Cairns is known as one of Australia's leading holiday destinations. The city has a population of more than 122,000 which makes it one of Queensland's largest cities.
First rate dining, plenty of good hotels and lots of night life make it the major staging point for any Tropical North Queensland holiday. The Great Barrier Reef is right on your doorstep, along with a stunning tropical rainforest. Cairns is a 22hr drive north of Brisbane, the closest capital city, but this tropical town is considered by many to be the unofficial capital of Tropical North Queensland.

Where to Stay
It all depends on why you are in Cairns. Most of the hotels are around CBD with the high end hotels all there. 
For an extended holiday (anything more than two nights) we suggest you head either north or south to find some of the great laid back towns of tropical Queensland. There is the sophisticated with plenty to do and not too crowded Port Douglas. More sedate and romantic Palm Cove. And for those a little more adventurous Cooktown to the north is more of a frontier town than anywhere else in the tropical north. To the south there is the idyllic lazy Mission Beach, also leaping off point for the family friendly Dunk Island and romantic super glitzy luxury Bederra Island. 

What to Do
Both north and south of Cairns the all important reef trips will be a lot less crowded and therefore more enjoyable. The Daintree and Mossman Gorges are not to be missed. The indigenous tours and activities are also well worth it.
Adventure junkies can't take themselves away from the white water rafting around Tully.  The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a little touristy but a worthwhile day trip out of Cairns. It's also worthwhile to adventure further out to Lava Tubes at Undara.
 

When to Travel
There are clearly defined seasons in the tropical north, Wet and Dry. I's always warm to hot. Peak season and the best time to travel is July to September, but the shoudler season of May and June can be the best of the weather and value. 
The wet is not always out of the question, it doesn't rain every day and it does stop, you just need to be able to handle humidity. The real downer in the wet can be the tropical cyclones.  

Transport:

Cairns International Airport is an easy 20mins by taxi from the CBD ($18 to hotels, 131 008). Australia Coach meets all incoming flights and runs a shuttle service to the city (from $10, 07 4087 2900). Flights from Asia and NZ stop here along with all major domestic carriers. The Brisbane to Cairns Sunlander rail service (economy/sleeper $212/$270 one way, three times a week) and Brisbane to Cairns Tilt Train ($310 one way, twice a week) are leisurely alternatives to flying. Daily bus connections to Cairns are available from the Brisbane Transit Centre (from $290 one way, 1300 473 946). A public bus system, Sunbus, services the city and suburbs as far as Palm Cove (07 4057 7411). The compact CBD is easy to navigate on foot and meetings further afield can be reached by taxi.