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Top activities and attractions in Cairns

Blessed with so much natural beauty, North Queensland is like heaven on earth for those wanting to get back to nature. If you are planning on travelling to North Queensland, the best piece of advice for any traveller is to research and plan ahead for the things you want to see. With the variety of tours, activities and attractions to see a hire car will prove invaluable.

World Heritage Daintree Rainforest is a place without description. The World Heritage listed property covers approximately 894,000 hectares. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1988 as a recognition of the amazing scenic beauty and biological importance of the region. You would be crazy to visit Cairns and not take the trip out to see it and you can even go there in your hire car.

Cape Tribulation is a world-renowned destination. It's part of the world heritage listed areas of Daintree. Here the ancient rain forests meet the glorious coral reef.

Port Douglas is where luxury meets the natural reef. From palm trees to manicured lawns, golf courses and tennis courts this destination is sure to please every holiday connoisseur. You'll find top of the range restaurants and fashionable arcades and condominiums.

Mossman Gorge is located just forty-five minutes drive out of Port Douglas. This gorgeous spot - excuse the pun - is set in some of the most beautiful rainforests in Queensland. There is a plethora of wildlife to see including, for the very fortunate, a Boyd's Rainforest Dragon.

Kuranda is a haven for wildlife and has been called the 'Village in the Rainforest'. Here you can interact with wildlife including birds, butterflies and koalas, and experience the Skyrail and Scenic Rail. There's also the opportunity to go on a horse riding trek.

If you're after a truly local experience then check out Rusty's Markets – they've been running for more than 30 years and have developed into one of the largest and successful markets in Australia. Rusty's Markets open Friday morning to Sunday afternoon and boast more than 180 stalls. Rusty's is widely known for its quality food but you'll find plenty of other gems as well.

The Cairns City Council is diligent in always organising a great program of regular free entertainment along the foreshore, catering for children and adults and including live music and even free fitness classes.

If you feel up for a drive, the Undara National Park and its lava tubes are a sight to be seen. It is believed that the lava tube cave systems are 190,000 years old and were formed when a volcano erupted. Spanning over 160 kilometres these lava tubes are worth the visit and guided tours give you the best insight into this natural wonder.