The last major city at the corner of the great tropical outback, Cairns (CANS) is both the northern terminus of the backpacker route and the premier gateway to snorkeling and scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. The countless neon signs and booking agencies that dot the Esplanade and Central Business District (CBD) betray Cairns’s tourist identity. While tidal mudflats preclude traditional beach activities, a dizzying array of reef and island excursions coupled with throngs of raucous, fun-loving backpackers leave few would-be beachgoers complaining. The atmosphere is friendly, relaxed, and outrageously touristy. A bustling city with a front-row seat to one of the ocean’s most breathtaking treasures, Cairns is an ideal destination for travelers seeking thrills or just a chance to see nature at its most majestic.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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