{"id":5227,"date":"2024-07-05T05:10:53","date_gmt":"2024-07-05T05:10:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/?p=5227"},"modified":"2024-11-05T08:39:26","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T08:39:26","slug":"5-unexpected-experiences-in-and-around-cairns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/5-unexpected-experiences-in-and-around-cairns\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Unexpected Experiences in and around Cairns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cairns is best known as the gateway to two World Heritage-listed areas: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, if you\u2019re looking for something a little different, there are plenty of unusual experiences on offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are five to try on your next trip to Cairns<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VISIT THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE\u2019S BIGGEST BUTTERFLY HOUSE <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

30 minutes\u2019 drive northwest of Cairns, in the mountain village of Kuranda, you\u2019ll find the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, the biggest butterfly aviary in the Southern Hemisphere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 1,200 species call the sanctuary home \u2013 and you can walk among them while surrounded by tropical gardens. To deepen your experience, take a free audio tour, or join a behind-the-scenes journey into the lab where the caterpillars that turn into butterflies grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lake
Image credit: Visit Queensland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

TAKE A DIP IN A VOLCANIC CRATER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swimming of all kinds \u2013 from snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef to relaxing under waterfalls \u2013 is always part of a holiday in Cairns. But, to take a dip in a volcanic crater, you\u2019ll need to head off the beaten track. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This special swimming hole, called Lake Eacham, lies an hour\u2019s drive southwest in the hinterland, and was formed more than 100,000 years ago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you jump in, don\u2019t spend too long trying to reach the bottom \u2013 the lake\u2019s average depth is 65 metres. Afterwards, warm up with a stroll along the three-kilometre-long walking trail that follows the shoreline all the way around. You\u2019ll wander through dense rainforest and meet plenty of birds \u2013 more than 180 species like around Lake Eacham. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

WANDER THROUGH HAND-BUILT CRYSTAL CAVES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

70 minutes\u2019 drive southwest of Cairns in the Atherton Tablelands are the Crystal Caves. However, unlike many of the breathtaking natural sights in and around town, these were built by hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Owner Ren\u00e9 Boissevain has spent his entire life travelling over the world, gathering crystals and fossils. Here, he has transformed them into 300 square metres of caves, where you can interact with more than 600 pieces from his collection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also a jewellery and gift store filled with crystals, gemstones, fossils and minerals you can take home. Plus, kids can let off some steam playing in the sandpit and drawing on the giant blackboard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Crystal
Image credit: Crystal Caves<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

SEE AUSTRALIA\u2019S ONLY SAMURAI GALLERY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like the Crystal Caves, the Samurai Gallery is the result of one man\u2019s lifelong passion. Owner John Grasso has been studying martial arts since the age of 14, and started collecting samurai swords and books at 17, later expanding his interest to armour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At his gallery, visitors can see his collection, which includes many items that are hundreds of years old. There\u2019s even a sword that dates all the way back to 1040. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SWIM WITH DWARF MINKE WHALES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people know that the Great Barrier Reef is one the world\u2019s natural wonders, but not as many know it\u2019s the only place in the world where you can swim with dwarf minke whales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These incredible creatures visit for just two months each year \u2013 June and July \u2013 and you\u2019ll need to book a tour. These range from one-day adventures, to multi-day trips lasting up to a week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The longer you stay at sea, the greater your chance of getting close to the extraordinary creatures, which are up to eight metres long and live to the ripe old age of 50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GETTING TO CAIRNS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The quickest way to get to Cairns<\/a> is by flying to Cairns Airport<\/a>, where you jump into a SIXT car rental.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019d prefer to turn your holiday into a road trip, you\u2019ll need 19 hours to reach Cairns from Brisbane, 27 hours from Sydney and 31 hours from Melbourne. To make the most of your time behind the wheel, read our handy guides to driving from Sydney to Brisbane<\/a>, and from Brisbane to Cairns<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also recommend these five awesome day trips around Cairns<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cairns is best known as the gateway to two World Heritage-listed areas: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. But, if you\u2019re looking for something a little different, there are plenty of unusual experiences on offer.  Here are five to try on your next trip to Cairns. VISIT THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE\u2019S BIGGEST BUTTERFLY HOUSE …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[94,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-5227","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-travel","7":"tag-cairns","8":"tag-queensland","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n5 Experiences and Things to Do Around Cairns<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From visiting the Southern Hemisphere's biggest butterfly house to swimming with dwarf minke whales, here are things to do in Cairns\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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