There are so many places that you can visit in Cairns for very little money. On one of the days that you are in Cairns you may just want to hire a car and visit some of these...
A beautiful place to go if you would like to totally relax for an afternoon, Lake Placid is a lake with lawn areas to snooze on and gardens to admire. There's a great little cafe and bar there where they do up delicious Devonshire teas, and a fish feeding area where you can feed the perch, barramundi and sooty grunters. Just ask Dean and Judy in the cafe for some bread to feed the fish. Also BBQ facilities if you would like to have a meal the traditional Aussie way, and canoes and paddleboats for hire. Only fifteen minutes drive from Cairns.
A very refreshing place to go for a dip, but beware, the water is very cold mountain water! Set in the rainforest, Crystal Cascades is a set of small waterfalls, with a couple of places to take a dip, and a great walk to the top. If you're feeling like a daredevil, there is a jump at one of the swimming spots that is quite high. I wouldn't like to estimate it's height in case I'm wrong, and I don't recommend doing it, as the first and only time I did it, it took my breath away (literally!! I fell the wrong way!!). No cafes, so take a bottle of water.
If a scenic drive is what you feel like, then this is the one. At the start of the drive there is a lookout that gives you a great view over Cairns, and is also a great place to go at night to see the lights of the city. Then the road is a nice 25 km journey towards the towns water supply. It follows a windy, rainforest clad road up to the top of a mountain and then down the other side. Keep the windows of the car down, the fresh air is magnificent! Once you get to Copperlode Dam, there is a cafe up there where you can buy a soft drink or an ice cream, or even a bit of lunch if you desire. For obvious reasons though, you can't swim in the lake.
A lot of people are not aware of this, but there is no beach in Cairns. The esplanade is beautiful when the tide is in but unless you're a keen birdwatcher when the tide goes out...hmmm! The nearest swimming beach to Cairns is only ten minutes away by car though, with many other beaches within twenty five minutes of the city. During the months of October/November through  until May marine stingers are present along the beaches and estuaries of the tropical north. These are almost transparent jellyfish that have very long tentacles that can reach in excess of 3 metres. It is almost impossible to see them and this is the reason why you need to swim in the stinger nets during these months. These nets were especially designed to keep these jellyfish out. There are also lifeguards posted at most of these beaches. I think Ellis Beach is one of the nicest (less people), but Palm Cove, Trinity Beach and Yorkeys Knob are also good.
 The Rodeo Drivein is one of the last Drivein cinemas operating in Australia. So put the kids in the PJ's, grab a hire car and go see a movie the traditional Aussie way. Click here for whats on.
A definite 'must do' before you go out to the reef! A very entertaining and informative talk about the reef environment, conducted by a mad Irishman who goes by the name of Paddy. It's well worth the few dollars for two hours and includes a slide presentation, tea, coffee and biscuits. This is the absolute best way to learn about what you will be seeing while at the reef. Talk is from 6.15 pm and is conducted at his venue in the Boland Centre on Spence Street.
If you have a spare hour or so take a walk around the Botanical Gardens in Edge Hill and the Centenary Lakes. Great for taking a book to read or simply learning about all of the tropical plants in Far North Queensland. About ten minutes drive from the city.
This is one of the newest attractions thanks to the great work of the Cairns City Council opened on the 29th March 2003. For many years the debate has raged about putting in a proper beach area to compliment the beautiful Parks & Gardens area along the Esplanade. Finally it has come into fruition and what a great job the Council has done. There is a saltwater lagoon and plenty of grassed, shaded area to lie around and catch a few rays. So make sure you check it out when you are in town and it can be found next to the Pier Market Place complex.
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