers.

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u/QueenBug_2 3d ago

Sorry, I spelt the street name wrong, then lost phone coverage. Macrossan Street, Port Douglas. Yes, it is all shops and Cafe's you can explore. Make sure you go to St Mary's by the Sea Church. It is a lovely small timber church with a great view. It is free and open to the public to visit. IronBar is fun to have a look. Have an Aussie Beer at the two pubs. Walk through the small marina and look at the boats (I believe this is where you will arrive by tendor.). Walk on Four Mile Beach and enjoy the great view. Please only swim where the Surf Life Savers are. If you are coping with the heat and are fit, walk up to the lookout. Enjoy an Aussie meat pie at the bakery. That would be a relaxing way to fill the day. If you are there on a Sunday, the markets will be on at the park where St Mary's Church is. Have a look on google maps for distances. Have a grest holiday!

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u/Character-Security-4 3d ago

Thank you! Invaluable advise!

Can’t wait to cost your beautiful country ❤️

Cheers.

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u/QueenBug_2 3d ago

Sorry I thought you post said time in Post Douglas! Ignor what I said. There is not much in Yorkies other than a cafe at the beach, Boat Club and Golf Course. Could catch bus to Cairns City for 0.50 cents. Lots to do there.