New experiences for Cairns tourists this Easter break
With Easter just a week away, along with the start of the school holidays and (slightly) cooler weather, there's never been a better time to get out and explore the Tropical North.
Tropic's put together a guide on what's new, what's reopened, and what we think is worth seeing this Easter break – whether you're local or visiting.
Undara Experience
Though it’s within a few hours drive from Cairns, you’ll find a wildly different landscape at Undara Volcanic National Park.
Home to the oldest standing lava tubes on Earth, Undara Experience at Mt Pleasant has reopened this week after a multi-million dollar renovation.
Visit now while Undara’s savannah plains are still lush, green and teeming with wildlife after the wet season.
GO THERE: Undara Rd, Mt Surprise
Tully River Rafting
Raging Thunder Adventures is reopening its Tully River White Water Rafting experinece tomorrow after a 12-month break – and the water's looking wild after an epic wet season.
Ranked within the world’s best five rafting rivers and home to international rafting competitions, a ride down the Tully is one of the best adrenaline shots for both local and visiting thrill-seekers.
Transfers from Cairns and Mission Beach are also available.
MORE: ragingthunder.com.au
Heritage Lodge in the Daintree
Just over two hours north of Cairns, Heritage Lodge in the Daintree – nestled among two spectacular World Heritage-listed areas – has recently reopened.
You can choose to stay in one of the the lodge's 20 secluded cabins, complete with winding rainforest walks and bird, butterfly and bandicoot spotting, or drop in for lunch at the lodge’s open-air restaurant.
Both overnighters and day trippers are welcome to take a dip in the sparkling Cooper Creek too.
GO THERE: 236 Turpentine Rd, Diwan
Mossman Gorge Dreamtime Walks
One of Mossman’s best experiences is reopening on April 1 after its COVID hiatus.
Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks, led by local Indigenous guides, takes visitors on a 90-minute meander through Mossman Gorge and its most culturally-significant sites.
Learn about traditional plant use, learn to make bush soaps, and try your hand at ochre painting. The tour even ends with traditional bush tea and damper!
GO THERE: 212 Mossman Gorge Rd, Mossman Gorge
Cairns Brewery Tours
A jaunt to some of Cairns’ best craft breweries and distilleries should be at the top of every visitor’s list – but locals may learn something too with the new Cairns Brewery Tours.
Starting at the Pier Bar for a pub lunch before dropping into three breweries and a distillery, you’ll get to meet the brains behind our brilliant brews and make new mates in the process.
GO THERE: 97 Anderson St, Manunda
Kur-Cow Barnwell Farm
Kur-Cow Barnwell near Kuranda – known for hosting horse riding and quadbike tours through its picturesque Tablelands property – has opened for camping with sites for caravans as well.
The pet-friendly property has bathrooms and a kitchen for guests to use, but we reckon the barbequed Wagyu beef served on Kur-Cow's sunset deck looks pretty hard to turn down.
GO THERE: 112 Barnwell Rd, Kuranda
Talaroo Hot Springs
The Talaroo Hot Springs are a geological wonder dating back 65 million years, home to flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world.
A living landscape for the Ewamian Traditional Owners, you'll find unique formations, extraordinary wildlife and brilliant colours at Talaroo, located in the heart of Queensland's Gulf Savannah.
About a four and half hours' drive from Cairns, Talaroo Hot Springs will open in May. Guests can camp overnight, as well as tour the springs at sunrise or in the afternoon.
GO THERE: National Route 1 Einasleigh River, Einasleigh
Are you a local operator that's recently started or reopened a tourism experience? Or know of someone that has? Let us know on Facebook here.
