Cairns is the perfect launching point for anyone visiting Australia who wants to see the Great Barrier Reef or the lush tropical rainforests of Far North Queensland. There’s plenty to do around Cairns, and on my recent trip, I had the opportunity to stay in many different areas.
As you plan your trip to Cairns, you’ll want to pick a great home base as you take fantastic day trips or even overnight trips to places like the Atherton Tablelands! Here are the best areas to stay in Cairns, Australia, why they make great options, and suggestions for where to stay.
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Cairns Esplanade
The Cairns Esplanade is found along the water and harbor in Cairns. This area has plenty to do within a quick walking distance and is great for anyone who will be headed out on a boat to the Great Barrier Reef because it will be a short walk for you! This area is along the harbor.
Staying here also puts you close to the Esplanade Lagoon, which is great for kids. There are many great restaurants (we loved Tha Fish and La Pizza), and it is a great place to see art installations.
Cairns does not have a beach in town, so this is an excellent option for enjoying the views of the water and being close to the action! However, this is a more expensive area with several more luxury oriented hotels.
Hotel Recommendations on the Esplanade:
- Hilton Cairns: This hotel is set along the Cairns waterfront amid lush tropical surroundings. It is just 400 meters from the Reef Terminal, the main departure point for most trips, and right on the Esplanade. Enjoy the lagoon-style pool, restaurant, and bar.
- Oaks Cairns Hotel: This relatively new hotel, opened in 2020, has a modern feel and is ideal for travelers looking for a comfortable stay in the city. It includes a rooftop bar and restaurant with panoramic views.
- Crystalbrook Flynn: This boutique luxury hotel has unparalleled sea views, glass swimming pools, and a social hub of restaurants and bars.
Central Cairns
If you’re looking for somewhere you can still be close to the Esplanade but a bit away from the action, consider central Cairns! Cairns is not a big city, so even going a little further from the Esplanade will feel much quieter, especially when cruises dock in the port or many people are headed to the Reef.
Central Cairns will be about a 10-15 minute walk from the harbor and will also mean dealing with less traffic! You’ll still find plenty of restaurants and coffee shops here, making it convenient on your trip.
This area of Cairns can be much more affordable, as you’ll see in the options below! There’s also free parking in this area of Cairns, so if you’ve rented a car, you can likely find a spot along the street.
Hotel Recommendations in Central Cairns:
- Coral Tree Inn: This private property offers a tropical, peaceful sanctuary. It is a great value, clean, and in a great location.
- DoubleTree by Hilton: This hotel offers lush tropical gardens and ocean views. It is located across the street from the Cairns Aquarium, and the rooms are spacious. The staff is also very friendly!
- Crystalbrook Riley: This boutique luxury hotel offers stylish rooms and suites, three restaurants and bars, including Rocco, Cairns’ highest rooftop bar, an expansive lagoon pool, and the stunning Eléme Day Spa.
Cairns North
For something quieter and more residential, consider Cairns North! This area of Cairns is along Trinity Bay, away from the boats and travelers coming in and out. It’s more residential, with plenty of open park space and cute coffee shops.
It is a gateway to the city’s northern attractions and feels more local! We really enjoyed how quiet this part of Cairns felt and the morning walk along the Esplanade (it continues from downtown north). This area is a 20-25 minute walk to downtown Cairns, so you may have to consider taking an Uber to get to places.
This area is a great starting point for northern attractions like Kuranda, Daintree, Port Douglas, and the airport. However, like the Esplanade, swimming in the water is not recommended in this area. Instead, you should keep swimming to the pools!
Last tip: This area is excellent if you rent a car. Many of the VRBOs include parking, and street parking is also easier here than in other areas of Cairns.
Hotels/VRBOs in North Cairns:
- Cairns Harborside Hotel: This hotel offers rooms with stunning views of Trinity Bay and surrounding mountains. Each room features a balcony. We loved the pool and strolling along the bay in the morning.
- Coastal 2-Bed with Parking & Pool by the Ocean: This 2-bed, 2-bath property has homely interiors, a private balcony with outdoor dining, and a swimming pool. With great amenities and easy access to the ocean, this is an excellent option for your stay.
- Ocean views, Esplanade location, 3BR, deluxe: This apartment offers exceptional views of stunning sunrises and sunsets, palm trees, the ocean, and the city. It is stylish and spacious, perfect for groups and families.
Palm Cove
Palm Cove is the cutest little beach community about 35 minutes from downtown Cairns. It’s home to many beautiful boutique hotels, restaurants and shops, spas, and a great beach for swimming and water sports! The beach has lifeguards and a net during stinger season, so you’ll be good no matter what time of year you visit.
We loved Palm Cove on our trip and did a lot of shopping there. This is a popular spot for those looking for a beach getaway, and you’ll find many great hotels and beautiful homes. You’ll also be closer to Daintree and other things to do north of Cairns. If I return to Cairns, I’ll spend more time here!
I would highly recommend renting a car if you’re staying here as you’ll need a car to get to different places and may face challenges having tours pick you up from this area, but it can definitely be worth it for the relaxing, boutique feel of this neighborhood!
Hotels/VRBOs in Palm Cove:
- The Reef House Adults Retreat: This luxury spot in Palm Cove offers a welcoming atmosphere and luxurious amenities, such as spa treatments and multiple pools. It offers the perfect relaxing beach escape. This hotel offers 28 inclusions, including welcome drinks, yoga, bikes, fishing rods, happy hour, and more.
- The Palms at Palm Cove: Nestled in a tranquil tropical oasis, you’ll be charmed by the hotel’s artistic ambiance and the beautiful pool and gardens. The rooms are modern, and the full apartments are well-equipped and great value for money.
- Palm Cove Penthouse Ocean Front: This luxurious one-bedroom apartment on the beach has an ocean view that is second to none. It’s the ideal location for your honeymoon or romantic getaway.
- 205 @ Sea Temple Palm Cove: This second-floor apartment has a glass balcony with a great view of the lagoon pool on site. It also has a full kitchen and laundry facilities, two ensuite bathrooms, and two bedrooms, making it ideal for friends traveling together or a family.
Photo by Josh Withers
Trinity Beach
Trinity Cove is another excellent beach community a little closer to Cairns, known for being more family-friendly. It’s about a 25 minute drive from downtown, and you’ll find a relaxed atmosphere and natural beauty; it offers visitors a quintessential tropical experience!
The calm waters are suitable for swimming, and the beachfront is equipped with free barbecues, making it ideal for picnics and people who plan to cook on their own during a vacation. However, you will still find plenty of restaurants here to enjoy on your trip.
This is another area where it’s best to have a car or plan to pay a decent amount for Ubers/taxis getting to and from Trinity Beach.
Hotels/VRBOs in Trinity Beach:
- Blue Lagoon Resort: This palm-fringed resort is just a four-minute walk from Trinity Beach. It offers accommodations with balconies overlooking rainforest mountains. The resort features two outdoor pools and a tennis court. The area surrounding the property has many cafés along the shore, and a shopping center is 500 yards away.
- Unique Ocean-front Igloo at Trinity Beach: You read that right -an igloo! This genuinely unique beachfront accommodation offers guests a sense of being inside an igloo-type experience only steps from one of the most beautiful beaches in Cairns.
- 3BR Waterfront “The Beach Shack”: This beautiful apartment is in the Acclaimed Coral Sands Resort. You’ll enjoy the views from the Balcony overlooking Trinity Beach and the Coral Sea from the two balconies. This is a great option for families or groups!
Fitzroy Island
Looking for a place to stay on the Great Barrier Reef? Fitzroy Island is the perfect place to stay if you want to stay on the reef without going on a liveaboard or boat trip.
This stunning island is located on the Great Barrier Reef and is a 40 minute ferry ride from Cairns. A lovely resort on the island makes a great place to stay on your Cairns trip.
There are plenty of things for families and adventurers on Fitzroy Island. You can snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, rent kayaks for the day, hike to incredible views, spend a day at the beach and grab a bite at the resort… Plenty to keep you busy and an excellent area to stay in Cairns.
Fitzroy Island Accommodation Options:
- Fitzroy Island Resort: Rooms at the resort offer a modern feel with the amenities you need for a comfortable stay. Guests can relax in the outdoor swimming pool with a bar or the in-house cinema. The resort’s sea view restaurants offer island fare cooked with fresh Australian produce for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Camping on Fitzroy Island: Enjoy a rustic camping experience on Fitzroy Island. The Council Campground is located next to the beach and only a 5 minute stroll from the Jetty. It has approximately 20 tent sites, a basic cold-water shower block, shaded and sunny grassy camping spots, and pergola covers for eating areas.
I hope you enjoyed learning about the best areas to stay in Cairns! There’s tons of great options and I’m so lucky we got to spend so long here and stay in a variety of different places around Cairns. As such a small city, it’s easy to get around, no matter where you choose to stay.
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