Cairns is a perfect place to base yourself as you explore Tropical North Queensland. If you prefer a more relaxed beach stay head just out of the city to Trinity Beach, and the Northern Beaches.The Cairns Esplanade is a recently developed excellent facility with a large sandy swimming lagoon, walking paths, an outdoor amphitheater, free public barbeques, picnic areas, children's playground, a Great Barrier Reef departure terminal and a lot more attractions families would love.The other attractions, which should not be ignored by families, are Crystal Cascades, a series of secluded freshwater swimming holes, Flecker Botanic Gardens, the only Wet Tropical Botanic Gardens in Australia, Mossman Gorge, a part of the Daintree Rainforest and a traditional home of the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people and many others.