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Activities to Do in Cairns in Queensland Australia
- See the Boats on Chinaman Creek
- Cruise to Green Island
- Skyrail through the rainforest
- Kuranda Train ride
- Butterfly Sanctuary
- Great Barrier Reef
See the Boats in Cairns on Chinaman Creek
Sail into Cairns, Australia, on Chinaman Creek. It's the ideal location for the photography of boats.
Cairns is situated in far North Queensland on the east coast of Australia.
The Cruise
I traveled on a cruise that departed from Brisbane, Queensland which sailed and stopped overnight at Cairns and Airlie Beach.
From there, you can catch a boat out to the Great Barrier Reef. And, you can snorkel around the reef to see the coral, fish, and sea creatures.
As we sailed into Cairns, the boats were docked at the Marina.
Then, the cruise liner docked at the cruise terminal in Cairns.
On the other side of the ship is the view of Trinity Forest Reserve.
We could view all the boats docked along the shoreline.
Off the Coast
Off the coast near Cairns are Green Island and Fitzroy Island.
And, off the coast of Airlie Beach is Daydream Island.
Cairns
Whilst we were docked at the terminal in Cairns, there was low cloud cover. And, Cairns was very hot and humid.
Up in Australia's Wet Tropics, you can take a ride in the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway through the tropical rainforest between Smithfield in Cairns to Kuranda.
I got off partway and walk to the Edge Lookout and see Barron Falls. Then, I climbed back on to finish the ride to Kuranda.
At Kuranda Village, I bought some lunch at one of the cafes. Visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.
Then, catch a train, the Kuranda Scenic Railway, back down again.

1 Boat at the Marina
The boats sit at the marina. In the background stands Mt. Whitfield.

2 Docked I
The boats are docked at the marina. You can enjoy a day out by the reefs and snorkel.

3 Docked II
In Docked II, it has alternative colors of the sky.

4 Gliding along the river
The boats travel up and down the river. They take tourists to Green Island and Fitzroy Island. Where they can spend the day on the islands viewing the reef and the sandy beaches. The waters around Green Island are green.

5 Floating Boats
You can see the view of the boats with the Trinity Forest Reserve in the background. The view is from the cruise terminal.
Photography by me. Artwork created by me. Jennifer Empey
Cairns Activities
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Queensland Travels
Green Island Daytrip from Cairns
on a Day Trip to Green Island from CairnsYou can take a day trip to Green Island from Cairns Queensland. Green Island is a coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef. See the vibrant green of the water near the Island. Go on a glass-bottomed boat. And you can...
Daydream Island Must-Do Activities
Daydream Island What to Do Can You Do a Day Trip to Daydream Island? Yes, you can go for the day. Daydream Island Day Trip You can tour for a day on the island. I did this on a daycation from a cruise ship docked off Airlie Beach in Queensland Australia....
Great Keppel Island Resort Holiday
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn compensation when you make purchases, at no extra cost to you. Walked barefoot on the white squeaky sand on Great Keppel Island.Swam in the warm water. Snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef. Played in the boom nets off the...
Cruises to the Great Barrier Reef and the Islands from Cairns
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Cairns in the far north of Queensland
What things would you like to do in Cairns?
Have you been to the Great Barrier Reef?
See the boats, would you take a boat or fly from Cairns to see the Great Barrier Reef?
Are you an adventurous type?
Which activities are you interested in Cairns?
You can go to Green Island for a day trip.
From Airlie Beach which is lower down the coast of Northern Queensland than Cairns, you can visit Daydream Island.
You are a gifted soul Jennifer. Beautiful work! Absolutely loved them. Following you to stay in touch.
Thank you Manisha
Beautiful photography! I’d love to visit Australia someday!
Thank you Cindy. Hope you do.
This is so beautiful!
Thank you Beatriz
Gorgeous work!! My favorite is the floating boats!
Thank you LIsa. Thanks, I appreciate knowing which is your fav
These are beautiful!! Great job.
Thank you TM
Really cool photos! Sounds awesome!
Thank you Michele
Australia is on my bucket list… now I REALLY want to go. Your pictures are gorgeous. I liked how the boats in the Docked photos seem to have a Pearl quality about them. Great Job!
Thank you Susan. Hope you get here one day
Amazing pictures! I love the Docked ones. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Shirley, I appreciate knowing which one you love.
These are gorgeous! For a minute I thought the last ones were paintings, you have some great editing skills there- thanks for sharing!
Thank you Robin. You’re welcome.
Wow, gorgeous pictures! I am a big fan of the one with the red sky and yellow boat.
Thank you Tara. Thanks, I appreciate knowing which one you like.
What beautiful photography! You do amazing work!
Thank you Trisha
I love your photos of the boats! Beautiful! I’d love to see Australia one day. This makes me want to go even more.
Thank you Stacey. Hope you get to visit one day.
Wow! Those are all gorgeous but Floating Boats is my favorite!
Thank you Katherine. Thanks I appreciate knowing which one is your favorite.
Those are beautiful pictures!
Thank you Melissa
What neat photography and editing! Love 3 Docked II
Thank you Christina. Thanks for your the one you love, I appreciate knowing.
The colors are amazing! My fave is the last one. I love the blues.
Thank you Tricia. Thanks for sharing, I appreciate knowing your fave.
Such beautiful pictures. The artist is really talented.
Thank you Vanessa
Love the 2 Dock and the Gliding Along The River. Beautiful!
Thank you Suzan. Thanks for sharing which ones you like, I appreciate knowing.
Wow these pictures are beautiful! So colorful and attractive. I love this! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Charlene. You’re welcome.
Gorgeous photos!
Thank you Amy
These are fascinating. I’m going to look more into how you create the effects. I like both “Docked II” because it’s so Turneresque, and “Floating Boats” because I love the near-symmetry of the sky and water. And I just love blue.
Thank you Beth. Thanks for sharing your comments. Love Turner. I went to a Monet exhibition last year and was surprised as it some Turner artwork, too.
Such beautiful photos! I love the colors. My favorite is Docked 3.
Thank you Heather. Thanks for sharing, I like knowing which is your favorite.
I would love to see the boats in cairns! That sounds magical.
Thank you Lisa. That’ll be cool.
Interesting technique, I like #5
Thank you Maria. Thanks for sharing, I like knowing which one you like.
Beautiful pictures! I always love to see art from around the world!
Thank you Holly
I love the colors in 3 docked II! That sky is beautiful!
Thank you Malia. Thanks for sharing, I like knowing which one you love.
The photos are amazing! I now want to take a cruise off the coast of Australia.
Thank you Lora. That’ll be cool.
They are all so beautiful, but I think my favorite is the 4th one. Gliding along the river.
Thank you Tonya. Thanks for sharing which one is your favorite, I appreciate knowing.
Those pictures are beautiful and very cool!
Thank you Sydney
The colors in the Boats in Marina is gorgeous
Thank you Angela
Cool pictures! Love the gliding down the river one. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Robin. Thanks for sharing which one you like. I find it interesting to know.