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Family-friendly Attractions
Popular Family-friendly Attractions in Cairns [2025]
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Sunlover Reef Cruises
4.5
/5
113 reviews
7.2
From DKK 1066.95
Based on 1,066 reviews
Cairns City | 1 km from downtown
Phone +61740501333
Address: Reef Fleet Terminal (Bottom floor, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
Recommended sightseeing time: 6–8 hours
Saved by 118 users77% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I felt a little dizzy on the way there, but didn't throw up. I wasn't dizzy at all on the way back. The onboard service was excellent, and the free lunch was delicious, plentiful, and wholesome. There were plenty of activities to see, and they were all very nice. After disembarking, the entire crew came down to see us off, which was very touching. What an excellent team! A thoughtful trip.
If you come to Australia and haven't been to the Great Barrier Reef🪸, then you've really come in vain! This time, because it's a family trip, we chose the Great Barrier Reef Sunlover. Among the many routes, this route has high cost-effectiveness and Chinese service advantages (many Chinese staff on the ship are mostly Taiwanese compatriots, and they speak friendly and soft), suitable for tourists with the elderly and children who seek diverse experiences. If you need to challenge more professional shipwreck diving🤿, you can choose other routes.
In terms of scenery, the sea water is still clear and you can see the bottom. If you snorkel, I personally feel that the fish you see are not as many as in Cebu, but there are still many varieties of corals. After all, it is a feature here. If you fly by helicopter, it's not bad to experience different angles, but you can't see the heart-shaped island from here🏝️, you have to fly from a farther pier, so be mentally prepared!
🎫 Tickets:
Tickets usually include 🚢 a return trip (starting from about 256 Australian dollars), which can also be upgraded to a return trip or a return trip (including helicopter sightseeing, starting from 587 Australian dollars, suitable for those who are seasick and have money), and there are also return trips + 10 minutes of helicopter 🚁 experience (this route is relatively more cost-effective). Tickets are available on various platforms. It is recommended to book 1-2 weeks in advance. We booked too late at that time, so we had to book the return trip tickets first. There will be some extra helicopter reservations on the ship, which are about 199 Australian dollars per person. (The staff will give you "spotting" according to the number of people and the reservations. I was lucky enough to be arranged to the co-pilot's seat this time, with a great view 👍)
🚢 Facilities and activities on board:
1️⃣ Free items: snorkeling equipment (including life jackets), glass-bottomed boat (20 minutes), semi-submersible (2 meters underwater cruise), sea slide (8 meters high), children's pool, fish feeding show, buffet lunch (seafood🐟, hot dishes🥩, fruits🍉, staple food🍝, etc., can be refilled if consumed in moderation, generally, it is enough for those who are not big eaters).
2️⃣ Paid items: 🚁 Helicopter sightseeing (10 minutes 199 Australian dollars), 🤿 Scuba diving (179 Australian dollars), 🐠 Undersea walking (165 Australian dollars), cold-proof diving suit rental (10 Australian dollars).
3️⃣ Other facilities: fresh water shower🚿 (but not bathing), Chinese service💁, drinking water🚰 (tap water, Australian tap water is originally drinkable). There are also lounge chairs and lazy sofas🛋️ on the second floor, but it is too sunny, and those who like tanning and sunbathing can experience it!
⚠️ Tips:
⚓️ You need to board the ship 1 hour in advance (8:45-9:45 to exchange tickets), and then queue up to wait for boarding. After the ship reaches the middle of the sea, the platform activities are about 4 hours, and the return trip usually arrives at the port around 17:30.
😷 It is recommended that seasick people take medicine, which can be purchased on the ship; environmentally friendly products are required for sun protection. It is recommended to buy local Australian brands directly, which are not expensive and easy to use. It is still necessary to protect against ultraviolet rays; avoid high-altitude flying within 12 hours after diving, so do not arrange a return flight✈️ on the same day.
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Cairns Aquarium
4.5
/5
195 reviews
6.2
From DKK 217.26
Based on 2,291 reviews
Cairns City | 381m from downtown
Phone +61740447300
Address: 5 Florence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
71 realistic habitats & experiences
Explore 15,000 Great Barrier Reef species
Saved by 163 users160 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
If you have enough time, you can take your children to the aquarium. If you are going there on purpose, it is not necessary. You should also spend time in the classic places such as the Great Barrier Reef and Kuranda. Overall, it is comfortable and leisurely, and children like it.
Cairns is a good place for leisure travel. The environment is comfortable and you can relax and feel the splendor of tropical rainforests and marine life. The interior space planning and design are quite interesting. Comfortable seats are set up everywhere for tourists to sit down and rest at any time. It is suitable for all ages. The biggest feeling is that it makes people feel very comfortable. The restaurant in the aquarium is also worth a try, there will be a little surprise.
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Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
4.5
/5
53 reviews
4.4
Based on 3,740 reviews
Cairns City | 786m from downtown
Phone +611300692247
Address: 52/54 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
39% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Before coming to Cairns, I had always wanted to take advantage of the tropical 🏝️ characteristics here and rent a cost-effective hotel or B&B with a swimming pool. In fact, after I came here, I found that there was a free public large swimming pool here. It is really a treasure place!
This is in the center of Cairns, adjacent to the seaside. Not far away is the helicopter 🚁 helipad, behind is the Cairns Night Market, and there is a supermarket across the road. It is not far from the cruise terminal ⛵️. It is within walking distance of the Cairns Art Gallery 🎨 and the Aquarium 🐟. Generally, you can arrange to visit the above two indoor venues during the day and go to this lagoon swimming pool 🏊 in the evening. Although it is free, the water quality is still good. It is equipped with professional lifeguards and clean shower 🚿 changing rooms and toilets. There are also some areas for BBQ 🍖 on the side. Even if you live in a hotel or B&B in the city center that does not include a swimming pool and a yard, you can completely treat it as a back garden and stroll around. At night, go to the night market and have a feast. This life is absolutely wonderful!
Tips: For those who are short on time, I recommend staying in a hotel or B&B in the city center. The package is here! Generally, the trips to SkyRail, Kuranda and Palm Bay are a bit farther, so it is recommended to sign up for a day trip for convenience!
It’s a really lovely walk along the esplanade & the promenade - lots of beautiful views and wildlife.
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