
Best Ways to See the Great Barrier Reef
Here are the top ways to experience the UNESCO-listed star of Australia's Tropical North.
Trinity Beach offers a tropical getaway within easy access of the city of Cairns. Popular with locals from the suburban community of the same name, the laid-back Trinity Beach features crystal clear waters, a sandy stretch of beach, paved walkways that wind past lush gardens, and almond trees cast shade from the strong sun.
Trinity Beach is nestled between two headlands, providing an attractive bay area in which to enjoy activities such as windsurfing, sailing, bodyboarding, and beach volleyball, or you can simply soak up the sun on the golden sand. Trinity Beach offers safe swimming year-round, with a protective (jellyfish-proof) swimming enclosure for the summer months (November to May). Beachfront barbecue facilities and tennis courts mean there are plenty of opportunities to meet sun-loving locals here any time of year.
Trinity Beach is located just 20 minutes north of Cairns city and 15 minutes from the Cairns International Airport on the Captain Cook Highway. The number 111 bus (in the direction of Kewarra Beach) from Cairns Central Shopping Centre stops at Trinity Beach; the journey takes around 50 minutes.
Beachcombers and sun-worshippers should plan to visit between May and November, when the dry season’s warm temperatures are ideal for enjoying the sun and sand. The green season is between January and April and is characterized by higher temperatures, more rainfall, and higher humidity.
Visitors will find plenty of great places to dine along the beachfront esplanade. With its eclectic menu and casual atmosphere, Trinity Beach Tavern is a popular choice for diners of all ages. A few minutes’ walk east, L’Unico Trattoria is loved for its Italian cuisine and cocktails, as well as its scenic deck that offers sea views and cool breezes off the ocean.