10 Ways To Celebrate Christmas In Cairns
It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas in Cairns. The streets are twinkling with fairy lights and giant inflatable santas, Cairns Central looks like one giant grotto and we’re pretty sure we’ve already heard “All I Want For Christmas Is You” twenty times.
Fancy getting festive in the Tropics? Whether you’re visiting Cairns for the holiday period or are a Christmas loving local, here’s 10 ways to celebrate Christmas in Cairns.
Christmas Koala Photo
If you fancy a Christmas photo that is quintessentially Australian, why not visit Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome for a snap with one of their resident koalas?
Don a Christmas hat or reindeer antlers and you have the perfect Christmas card shot to send to all of the family!
While your at Cairns Zoom, why not try the high ropes courses, which has the grand finale of a zip line over Goliath, a 4.5 metre crocodile.
Cavalcade of Lights
Christmas in Cairns isn’t complete without the annual Cavalcade of Lights tour!
Join Hit Far North Queensland for the ultimate Christmas lights tour and join in a cavalcade of 500 cars to tour the best Christmas lights around Cairns.
Make this twinkly night even more special by decorating your car. There’s prizes for the best dressed festive cars!
Carols By Candlelight
With traditional carols, laser and light show and an abundance of festive tents, Carols by Candlelight is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit!
This free event is held at Fogarty Park and all proceeds go to the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal. This years event is on Sunday 8th December between 5 and 8pm.
Visit Santa in Cairns Central
Whilst your taking the kids to Cairns Central to do your Christmas Shopping, why not stop by Santa’s Grotto at the main stage.
Santa is sitting on his throne ready to take Christmas photos from now until Christmas Eve.
Get a Christmas Kangaroo Selfie
Another quintessential Aussie Christmas snap you can get in Cairns is the iconic kangaroo selfie.
Grab your santa hat and head to Rainforestation in Kuranda or Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas to get up close to this iconic Australian animal and get the shot.
Build a Sand “Snowman” at the Lagoon
In the snowier parts of the globe, building a snowman is an integral part of getting into the Christmas spirit.
Give this tradition a Tropical North Queensland twist and build a snowman on the beach next to the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon.
Alternatively, head out to Palm Cove or the Northern Beaches and get building!
Explore The Festive Kuranda Village
The eclectic, hippy village of Kuranda doesn’t hold back when it comes to festive cheer. Explore the village and the markets for Christmas gifts for a unique, Christmassy experience.
If you’d like to make a whole day of it, why not take a Tropic Wings tour to Kuranda and enjoy the Skyrail, Kuranda Scenic Railway and Rainforestation.
Suburban Christmas Carols
If you love a whole load of community Christmas spirit, head to one of the Christmas carols events around the Cairns suburbs.
Carols at Yorkeys Knob is held of 8th December 5-8pm and Holloways Beach Christmas carols is held on the 114th of December 5.30-9pm. If you live on the south side, head to Carols in the Park in Gordonvale on Friday 13th December 4-9pm.
Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
If you fancy doing Christmas a little bit differently, why not spend it on the Great Barrier Reef?
Swap santa and elves for Clown Fish and Maori Wrasse and explore one of the most colourful places on the planet: the reef.
For extra school holiday adventure, we recommend our Kuranda and Reef Magic Package.
Celebrate Australia By Visiting Adorable Aussie Animals
While the Northern Hemisphere has “let it snow”, the land down under has “six white boomers”.
In the lead up to Christmas, celebrate ‘straya and meet adorable animals at Rainforestation‘s Koala and Wildlife Park. Hand feed kangaroos and wallabies or join a keeper guided tour to learn more about the iconic wildlife. You can even meet endangered and endemic animals such as the Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo or Southern Cassowary.
Wishing you a wonderful festive period in Cairns!
