Cairns Vacation Review: Nice but Unlikely to Return

As the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is a magnet for tourists. If you’re exploring Australia, I highly recommend a stop here to enjoy a perfect blend of urban and natural experiences. However, I’m still puzzled by the overwhelming number of Japanese visitors who travel all the way here. The accommodations are somewhat outdated, the culinary scene is underwhelming, and the activities are just average. The one redeeming feature is the delightful weather.

I opted for a trip with Reef Magic, and the package that included a 10-minute helicopter ride for $1800 was the best value. It felt like I had truly experienced the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkeling was a bit restrictive, limiting how far you could venture, which made it less satisfying for fish watching.

However, the semi-submarine experience was fantastic. The lunch was mediocre, mainly due to the large crowds. In my opinion, sea excursions around the world tend to be quite similar, and without the aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns feels rather ordinary.

I also went rafting on the Tully River, which cost $1000 including transportation. The overall experience was enjoyable, but the journey to get there was quite long. The downtown area of Cairns is relatively small, yet they include distant locations for activities, which can be a bit tiring. The rafting guide was an Australian who had taught rafting in Japan, and his Japanese was impeccable.

It turns out that rafting in Japan is also well-developed and much more affordable at around $300-400, whereas prices in Australia are significantly higher.

I stayed at the Pullman hotel, and even with Accor Platinum status, they only upgraded me one level. The housekeeping staff and the egg cook at the restaurant were both Japanese, showcasing their hard work and dedication. The most surprising find at the hotel restaurant was the lobster, priced at just $55, and using the $100 USD credit from the stay made it even more worthwhile.

On a rainy day with no plans, we decided to visit the zoo near the pier to hold a koala. For $37, including a photo, the actual holding time was only about three seconds, but it was undeniably adorable.

When it comes to dining, Cairns is quite disappointing. The standout dish was the $18 spicy rice noodles. A search for local cuisine mostly yields Thai, Vietnamese, and crepe options, which is a letdown. With the exchange rate between the Australian dollar and the Japanese yen being roughly 1:100, the cost of living feels similar to Japan, but the quality often seems subpar. And that popular gelato? It was also a letdown, not even close to what you’d find in Europe.

Before my visit, I imagined Cairns as a vibrant seaside city with plenty of shopping malls, perhaps even a DFS. Instead, it resembles an old, run-down small town. By 10 PM, the streets are nearly empty, and most shops are closed. I still can’t fathom why the Japanese have such a fondness for Cairns.