The train station is located between Bunda and McLeod Streets, next to the Cairns Central shopping centre. There are five trains a week down the coast to Brisbane as well as daily trains to Kuranda.
In addition to rail services, Premier Motor Services coaches also depart from Cairns train station.
Walk around central Cairns, particularly along the Esplanade, and you’ll see myriad businesses claiming to be tourist information centres. These are all businesses trying to sell you tours, dive courses, reef trips and other activities; and there is only one official tourist information centre (at 51 The Esplanade, Cairns) where the staff are there to give you information rather than sell you things.
Canberra’s airport has frequent flights to most major Australian destinations although backpackers rarely use it.
The airport is located 7km east of the city centre and is served by the AirLiner shuttle bus, which runs every 30 minutes and costs $9 each way.
This museum has displays on the city’s history and cultural diversity.
Trains operated by NSW TrainLink run between Canberra and Sydney and NSW TrainLink also run coach services to Bombala, Cooma, Cootamundra, Merimbula, Eden and Yass Junction.
Canberra’s train station is on Burke Crescent (off Wentworth Avenue) in Kingston, around 7km southeast of the city centre. Buses 39, 80, 83 and 84 run between the station and the city centre.
Sea kayaking puts you in a unique position to discover Byron Bay’s marine life, which includes dolphins. Sea kayaking trips with Cape Byron Kayaks cost $69 per person.
Cape Jervis is connected to Adelaide by an infrequent coach services. There are only two daily coach services between Adelaide and Cape Jervis. They depart Adelaide at 6.45am and 3.45pm and return from Cape Jervis at 9.40am and 8.30pm. This is run by Sealink and it connects with Sealink’s ferry to Kangaroo Island.
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse was built in 1896 and marks Australia’s most southwestern point. The view from the top of the lighthouse lets you see Indian and Southern Oceans meet.
This lighthouse, 13km from Dunsborough, features a small maritime museum and walking trails around the surrounding coastline.
This interpretive centre is run by the Australian Tropical Research Foundation and has informative displays about the rainforest environment.
Cardwell is on the main coach route between Cairns and Townsville.
Greyhound and Premier Motor Service coaches stop at the bus shelter on Brasenose Street near the Bruce Highway.
Cardwell Post Office and Telegraph Station has been restored and reopened as a museum. The museum features exhibits on local history with displays on the construction of the telegraph and the road and rail lines.
This is one of the world’s busiest breweries producing over 1½ million bottles of beer daily and is the home of Carlton Draught, Crown Lager and Victoria Bitter. The brewery offers tours that conclude with a beer tasting.
Integrity Coach Lines coaches stop at outside the visitor information centre on Robinson Street in Carnarvon en route from Perth to Exmouth and Broome.
The factory tour of Australia’s oldest brewery is very popular with backpackers. Like all good brewery tours, there’s free beer awaiting you at the end. Tours are popular and it’s essential to phone ahead to make a booking.
