"Cairns - Beautiful One Day, Raining The Next" Cairns by kiwiwahine

Probably 99.9% of the people who visit Cairns are here to experience the GBR. For some it can be an amazing experience but for others it can be an enormous letdown. Cairns survives on tourism, what that means is that the GBR has been given a thrashing by boat loads of tourists who little understand its fragility.
That doesn't mean that you can't enjoy it, it just means doing some research before booking a trip.
If you are a serious diver consider doing a live aboard that takes in the outer and northern reefs as well as the Coral Sea. If you are a newby snorkeller then most places wll satisfy you although again the boats doing the outer reef are the best option.
There are loads of other things to do and see from Cairns, including the rainforests, hinterland and a plethora of adventure activities. If you have only a window of time to travel then book in advance. If you have some leaway with the time you are spending in Cairns then wait until you arrive before booking tours. 7 day standby rates are offered by most tour operators and can save you hundreds of dollars.
For more detailed information on accomodation, dining out, night life and tours see my recommendations

• Pros:Fun, Sunny, Lots to do,
• Cons:Tacky, busy, full of tourists
• In a nutshell:Beautiful One Day, Raining The Next