Only 10-minutes’ drive from downtown, a green wedge of mangroves, paperbark swamp and rainforested hillsides known as Mount Whitfield Conservation Park separates the city of Cairns from neighboring suburbs whilst also serving as a striking reminder of how wild this area once was. There are great walks to embark on—try the five-mile Blue Arrow trek, or the more manageable 40-minute Red Arrow run—as well as interesting wild life to encounter in the environs of this exotic landscape. It is also recommended that one stroll around the Centenary Lakes or the Fletcher Botanic Garden as it is generally agreed that Cairns looks its best from these vantage points.
