Much of Cairns and its surrounding region is located in what is known as the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.  As such, its ecological protection and wellbeing is jealously protected by World Heritage legislation.

The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area covers 894,420 hectares and is associated with the dense rainforest and scrub covered Great Dividing Range and its adjacent coastal plains, which extend in a narrow band, from Cooktown in the north, to Townsville in the south.

Incredibly, this ecologically sensitive area runs in close parallel with a second World Heritage listed area of major importance and international fame, the Great Barrier Reef.

An expression that is well-known, and which applies only to Far North Queensland, particularly from the Cairns area northward, aptly describes the close relationship between these two natural treasures as, "Where the Rainforest Meets the Reef".  In some places along this amazing strip of tropic wonderland, it is possible, during low tide, to literally walk out from the awe-inspiring beauty of the rainforest, across a golden sandy beach and onto the equally splendid coral reef.

The possibilities for a visitor to Cairns seeing and enjoying the tropical rainforest are many and varied.  A number of local tour operators offer guided excursions with interesting and informative commentary given by trained guides.  Tours range from a couple of hours around the local area to a couple of days exploring the Daintree, Cape Tribulation and Cooktown districts further north.

Because of the close proximity of the rainforests to Cairns, the visitor is encouraged to take the opportunity to experience their magnificence for themselves.  For those who enjoy a walk, the Rainforest Boardwalk adjacent to the Flecker Botanic Gardens, just 5 kilometres from the city centre, gives the opportunity to encounter the rainforest first hand.  For the reasonably fit and more energetic, the Mount Whitfield Conservation Park offers a rainforest walking trail experience.