You could probably spend a few hours walking around the
<b>Esplanade</b>, but there's not much to do in Cairns that doesn't require most of a day.
A boat trip to the reef for diving or snorkling is the usual choice of most tourists. Unfortunately, this has completely destroyed the more popular spots on the reef visited by companies like Quicksilver. Such a trip really isn't worth it. If you are into scuba though, and can spare the time, a 4 or 5-day trip to the outer reef with
<b>these guys</b> is the ticket.
If you do get a free day (maybe on a weekend), I recommend taking the
<b>Kuranda Scenic Railway</b> to Kuranda, checking out the rainforest and the Tjapukai dancers, and then riding back to Cairns on the
<b>Skyrail</b>. The views from both the railway and the Skyrail are awesome.
I also recommend
<b>Dundees</b> for dinner. They have an entree that includes crocodile, kangaroo, emu and buffalo that, as a practicing carnivore, I found extremely tasty. In fact I've had that dish the four different times that I've been to Cairns. If you're not into red meat, their Barramundi was so good, I wasn't sure if I should eat it or make love to it.
<b>Here's a cool site</b> with touristy info and 360 degree pix of selected locations around Cairns.
Have fun. Oz is a wonderful place to visit.