Cairns, QL

If you are planning an Australia holiday to Cairns for sightseeing, then you will be disappointed. A Cairns holiday in Australia does not offer many monuments to see, either natural or artificial. With its close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, Australia holidays in Cairns are a magnet for those who want to enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, rainforest walks,  reef cruises, fishing, outback "bush" adventures, native bird and wildlife watching and adventure activities. Today, a myriad of tropical plants and trees, parks and gardens blend with the people who walk among the towns varying architecture to get to their next destination. In fact, one of the most convenient elements to Cairns is how close and accessible everything is. There are plenty of shopping opportunities in Cairns city shops, duty free stores and markets as well as large shopping centres in the suburbs nearby.

You will have to get used to the crowds during your Australia holiday in Cairns. To escape the rush you can head to the Esplanade for a barbeque or picnic.  Over here you can relax under a shady tree or walk along the grass as you watch the mudflats where you might spot a variety of migratory waders at any time of the year. Excellent swimming beaches can be found just north of the city.

During Australia's winter months, tourists flock to Cairns like migratory birds in mating season and the city is positively booming. Peak season is from June to October when temperatures are comfortably hot and rainfall is minimal. Cairns and tropical north Queensland have just two seasons: wet and dry. The monsoon season hits during the austral summer, between December and March, and the dry season comes during the winter, from June to August.

Winter

Winter is peak season for good reason: Aside from high prices and big crowds, it allows for better access to some of the more remote wilderness areas, which can get rained out during the monsoons. The mild weather stays tropical and comfortable, though nights sometimes prove a little chilly.

Summer

Summer is another story: It gets hot, muggy, buggy, and wet. On the plus side, the abundant precipitation is a boon for white-water rafting on swollen rivers; surrounding rainforests become especially lush and green; and wildlife comes out in force. The influx of box jellyfish, called “stingers,” along Cairns’s near shore waters are a negative during winter. But you don’t necessarily need to stay out of the water: A wetsuit can provide protection against the tentacles, and most popular beaches have stinger nets in place to keep the potentially deadly pests away from swimmers.

Autumn

In April and May, the weather can still be hot and muggy, and there’s often a chance of rain showers. But traveling during the shoulder season can offer a reasonable compromise between the crowds of winter and the extreme weather of summertime.