Trips to Cairns
Feel free to contact us and let’s start planning together!
A tour operator you can trust. 5 week tour of New Zealand and Australia, everything went as agreed and as stated in the itinerary. Great job Asko and Project tours. Really professional operation and service
A very well-organized trip to Australia and New Zealand. Thank you!
The concept worked perfectly for us:Peaceful vacation: We appreciated that it wasn’t a group trip. We were able to explore the destinations at our own pace, but the schedule and advance reservations gave the trip a clear framework.Reservations in order: All hotel and tour reservations worked flawlessly in principle.Safety net: When there were twists and turns along the way – such as flight cancellations – the office handled the situations for us nicely. It was relaxing to know that someone else would take care of the logistics if the original plan changed.
A 2-week tour of Australia tailored for us. Interesting destinations and good hotels. Exceptions to the planned program were handled very well. I highly recommend!
The trip went well. The destinations were interesting and the transportation was handled as planned. I definitely recommend this trip organizer.
Asko listened to our wishes and tailored the package to our needs. Highly recommended!
We had a wonderful 4,5 week tour across Australia and Project Matka made excellent job planning the trip and made all needed reservations including all travel, accommodation and activities. The schedule and all activities were really well planned and we saw a lot of Australia, its nature and animals and the culture during our trip. We absolutely loved our trip!
Big thanks to Asko and Project travel! I was on a 3-week vacation in Australia. All the details were carefully and carefully planned and thought out. The trip went without a hitch. I got to see amazing places and have new experiences. Super thanks. I can warmly recommend Asko and Project travel!
Many thanks to Asko and Project Matka. A wonderfully planned and executed three-week trip to Australia, during which we got to explore great city destinations and above all, wonderful nature, from rainforests to fabulously beautiful sandy beaches and, as the cherry on the cake, snorkeling on the reef. The arrangements were really well made. With the written and verbal instructions from Asko, it was easy and safe for even the most relaxed traveler to travel. I recommend Project Matka, with their help you can tailor a trip to your own preferences.
I can really recommend Projekt Matka. They planned a memorable New Zealand and Australia tour for me, everything went smoothly. Asko was always available quickly when I needed advice or directions. A well thought out trip!
The travel program was as tight as we had hoped, but it ran smoothly and every detail was carefully thought out. The arrangements exceeded our expectations in every way.
My experience with Project Matka was absolutely outstanding! From start to finish, they provided exceptional services that went above and beyond my expectations.First and foremost, the planning process was a breeze, thanks to their invaluable tips and recommendations. Asko, from Project Matka, not only designed our dream holiday but also added incredible value by suggesting fantastic restaurant options and local gems that truly made our trip unforgettable. It's the little details like these that make all the difference.Moreover, the communication with Project Matka was superb. Asko and his team made sure we felt like we were in exceptionally good hands throughout our entire journey. They were responsive, attentive, and always ready to address any questions or concerns we had, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable experience.Thanks to Project Matka, we had a dream holiday that exceeded our expectations. I can't recommend them enough for their top-notch services, thoughtful planning, and outstanding communication. Asko, you delivered our dream holiday, and we're incredibly grateful. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
If you are considering a trip to Australia and/or New Zealand don’t hesitate to use Project Matka. We are experienced travelers and never used an agent prior to this trip. Project Matka not only listened to our wants, preferences, style, likes and dislikes, but provided guidance and suggestions we hadn’t consider. Our final itinerary not only met but exceeded our expectations. The cities, hotels, tours which was a combination of self guided, private and semi-private tours was seamless and absolutely perfect. We spent 30 days between the two countries and it was a trip of a lifetime primarily due to the support we got for Project Matka.
Asko Project Matka helped me plan and implement a wonderful holiday in Melbourne. However, in a relatively short time I managed to see a lot. Thanks to the useful tips I received from Asko. His local knowledge of Melbourne is in a class of its own. I can warmly recommend Project Matka if you are looking for a holiday in Australia!
A thousand thanks to Asko and Project Matka for the absolutely fantastic arrangements for our trip to central Australia. Everything went perfectly, and the experiences were one after the other. We asked for an active itinerary with hiking in stunning landscapes as the main focus, and that's what we definitely got. Other highlights included dinner under the stars, a camel ride at sunrise, and the light art installation Field of Lights. Warm recommendation to Asko and the Project Matka team.
Discover tropical city life in Cairns
Travellers to Cairns often come to see the iconic Great Barrier Reef or the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest, but the city of Cairns itself is also an attractive destination. There are casual cafes, quality restaurants, interesting markets and a charming harbour. So you can choose to relax by the resort’s pool or spend the day exploring this tropical oasis. The best time to visit Cairns is during the northern hemisphere autumn and winter.
Although Cairns has only around 150 000 inhabitants, it is a bustling city with a relaxed atmosphere, vibrant tropical culture and exciting Wet Tropics rainforest experiences. As part of your trip to Cairns, we also recommend a visit to one of Cairns’ northern beaches, such as Palm Cove. There you’ll see a beautiful beach, restaurants and resort-style village life, among other things.
On your trip to Cairns, you should also explore the serene waterfalls, towering trees and crater lakes of the Tablelands and Kuranda. Sample unique tropical flavours, see impressive wildlife and take advantage of the outdoor activities that make Cairns such a popular holiday destination.
We also recommend a visit to the charming, tropical village of Port Douglas, which serves as a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest excursions. There you can marvel at the beauty of two World Heritage sites in one area. The village also offers guests a wide range of options for dining, shopping and pampering.
Ready to plan your dream journey to Oceania?
I am a qualified travel professional from Finland, living in Australia for over 20 years. Because I am based locally in the destination, I will tailor-make your itinerary with the best insider tips and provide reliable on-the-ground support throughout your trip.
Get in touch, and let’s make your travel dreams come true! Read more >
Asko Meriläinen
Your travel planner, entrepreneur
24/7 support at every stage of your journey, before, during, and after your trip
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Dreaming of a perfect
trip to Cairns?
Contact us and we can help you plan a successful trip that suits you.
Shopping and good food in Cairns
There are many boutique-style shops in the city centre where you can find rare bargains, and a larger shopping centre called Cairns Central, with shops from familiar brands. There are also a number of grocery stores in the centre, including Coles and Woolworths, Australia’s largest grocery chains.
Cairns also has a wide choice of restaurants, and you can choose whether you want to try fresh seafood for dinner or local beers and pizza, for example. You can enjoy stunning mountain and sea views at a variety of restaurants along the Cairns waterfront.
The Cairns area offers great experiences
On your way to Cairns, it’s handy to make a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. The spectacularly colourful corals, tropical fish, turtles and rays of the Great Barrier Reef are guaranteed to be an unforgettable sight. You can choose how you want to explore the reef, and experience its beauty from both above and below the surface.
Surrounded by tropical rainforests, the village of Kuranda is perfect for relaxing in beautiful surroundings, known for its scenic cable car, market and art community, and there’s plenty more to see and do.
You can also enjoy the beauty of the rainforest in the areas around Cairns. The World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, for example, is full of natural wonders. Here you can swim in clear waters, spot crocodiles in the river and explore the rainforest-reef interface. You’ll also discover the ancient magic of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest.
For the perfect picnic spot, head to Vlasoff Cay by helicopter flight. Surrounded by the stunning blue-green Coral Sea, you can start your morning by snorkelling in the clear waters and then enjoy a rock star breakfast with a bubbly.
A visit to the reef gives you the chance to learn about saltwater culture, and the best way to do that is by discovering the ancient knowledge and stories of the indigenous peoples. Nowhere else will you experience such stories like on a trip to Cairns.
Coastline near Cairns
Although Cairns doesn’t have its own beach, you can relax by the sea at Cairns Lagoon, located on the Cairns Esplanade in the city centre.
For a more traditional beach day, the Northern Beaches area offers great options such as Palm Cove, Yorkeys Knob or Clifton Beach. Palm Cove has a comprehensive range of amenities including restaurants and shops.
Further to the North
If you travel further north, you’ll find Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas. If you’re willing to travel a few hours south, Mission Beach has 14km of coastline with four villages along the way.
Be sure to follow lifeguard instructions and only swim between the flags if permitted. Please note that between November and April, swimming in the sea without a wetsuit is not allowed due to the presence of poisonous jellyfish. Crocodiles, which are deadly to humans, also live in and around rivers.
Cairns is easy to get around by bus
TransLink’s Sunbus public bus service operates throughout the city. Its routes run from the northern shores to the southern suburbs via the Lake Street bus terminal.
Ready to plan your dream journey to Oceania?
I am a qualified travel professional from Finland, living in Australia for over 20 years. Because I am based locally in the destination, I will tailor-make your itinerary with the best insider tips and provide reliable on-the-ground support throughout your trip.
Get in touch, and let’s make your travel dreams come true! Read more >
Asko Meriläinen
Your travel planner, entrepreneur
A tour operator you can trust. 5 week tour of New Zealand and Australia, everything went as agreed and as stated in the itinerary. Great job Asko and Project tours. Really professional operation and service
A very well-organized trip to Australia and New Zealand. Thank you!
The concept worked perfectly for us:Peaceful vacation: We appreciated that it wasn’t a group trip. We were able to explore the destinations at our own pace, but the schedule and advance reservations gave the trip a clear framework.Reservations in order: All hotel and tour reservations worked flawlessly in principle.Safety net: When there were twists and turns along the way – such as flight cancellations – the office handled the situations for us nicely. It was relaxing to know that someone else would take care of the logistics if the original plan changed.
A 2-week tour of Australia tailored for us. Interesting destinations and good hotels. Exceptions to the planned program were handled very well. I highly recommend!
The trip went well. The destinations were interesting and the transportation was handled as planned. I definitely recommend this trip organizer.
Asko listened to our wishes and tailored the package to our needs. Highly recommended!
We had a wonderful 4,5 week tour across Australia and Project Matka made excellent job planning the trip and made all needed reservations including all travel, accommodation and activities. The schedule and all activities were really well planned and we saw a lot of Australia, its nature and animals and the culture during our trip. We absolutely loved our trip!
Big thanks to Asko and Project travel! I was on a 3-week vacation in Australia. All the details were carefully and carefully planned and thought out. The trip went without a hitch. I got to see amazing places and have new experiences. Super thanks. I can warmly recommend Asko and Project travel!
Many thanks to Asko and Project Matka. A wonderfully planned and executed three-week trip to Australia, during which we got to explore great city destinations and above all, wonderful nature, from rainforests to fabulously beautiful sandy beaches and, as the cherry on the cake, snorkeling on the reef. The arrangements were really well made. With the written and verbal instructions from Asko, it was easy and safe for even the most relaxed traveler to travel. I recommend Project Matka, with their help you can tailor a trip to your own preferences.
I can really recommend Projekt Matka. They planned a memorable New Zealand and Australia tour for me, everything went smoothly. Asko was always available quickly when I needed advice or directions. A well thought out trip!
The travel program was as tight as we had hoped, but it ran smoothly and every detail was carefully thought out. The arrangements exceeded our expectations in every way.
My experience with Project Matka was absolutely outstanding! From start to finish, they provided exceptional services that went above and beyond my expectations.First and foremost, the planning process was a breeze, thanks to their invaluable tips and recommendations. Asko, from Project Matka, not only designed our dream holiday but also added incredible value by suggesting fantastic restaurant options and local gems that truly made our trip unforgettable. It's the little details like these that make all the difference.Moreover, the communication with Project Matka was superb. Asko and his team made sure we felt like we were in exceptionally good hands throughout our entire journey. They were responsive, attentive, and always ready to address any questions or concerns we had, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable experience.Thanks to Project Matka, we had a dream holiday that exceeded our expectations. I can't recommend them enough for their top-notch services, thoughtful planning, and outstanding communication. Asko, you delivered our dream holiday, and we're incredibly grateful. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
If you are considering a trip to Australia and/or New Zealand don’t hesitate to use Project Matka. We are experienced travelers and never used an agent prior to this trip. Project Matka not only listened to our wants, preferences, style, likes and dislikes, but provided guidance and suggestions we hadn’t consider. Our final itinerary not only met but exceeded our expectations. The cities, hotels, tours which was a combination of self guided, private and semi-private tours was seamless and absolutely perfect. We spent 30 days between the two countries and it was a trip of a lifetime primarily due to the support we got for Project Matka.
Asko Project Matka helped me plan and implement a wonderful holiday in Melbourne. However, in a relatively short time I managed to see a lot. Thanks to the useful tips I received from Asko. His local knowledge of Melbourne is in a class of its own. I can warmly recommend Project Matka if you are looking for a holiday in Australia!
A thousand thanks to Asko and Project Matka for the absolutely fantastic arrangements for our trip to central Australia. Everything went perfectly, and the experiences were one after the other. We asked for an active itinerary with hiking in stunning landscapes as the main focus, and that's what we definitely got. Other highlights included dinner under the stars, a camel ride at sunrise, and the light art installation Field of Lights. Warm recommendation to Asko and the Project Matka team.
24/7 support at every stage of your journey, before, during, and after your trip
Free travel planning
Submitting the form does not commit you to anything