Ethan says in Cairns you can take the train up to Kuranda which is a nice visit and there's a market in some small town in the rain forest.
He says there is a pub up there where you can grab a bite and its a nice day trip. He also recommends the Jabukai (?) theatre for Aboriginal dance. Also if you do get up to Mossman, you should take a swim at Mossman gorge and play on the boulders. He likes that place too.