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Why You Don’t Want to Miss the Rugby League World Cup 2017 in Cairns

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Jordan Squire

2017 marks a special year for the Rugby League World Cup, as it will be the first time in the competition’s history that games will be held in Queensland’s Far North. The tropical town of Cairns is set to host three games of world class rugby league at Barlow Park, with the first games being Scotland VS Tonga and Ireland vs Italy on Sunday 29^th October. Samoa will then take on Scotland on Saturday 11^th November.

For international and Australian rugby fans, these games in Tropical Far North Queensland present an awesome opportunity to travel to a new destination in Australia while following a world class sporting event – the perfect excuse for a holiday with family or friends to see somewhere new!

Cairns is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the place where the reef meets the rainforest, so for anyone interested in seeing the amazing natural wonder that is the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is the perfect departure point.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and provides amazing opportunities for scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, amazing animal encounters, scenic flights and more. There are wide range of tour operators who can take you to the reef, depending on your preferences and budget. Whether you’d prefer to laze on an island all day, or see sharks feeding up close 12 meters below the surface, there is a tour to suit you!

It’s not just the reef that makes Cairns so special, there’s a range of incredible attractions for a wide range of interests, that you won’t find in other cities hosting games for the RLWC. For more info on the events in Cairns click here.

Apart from the reef, here are the top 3 reasons you don’t want to miss the Rugby League World Cup 2017 in Cairns:

The Rainforest

Just a few short hours drive north of Cairns lies the World Heritage listed Daintree rainforest, home to the highest number of rare and threatened plant and animal species in the world. At 1200 square kilometers, the Daintree rainforest area is the largest chunk of protected tropical rainforest in Australia. While in Cairns, don’t miss your chance to see what Sir David Attenborough calls ‘the most precious rainforest in the world’.

There are a range of guided, self-drive, half-day and full-day tours available in the Daintree National Park, ranging from relaxed river cruises to exciting ‘jungle surfing’ zipline tours through the canopy.

Click here to see a list of some of the best Daintree Rainforest tours.

Adventure

If you’re looking for something more adventurous in between games at the Rugby League World Cup, Cairns has a range of adrenaline-filled tours and activities to suit the whole family. From white-water rafting to off-road ATV tours to an up-close experience with crocodiles, you’re sure to find something to get your heart racing! There are adventure tours close to Cairns for those who don’t wish to travel too far, as well as tours outside of Cairns where you can soak up the rainforest or the outback at the same time.

Click here to see some of our favorite adventure tours.

The Food

Cairns is home to some of the best seafood and locally produced meat, vegies, and fruit available anywhere in Australia. A range of top quality local restaurants and cafes offer guests a chance to indulge in uniquely Australian flavours in a beautiful setting. Take a day trip to the Atherton Tablelands to sample delicious local wine, cheese, chocolate and coffee, or maybe just relax by the water with a cocktail and share platter!

Check out more information on dining in Cairns here. 

With so much to see and do in Cairns, it’s the perfect place to come and watch the Rugby League World Cup 2017!

Accommodation will sell out fast when thousands of rugby fans descend on Cairns in October and November 2017, so be sure to book your accommodation now so you don’t miss out! Bring the whole family and book a self-contained apartment, meaning you can choose to self-cater at home or dine out for a treat.

Click here for the best accommodation choices close to Barlow Park.

All images courtesy of Tourism Tropical North Queensland.