Cairns

Cairns is a regional city in the far north of Queensland, Australia.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest living organism. Tour operators offer half day trips to cruise to the inner reef and/or snorkel.

Cairns Esplanade offers amongst other things, the Harbour Walk boardwalk, fitness circuit, a craft market, restaurants, bars and live entertainment.

Cairns Regional Art Gallery showcases work from Australian artists, including Aboriginals, as well as international exhibits.

Cairns Tropical Zoo is about 25 minutes drive from the cruise terminal. You can feed a kangaroo or lemur, cuddle a koala and take pictures of crocodiles, a boa constrictor, wombats, dingoes, red pandas and lizards.

Daintree Rainforest is about two hour's drive north of Cairns. Much of the rainforest is part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jellyfish are a problem and crocodiles hang around muddy areas such as the tidal coastline at Cairns so it's best not to swim in the sea. Instead, the man-made Esplanade Lagoon, about 10 minutes from Trinity Wharf along the Esplanade is big, safe and full of saltwater, with a beach, lifeguards, a snack bar and toilets.

There is a variety of choice on menus ranging from seafood, steaks, crocodile and kangaroo, to Italian and Mediterranean options.

Cruise ships dock at Trinity Wharf, built in 2010. The terminal has an information booth.

Shops, ATM's, coffee shops, an Internet cafe, restaurants and a casino are all within a 10 minute walk away.