Is it raining on your parade during your trip to Cairns or are you a local looking for the best way to keep the kids, yourself and your friends entertained on our tropical rainy days? Look no further but this collection of fun wet weather rainy days activities you can enjoy in Cairns.
1. The Cairns Aquarium
The wet weather can sometimes impact your planned trip to the Great Barrier Reef, but don’t fear! If a rainy day in Cairns is stopping you from experiencing this incredible world wonder, you can still see the creatures of the reef and keep your hair dry at the Cairns Aquarium! it’s open every day and found in Cairns City.
2. Shopping and Cinema! It’s a classic Cairns wet weather activity for a reason
It’s a classic wet weather activity for a reason, but the shopping centres here are a perfect place to spend a rainy day in Cairns. There are a number of undercover and indoor shopping centres dotted about the town, and if you visit Cairns Central in the City, Stocklands in Earlville or Smithfield Shopping Centre in Smithfield, you can also combine your shopping trip with an afternoon at the movies – the perfect way to spend a wet weather Cairns day.
3. Foodies rejoice, Cairns wet weather doesn’t impact our delicious dining.
You don’t need dry weather to enjoy good food in Cairns. Restaurants and cafes are dotted about Cairns, but can be found condensed in Cairns City and along the Cairns Esplanade. There are all sorts of cuisines for all sorts of tastes, so whether you desire something a bit fancy like the food served by the Crystalbrook Collection, a rainy day brunch (Acai anyone? Suggested read: Where to find the best acai in Cairns), a pub meal or more, you’ll find it in Cairns.
4. The ultimate Cairns wet weather activity: Barron Falls in flood!
Locals know, as soon as the rains start in Cairns, it’s time to keep a close eye on Barron Falls. Flooding only a few weeks each year, Barron Falls requires a significant amount of rain to turn from trickle to thunder. Often it can be better to wait a day or so after the rain for the mist to subside and the falls to be on full view, but if it is safe and possible to do so, a visit up to Kuranda to see Barron Falls in flood is a must rainy day Cairns wet weather activity. Suggested read: How to see Barron Falls in flood.
5. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is a 7.5km cableway that explores the tropical rainforest of Cairns. It’s also one of the Cairns attractions that is most likely to be unaffected by tropical rains as it can still operate in general rainy weather. What’s even better about visiting Skyrail Rainforest Cableway on a rainy day, is that it’s when the rainforest truly comes to life and as you traverse the canopy, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a completely different world. Find the best photo spots for your rainy day Cairns wet weather activity here: The best photo spots at Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in Cairns.
6. Enjoy a staycation
When the rain arrives in Cairns it can often hit for several days at a time. Instead of sitting around waiting for it to pass, why not enjoy a staycation in your own town? With many beautiful hotels in Cairns, it’s really your choice to pick what suits you best and spend a few days relaxing guilt-free. Suggested read: 10 reasons you need to stay at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns.
7. Cheers to the Cairns wet weather and enjoy a drink!
Just like with eating, drinking is not impacted by the wet weather in Cairns. As always, stay safe and responsible but when the wet weather hits Cairns, it could be a sign to go and check out your favourite bar or pub. You might not believe it but this photo below was taken during torrential downpour in Cairns!
8. Explore the rainforest
If it is safe to do so, it’s one of the best times to experience the rainforest is in the Cairns wet weather. Stick to marked trails and be sure not to go further than is safe (plus, keep a keen eye out for leaches as you explore any trails!). If open during the Cairns wet weather, places like Mamu Tropical Skywalk are a great way to experience the rainforest without getting muddy along the way.
9. Ten Pin Bowling
A very obvious rainy day Cairns wet weather activity, but you can’t go pass ten pin bowling – especially if you have children. Indoors, great atmosphere, competitive spirit and copious amounts of food available, ten pin bowling is a brilliant Cairns wet weather activity to spend a rainy day.
10. Check out the excess water in the region – but only if safe!
This one comes with the obvious caveat, if it has been raining enough that Cairns is beginning to flood, only go and visit the areas if it is safe to do so and there is no advice to stay at home. However, if it safe and open, seeing places like Crystal Cascades (pictured below), Stoney Creek and the waterfalls that form over parts of Walshs Pyramid are very impressive after heavy rain in Cairns. But, please remember to stay safe!
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