Ace Rental Cars Blog

The coastal town of Cairns is nestled up against thriving rainforest national park on all landward sides. This makes it a perfect basecamp for hikers looking to set out on day trips to explore the untamed wilderness available on the town’s doorstep.

From Kuranda National Park, just north of Cairns, to the iconic, and World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest; you have a bounty of unbelievable trails to choose from. In fact, there are trails to suit hikers of all experience levels – from the casual stroller to the hardcore adventurist. 

Make sure to check out some of the below hikes and trails when in Cairns to immerse yourself in this ancient, natural landscape. 

Walsh’s Pyramid

Forget heading to Egypt, you can find the world’s highest natural freestanding pyramid in northern Queensland. The geological curiosity that is Walsh’s Pyramid, is a whopping 922 meters tall and promises a gruelling hike. The unobstructed, 360-degree views are well worth the sweat and tears, however. Just a 20-minute drive up from Cairns, Trinity Beach is one of the closest and most popular beaches in the area. With its family-friendly vibe, relaxed atmosphere and its location nestled between two large headlands; Trinity Beach is ideal for those wanting to feel sheltered away in the natural landscape.

Crystal Cascades

If there’s one thing other than stunning views sure to entice people into a hike, it’s the reward of a waterfall at the end. Crystal Cascades is a popular destination among the locals as it offers a series of refreshing watering holes to cool off in. This is much needed during jellyfish season, when the ocean is teeming with nasty stingers. 

The waterholes are an easy 30-minute stroll from the public car park, although, hiker enthusiasts can tackle the much longer trail to Cairns’ local reservoir, Lake Morris. This is a must for those who don’t mind forgoing the refreshing dip.

Head another 10 minutes north up the coast to reach Palm Cove. As the name subtly suggests, this picturesque strip of sand is lined with lush palm trees. More of a luxury tourist hotspot, the beach’s esplanade is populated with ample 5-star resorts, sophisticated restaurants and classy bars.

Barron Gorge National Park

Lovers of waterfalls will really love this next hiking destination. Head 20 minutes up from Cairns to Barron Gorge National Park to witness the fury of Barron Falls. Viewable via an elevated boardwalk, the torrent of water charging down Barron Gorge is a sight to behold. The park offers many hiking trails to choose from, ranging from 30 minutes to six hours return, meaning there are options for hikers of all skill levels.

Cape Tribulation

This prehistoric rainforest is two hours north of Cairns, but trust us; it’s well worth the journey. We recommend hiring a rental car for the day and making the trip up early so you can spend the entire day exploring the World Heritage-listed Daintree rainforest at your own pace. Start off at the Daintree Discovery Centre for all the information you’ll need on the trails available.

For any questions on booking your vehicle with Ace Rental Cars, speak to our team today on 1800 620 408.

Ace Rental Cars Cairns Airport Location

Address: 147 Lake Street Cairns Australia Get Directions
Phone Number: +61 3 9222 2595 Toll Free: 1800 620 408
Email: cairns@acerentals.com.au
Office Hours: Open 7 days a week