Cairns Solo Female Travel Guide

One Day in Cairns Solo Female Travel Guide:

Trekking through rainforests, diving the Great Barrier Reef, swimming in waterfalls, there are so many reasons to visit Cairns that solo female travelers will have to work at it if they want to be bored. If you’re traveling up, down and around Australia’s east coast then you’ll hit Cairns eventually. This Cairns Solo Female Travel Guide will help you figure out what to do with your day there.

For more info on where to go and what to do while backpacking Australia, check out the Solo Travel Australia Itinerary next.

When To Go

June-October 

Daytime Temps: 89F-93F (31C-34C)

Nighttime Temps: 63F-70F (17C-21C)

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What To Wear

In the June-October months, it’s nice and warm during the day. At night, temperatures cool down all the way to the 60s. To stay comfortable pack breathable clothes for the heat and a light jacket and long pants for when the sun goes down.

For more info on what to wear, read the Solo Travel Australia Packing List.

Accommodation

Hostels: Prices range from  14 AUD to 21 AUD per night.

Hotels: Prices for budget hostels range from 95 AUD to 125 AUD per night.

**Note: These are the prices for hostels with a rating of 8.0 or higher on Hostelworld.com.**

What To Spend

Daily Budget:

60 USD/ 80 AUD/ 80 CAD/ 50 EUR/ 40 GBP

*Assuming you’re on a backpacker’s budget. Making use of public transportation, staying in hostels or other budget accommodations and eating out about once a day. For the daily budgets of other destinations check out Round The World Trip Budget next.*

How To Get Around

By Walking

My hostel was located in the Esplanade and I took to exploring by foot. It’s a beautiful area with the boardwalk on one side and a string of cafes and restaurants on the other. At night, I strolled around watching the bats flying overhead.

By Bus

If you plan on booking a tour or package then they will most likely handle all your transport needs but if not then you’ll need to know the best way to get around. In Cairns, the public buses are operated by Sunbus and the cost to ride depends on how many zones you travel through. The cost of a single ticket in Zone 1 is $2.30.

What To Do In Cairns

Atherton Tablelands Tour

If you only have one day in Cairns then you’re most likely planning to dive the Great Barrier Reef. I get it and I won’t try to talk you out of it. It looks like an incredible experience and maybe one day I’ll go back to Cairns and dive the reef for myself.

But when I was in Cairns, I decided to do things a little differently. I signed up for a tour of the Atherton Tablelands and by the end of it, I had no regrets. I traveled with Barefoot Tours and got to spend the day wandering through the rainforest and swimming in the areas’ most famous waterfalls. The package includes a stop by Lake Eacham, the Cathedral Fig Tree, Dinner falls, The Crater, Millaa Millaa falls and Josephine falls.

Fun Fact: You will get to swim in Lake Eacham which is home to a crocodile. Don’t worry, he keeps to himself.

Travel and Safety Tips for Solo Travel in Cairns

Beware of Theft

Protect yourself by keeping valuables and back up cash and cards locked up in your accommodations. While you’re exploring Cairns, only carry what you need for the day and keep it all in an anti-theft bag that will lock your zippers and prevent anyone from slipping a hand in while you’re not looking.

For More Travel Safety Tips

Read Solo Travel Safety Tips and Solo Travel Safety Items next. I hope my Cairns Solo Female Travel Guide helps you make the most of your trip and if you have any more questions feel free to ask.

Good luck and Happy Travels!