17 March, 2020
11 February, 2020
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13 January, 2020
Destination Profile
Turtles, reef sharks, brain sponges, twisted corals, parrotfish and kraits – they all make an appearance in the underwater menagerie of the Great Barrier Reef. That UNESCO-attested wonder of the world sits just off the coast of Cairns, dashing the Coral Sea with its mind-boggling array of dive sites, snorkel spots, and deserted islets. Of course, that's often right at the top of the things to do list, but it's not all that's offered by this corner of Queensland. There are the pristine beaches of Palm Cove, fringed by lanky coconut trees. There are the rain-soaked forests of the Daintree National Park, where Oz does its best Borneo impression. And you've got a smorgasbord of exotic fruits and fish cuts to enjoy when its time to chow down. Cheap flights to Cairns from New Zealand take you on a diagonal line across the edge of the Tasman Sea. Most involve at least one stopover, with average travel times between eight and 16 hours.
Green Island pops up from the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef. It's home to cotton-white sands and top-draw snorkeling spots.
The rainforests of Daintree draw nature lovers by the bucket load. Choose a tour here to hit trails lined with ancient woods and spot tree kangaroos in the boughs.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef on the planet. Come to scuba between its sponges and parrotfish just outside of Cairns.
Right now, March/2026 is the cheapest time of year to fly to Cairns.
Air New Zealand fly non-stop between New Zealand and Cairns.
Singapore Airlines is the best airline to fly to Cairns from New Zealand. For direct flights then Air New Zealand is best. The best low-cost airline is Jetstar.