Skirting the Coral Sea, hemmed by rainforest older than the Amazon, family-friendly holidays in Cairns are anything but tame.

These holidays mean boarding a century-old train through waterfalls, zip lining past crocodiles, and snorkelling above coral systems teeming with life just 40 minutes from your hotel. It has an ecosystem so rich that one square kilometre of rainforest can hold more tree species than all of Europe combined.

That spectacular, high-stakes natural drama makes Cairns an amazing place to holiday with kids, guaranteed to short circuit any Wi-Fi addiction with natural wonder.

Here's how to trade pixels for paradise in this UNESCO World Heritage marvel, with all the best family things to do in Cairns for every age. 

Despite its resort-town reputation, some of Cairns’ best family memories are completely free. The best being the famous Cairns Esplanade Lagoon.

This 4,800-square-metre, salt-water oasis is 100% croc, shark, jellyfish and admission free. The genius lies in its simple design: it’s massive, guarded by a sandy fringe for the little ones, and fully supervised by lifeguards 365 days a year.

You’ll find locals and tourists alike spread out on the grass, cooking at the free BBQ facilities while the kids burn off tropical-level energy.

Just a short skip down the same stretch of prime real estate is Muddy’s Playground: a sprawling, multi-million-dollar urban theme park for children.

With water features, climbing frames, a flying fox, and separate areas for toddlers and older kids, it’s a place you can confidently leave the kids to run wild for a few hours while sipping a takeaway coffee from the adjacent Cairns café. 

No family trip to Cairns is complete without a visit to the Great Barrier Reef, the UNESCO natural wonder that put this tropical city on the map. Families can sail out on a reef pontoon from Cairns or nearby Port Douglas, where even young snorkellers can drift above coral gardens teeming with clownfish, parrotfish, sea turtles, and glittering blue tangs.

Many operators cater to families with guided snorkel tours, semi-submersible boats, and underwater observatories that let kids see the marine world without getting wet. For a gentler intro to the reef, Green Island or Fitzroy Island make for ideal day trips from Cairns, combining forest walks, beach time, and protected reef lagoons perfect for beginners.

A stunning drive 40 minutes north of Cairns, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is one of the country’s best-regarded wildlife parks, famed for its conservation focus and terrifyingly up-close lagoon cruise. The park is engineered for total immersion, where you glide across a pristine lagoon where colossal salties launch themselves out of the water, snapping at their feed.

Beyond the thrills, Hartley's offers boardwalks through the melaleuca wetlands, letting you peacefully observe kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and, if you're lucky, the elusive, prehistoric-looking cassowary. Which may look like a Muppet but is actually considered the world's most dangerous bird.

Then there's Kuranda, the ‘Village in the Rainforest’ where the beautiful scenic railway is just part of the adventure. It’s an antique railway line built over a century ago, carving a path through the Barron Gorge National Park, navigating 15 hand-dug tunnels, and offering jaw-dropping views of Stoney Creek and Barron Falls. Once in Kuranda, the village offers a Butterfly Sanctuary, markets, and Birdworld to choose from. 

For the return trip, you can go full science fiction with the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and glide silently for 7.5km above the treetops of a 165-million-year-old rainforest. There are two stops along the way at Red Peak and Barron Falls where you can hop off for a ranger-guided boardwalk tour.  For those truly adventurous kids (and brave parents), upgrade to a Diamond View gondola, which has a glass floor, offering a spectacular view of the world's oldest rainforest.

When the sky opens up, or the kids just need a guaranteed burst of air-conditioning, head over to the Cairns Aquarium. It's hyper-local and focused entirely on the unique ecosystems of Tropical North Queensland.

The walkthrough exhibits are spectacular, featuring 71 habitats and around 16,000 animals. Kids love the immersive danger zones, where you can safely eyeball the venomous marine life, and the massive Deep Reef Tank, where sharks and rays cruise past panoramic windows.

Another fantastic indoor option is the Cairns Art Gallery. Just a short stroll from the Esplanade, this airy, heritage-listed building creates a welcoming space for kids, often running school holiday workshops and creative activities that invite them to paint, draw, and explore art hands-on.

For high-energy little ones, Defy Gravity Cairns is another top-notch option. It combines bouldering walls, trampolines, and a full ninja course under one roof. 

The true way to wash off Cairns' tropical sweat is in a cool, rushing mountain creek. If you want to sample the authentic Far North Queensland lifestyle head to Crystal Cascades,  just 20 minutes outside the city near the suburb of Redlynch. This is where the locals go, and it is glorious.

It’s a series of cascading waterfalls and smooth, deep rock pools surrounded by lush rainforest. The water is crisp, clear, and perfectly refreshing. There are designated swimming areas, BBQ facilities, and paved walkways, making it easy to access for all ages.

A short, unmarked 15-minute bush-walk away from the main car park lies Fairy Falls. It’s much quieter, less developed, and consists of a series of intimate, deep blue waterholes. It feels like stepping into a hidden grotto. Just remember these are natural sites so always be vigilant and check for warning signs.

The tropical air starts to cool, the humidity drops, and the Cairns Esplanade truly comes alive. Along the Esplanade, the Cairns Regional Council runs a fantastic calendar of free outdoor fitness classes, often including fun, family-friendly options like Zumba or yoga that are great for burning off the last of the day's energy.

For a casual, local flavour feast, head to the Marlin Marina and seek out the Prawn Star trawlers. Eating impossibly fresh, wild-caught prawns and seafood straight off a converted fishing boat is an authentically casual Cairns experience that kids will love for its sheer novelty.

Finish the evening at the Cairns Night Markets. They are loud, bright, air-conditioned, and full of every kind of souvenir, quirky gift, and inexpensive treat imaginable. From massages to tropical ice cream, buskers to face painters - it’s a sensory overload that keeps younger kids entertained right up until bedtime.

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort combines tropical luxury with thoughtful family-friendly amenities and a prime location. The resort’s standout feature is its stunning lagoon-style pool complete with a sandy beach entry and Cairns' only swim-up pool bar, offering a perfect blend of relaxation and fun for both parents and kids.

Families can choose from a range of spacious accommodation, including interconnecting rooms and the expansive Family Suite, which offers separate living areas, a spa bath, and plenty of space for kids to play or rest comfortably.

The resort’s VIK (Very Important Kids) program adds significant value by providing engaging holiday and weekend activities designed specifically for children up to age 12, ensuring that young guests are entertained and cared for throughout their stay.

Located just steps away from key attractions like the Cairns Aquarium and the Esplanade, families have easy access to exploring Cairns while returning to a peaceful oasis. The complimentary breakfast offer for children under 15 dining with adults, free Wi-Fi, a fully equipped gym for adults, and kid-friendly menus make your stay comfortable and convenient.