Must do: I'd go with local operator Reef Magic to see the reef.
When kiwis visit, they love:
The warmth, of course, and the wonderful outside lifestyle that this weather enables.
Famous for: Where the rainforest meets the reef: two World Heritage areas, one on land and one a marine environment, form the perfect complement.
Best water activity: Snorkelling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef.
Best place to swim: Under the waterfall at Millaa Millaa on the Atherton Tableland.
Taste
Best coffee spot: For the view alone, take afternoon tea at Thala Beach Lodge just south of Port Douglas.
Best picnic spot: The wonderfully shady park along the beach at Kewarra Beach.
What's the best local produce?: The famous Rusty's Market is a cornucopia of fresh, local (and some not-so-local) produce.
Where should we eat?: Salt House down on the marina waterfront is not to be missed. It's ambience, semi-outdoor environment and great food are a hard-to-beat combination.
Looking for something special for dinner?: For a special occasion, it has to be Tamarind at the Reef Casino hotel. The food is to die for.
Where to hang out when the sun goes down?: Once again, it's the Salt House, this time the outdoor bar area which is the place for locals and visitors alike. Just along the marina boardwalk is the local favourite, Mondo's, at the Hilton, where you can sit by the water.
Play
Best shop: The shop at KickArts Gallery in the Cairns Centre of Contemporary Arts in Lake St, home of the famous Jelly Baby sculptures. It has a wonderful array of art prints, hand-made jewellery you won't find anywhere else.
Don't miss: Jute is one of Australia's finest small professional theatre companies, which specialises in new Australian works that are often cutting edge.
Best sporting event to catch: Cairns Adventure Festival in June each year - a week-long event that includes Cairns Ironman and Cairns 70.3 triathlons.
Best cultural activity in the area: Tjapukai Cultural Park at Smithfield is an award-winning attraction that has been showcasing Aboriginal culture for more than 25 years.
Stay
Best place to rest your head: If you want to get away from everything, head to Fitzroy or Green Island. The more budget-conscious traveller could head for the Bay Village Resort in Cairns where you can get a self-catering apartment.
Relax
Best sunset view: To the west of the hills up on the Tableland in places like Granite Gorge near Mareeba.
Best sunrise view: Anywhere along the beaches, where you can see the sun rise from the sea, creating a glittering pathway to the beach.
