Nightlife in Cairns
Cairns Nightlife
The tropical gem of Cairns is brimming with experiences for everyone, whether you're an adventurer who loves the sea or a wildlife enthusiast. And it continues well after dusk, when Cairns' nightlife comes to life, with several things to do in Cairns at night, with friends and family. You can find chic rooftop bars and cutting-edge waterfront eateries, stunning Indigenous experiences, and ways to interact with the environment and wildlife after dark if you look past the buzzing backpacker hangouts.Some of the best Cairns night activities to do include visiting the famous Cairns Night Markets, wherein you can shop your heart out from the many local stalls selling several handicrafts. Further, you can indulge in the Cairns sunset cruise, and take in the beautiful views of the skyline. Some more exciting things to do at night in Cairns is to go for a night time wildlife spotting tour and indulge in the Great Barrier Reef Night Dive, which are fun for both kids and adults alike. With a lot of attractions, there is no dearth of what to do in Cairns at night, when visiting with friends and family.
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What are the best activities to do in Cairns at night?
1. Visit Cairns Night Markets:
- One of the best things to Do in Cairns at night is to visit The Cairns Night Markets, an open-air night market that draws inspiration from markets in South East Asia and Hawaii.
- Shop from more than 131 stalls providing textiles, artwork, everyday necessities, handicrafts, and a variety of other products to find some of the greatest locally manufactured products.
- Do not miss out on the numerous tiny eateries and shops that offer scrumptious appetizers.
- When looking for what to do in Cairns at night, this fully air-conditioned market is the ideal location to unwind with your loved ones.
Location: 54-60 Abbott St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
Timings: Open everyday from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm
2. Cairns Sunset Cruise:
- Enjoy a tranquil Cairns River Cruise while seeing the city skyline and the gorgeous Trinity Inlet at dusk.
- When you reserve a space on this 90-minute sunset sightseeing tour, you'll get a free beer, wine, or soft drink as well as a little snack while the captain cruises along the quiet waterways.
-Start your evening in the tropics by taking in the sights and sounds of the animals as they make their way inside for the night.
- The ideal way to start a pleasant night out in the tropics is with this sunset tour, which is one of the best cairns night activities, with friends and family.
- After the Cairns sunset tour, get going and enjoy supper at one of the many great restaurants in Cairns.
Location: Cairns River Cruise -Marlin Wharf, A1/1, Spence Street, Cairns City, QLD 4870
Timings: Tour departs at 5:15 pm in the evening.
Charges: 105 USD approximately
3. Tjapukai By Night:
- Witness a series of unique and evocative performances handed down by generations of elders bringing one of the oldest living cultures to life.
- Enjoy an evening of breathtaking entertainment as Aboriginal performers transport you to a fantastical world of Australian Dreamtime mythology.
- You won't want to miss Tjapukai by Night, which features a Quinkan spirit performance, a traditional fire-making ceremony with a stunning 40-foot fireball, and a sumptuous international feast.
Location: Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Cairns Western Arterial Road, Caravonica, Queensland 4870 Australia
Timings: Monday to Sunday; 6:45 pm to 9:30 pm
Charges: 130 USD approximately
4. Night Time Wildlife Spotting Tour:
- On a nocturnal tour at Wildlife Habitat, catch a unique insight into some of Australia's native wildlife's behavior at night.
- You and a small group will spend two hours exploring and focusing on the park's inhabitants under the guidance of a wildlife keeper.
- At dusk, you'll have the opportunity to observe wallabies and kangaroos feeding, as well as gliders and striped possums making their way outside to find food.
- If you're lucky, you might even see a sooty owl with big eyes!
Location: Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas, Douglas Area, Queensland, 4877
Timings: Departs: 2:00 pm Daily
Returns: 10:30 pm Daily
Charges: Recommended to check online
5. Great Barrier Reef Night Dive:
- Even while experienced divers are aware of the stunning reef systems that surround Cairns, booking a night dive will allow you to explore a completely different world below the surface.
- Meet the Great Barrier Reef's night-only residents, such as reef sharks and slipper lobsters.
- The greatest time to see coral spawning is between October and December, when divers have the highest chance of seeing it.
- Take the many tours available and indulge in one of the best things to do in Cairns at night, with your friends and family.
Location: Divers Den Headquarters, 319 Draper Street, Parramatta Park, Cairns, QLD 4870
Timings: Timings are subject to the tour booked; hence it is recommended to check online.
Charges: 220 USD approximately
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Which are the best bars and clubs in Cairns?
1. Gilligan's: Among the most fun things to do at night in Cairns is to hop by the Gilligan’s club, which is one of the favorites amongst both locals and tourists. Gilligan's, dubbed the "ideal backpacker venue," offers inexpensive lodging, inexpensive meals, and not one, but two nightclubs on the premises, making it the perfect place to stay, play, and party in style. In addition, Gilligan's hosts a number of themed gatherings and shows, such as the annual Sinners Ball and live music.
2. The Attic Lounge Bar: If you’re looking for unique cairns night activities, head upstairs to The Attic. This bar, which is open to the public on Friday and Saturday nights, features premium pour spirits, a VIP bottle service, delectable cocktails, and world-class DJs spinning records.
Looking for the ideal location for your upcoming event? Every day of the week, reservations and private events are accepted at The Attic.
3. The Woolshed: One of the best things to do in Cairns at night, is visiting The Woolshed, widely considered as Cairns' original party location. Leave your dignity at the door and prepare to let your hair down to the fullest as the music pumps and the energy leaps above The Cotton Club. You know you're "out out" when you enter The Woolshed since there are wet t-shirt competitions and resident DJs there.
4. The Cotton Club: The Cotton Club is a chic cocktail lounge where you may enjoy a late snack before dancing into the wee hours of the morning while holding a glass of something sweet. While exploring the selection of exotic drinks, be sure to sample The Cotton Club's specialty cocktails. It's simple to understand why the Hendricks Iced Tea is the bar's greatest seller. It's made with a blend of Hendricks Gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar, and topped with the extremely popular handmade Aloe Vera flavoring foam.
5. P.J. O'Brien's: The Irish Pub: If wondering what to do in Cairns at night, visit this unique and vibrant Irish pub, P.J. O'Brien's, which brings a touch of Irish charm to the Tropics, fully captures the definition of a "traditional Irish pub": think wooden beams, mahogany furniture, bric-a-brac decorating the walls, and vintage upholstery that wouldn't seem out of place at your great-house. grandmother's There is never a dull night at P.J. O'Brien's thanks to everything from quiz nights and prizes to karaoke and dancing competitions.
6. The Pier Bar: The Pier Bar is a fantastic place to start your night out, if looking for what to do in Cairns at night, because it is somewhat of an institution in Cairns. Grab a drink and a table on the terrace before the throng arrives so you can take in the stunning sea views while you're still sober enough to do so.
7. Salt House: Salt House is the perfect location for leisurely things to do in Cairns at night, with friends and family. Spend time sipping wine and taking in the marina front views that span the mountain and ocean. It is glamorous, laid-back, and fashionable. Set up shop on a daybed near some bubbling ponds and fire pits, order enough small meals to last you the night, and relax for a tranquil start to the evening.
8. Rattle ‘n Hum: Rattle 'n Hum is the ideal place to ease into your evening with a wonderful wood-fired pizza and happy hour jug of beer because of its fantastic position on the Cairns Esplanade. On the deck outside or inside, take in the laid-back, welcoming atmosphere of an Australian pub. Immerse yourself in some of the best cairns night activities, when visiting here.
9. Ultimate Party Bus: Among the most exciting cairns night activities, is partying at the Ultimate Party Bus. This massive six-hour double-decker pub crawl, which takes place every Friday and Saturday, stops at five of Cairns' top bars and clubs. Buckle your seatbelts because you're in for a wild night when you're in the care of the party-loving locals. The free drink at each place, VIP treatment, and party games will all add to the epic-ness of your night.
10.The Jack: The Jack is the place to go if beginning your evening with a dose of live sport seems appealing. You won't miss a second of the action thanks to a staggering five giant projector screens, 10 enormous flat screens, and three bars. Every month, top touring musicians grace the stage at The Jack, which also features a variety of top comedy acts, DJs, and live music performances.
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Which are the best places to visit in Cairns at night?
1. Cairns Aquarium: One of the best cairns night activities to do is to visit the Cairns Aquarium. This is the only aquarium in the world that solely exhibits marine life from the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest—both of which are listed on the World Heritage list. Take your group on a twilight trip to experience marine magic in a brand-new way.
2. Flames of the Forest: Flames of the Forest is a heartwarming rainforest dining experience that is tucked away deep into the historic Daintree. Discover a realm hidden from everyday life and brimming with myths: Flames of the Forest imagines you having dinner by candlelight and under the stars. Enjoy a six-course tropical tasting meal while listening to live acoustic music, seeing a didgeridoo performance, and hearing Indigenous tribes from the area recount stories.
3. Cairns Night Markets: If you haven't gone through the Cairns Night Markets, looked through the gift shops, and stopped for a cheap massage, then your trip to Cairns isn't complete. In fact, it will be difficult to distinguish between tourists and residents because the latter enjoy night market massages.
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How to reach Cairns?
1. By Air: International travelers have access to numerous direct flights to destinations like Singapore through Darwin, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Guam, and Papua New Guinea. In terms of international travelers, Cairns Airport is Australia's sixth busiest airport.
2. By Train: The Sunlander runs back from Brisbane to Cairns three times per week, providing passengers with a pleasant and beautiful opportunity to see Queensland's inland coast.
3. By Boat: Offering some of the most seasoned, high-quality repair facilities for superyachts in the southern hemisphere, Cairns Seaport offers vast and experienced ship building and repair services.
4. By Road: If the facilities are available, you could rent a car from another location and return it to the same company when you get to Cairns.
5. By Coach: An effective and enjoyable way to visit the countryside is by coach. Major coach operators run expedited trips between major Australian cities and Cairns in luxurious, air-conditioned cars.
How many days are enough to visit Cairns?
To see all of Cairns' top attractions, three days are more than enough time. Visit Cape Tribulation, the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, and other locations. However, you'll need to extend your trip if you really want to take in this magical city's beauty.
