Cairns QLD, Australia
Cairns
Cairns puts reef and rainforest within reach of the city. Boats head from the waterfront toward the Great Barrier Reef, while palms shade the Esplanade lagoon and green hills close in behind town.
From the Community
Recommendations
Landmark4.6/5
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Hop aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a delightful journey through Queensland’s lush rainforests! This vintage train ride whisks you past gushing waterfalls and stunning vistas, including the breathtaking Barron Gorge. Perfect for adventurers and nature lovers alike, this unforgettable experience combines history, stunning scenery, and a sprinkle of magic. Don't forget your camera—epic photo ops await! 🚂🌿✨
Outdoor
Smithfield
Dive into the vibrant heart of Australia at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park! Just a hop from Smithfield, this cultural gem invites you to discover ancient customs, mesmerizing dances, and storytelling by Tjapukai elders. Try your hand at boomerang throwing and savor traditional cuisine. It’s an unforgettable adventure that celebrates the rich tapestry of Indigenous heritage—perfect for the curious traveler!
Shop4.3/5
Cairns Central Shopping Centre
Indoor shopping mall in central Cairns with a food court, cinema and arcade.
Outdoor
Edge Hill
Edge Hill is Cairns’ leafy foothill suburb. The Cairns Botanic Gardens spread across the lower slopes, and trails climb into Mount Whitfield Conservation Park. From the gardens, you can walk uphill into rainforest.
Transport3.9/5
Cairns Airport
Airport in Cairns.
Eat$$$4.3/5
Salt House
Cairns bar and restaurant pairs a beer garden with acoustic singers. At lunch, you can settle into deep-cushioned daybeds.
Eat$$$$4.5/5
Tamarind Restaurant
This Cairns fine-dining restaurant serves carefully plated dishes in a room set with crisp white tablecloths.
Eat$$$4.4/5
Ganbaranba
Ramen shop in Cairns with complimentary iced tea. You can add another serving of noodles to your bowl.
Cafe$$$4.6/5
The Chambers
Cairns brunch cafe with outdoor tables and chai panna cotta.
Eat$$$4.3/5
Perrotta's at the Gallery
Cairns Italian restaurant beside the Art Gallery has covered outdoor tables on a tree-lined street. Fans turn above the deck.
Drink$$$4.7/5
Three Wolves
Nestled in Cairns City, Three Wolves is a must-visit gem for foodies and cocktail lovers! With a vibrant atmosphere, craft beers, and a mouthwatering menu featuring local flavors, this lively spot is perfect for unwinding after a day of adventure. Don’t forget to snap a pic with their quirky decor before diving into delicious dishes! Cheers to good times!
Eat4.5/5
Rusty's Markets
Cairns' market packs stalls with tropical fruit, leafy greens, flowers and cooked food. A Thai stall serves massaman curry and blue butterfly pea tea.
Cafe$$$4.6/5
Caffiend
Build-your-own breakfast cafe with vegan options and coffee. Eggs come with toast and chili sauce, and servings can take up the whole plate.
Eat$3.45/5
The Jack Hotel & Backpackers
Welcome to The Jack Backpackers! The Jack Backpackers is strictly for guests between the ages of 18 and 35. Is mandatory for all guests to present a valid overseas passport and a valid credit card at check-in. Reception Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM. If you will be arriving after 7:00 PM, please contact us in advance to arrange a late check-in. Check-in: From 2:00 PM Check-out: By 11:00 AM Please note that we are a licensed live music venue. Entertainment may be heard from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM, particularly on weekends. Located only 2 minutes from all the major shopping center's, city attractions, nightclubs, and the Lagoon! The Jack is the PERFECT place for travelers wanting to visit the GREAT BARRIER REEF and the DAINTREE RAINFOREST. Our travel desk offers great local knowledge.
Eat$$$4.6/5
Nu Nu Restaurant
Palm Cove's beachfront restaurant sits behind a grove of coconut palms. Some tables look straight out to the beach.
Stays
Stay$$$$4.35/5
Crystalbrook Riley
Centrally located at the northern end of Cairns iconic waterfront Esplanade, Crystalbrook Riley features 311 stylish rooms and suites, three restaurants and bars including Cairns’ highest rooftop bar, Rocco, an expansive lagoon pool and private beach, the stunning Eléme Day Spa, functions and events spaces for up to 400 people and a 24-hour fitness centre. This 5-star property is set a short distance from attractions such as the Centre of Contemporary Arts, the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, and Cairns Hospital. The property is a 10-minute walk from the Great Barrier Reef Departure Terminal and a 7-minute drive from Flecker Botanic Gardens. The nearest airport is Cairns Airport, 5 km from the property. Most of Riley’s contemporary rooms and suites have spacious balconies. Family rooms have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, while suites and rooms have a mix of urban, resort and sea views. Each room features its own Apple iPad control centre complete with healthy living apps, a 55-inch Smart TV, Staycast by Google for video streaming, access to hundreds of complimentary movies and box sets, blackout blinds, a rainforest shower head and Nespresso coffee machine with recyclable pods. All public and in-room areas are equipped with free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is served daily at the property. Enjoy modern dining at Paper Crane restaurant and bar or indulge in 24-hour in-room dining from 6 November, 2018. Rocco, Cairns’ highest rooftop bar, will be open for guests to enjoy at the property from December 2018. You can lounge poolside in a cabana or at Riley’s man-made beach, or do laps in the lap pool. There is also a 24-hour fitness centre at the property. Watch one of 200 free recent release movies or stream straight from your in-room Apple iPad. You can also book your trip to the Reef or beyond from the interactive lobby tour space.
Stay$$$$4.2/5
Hilton Cairns
Experience a sense of luxury at Hilton Cairns, located on the Cairns Esplanade. Boasting an absolute waterfront location, this property is located just 2 minutes’ walk from the Reef Departure Terminal and a 5-minute walk to the CBD and Cairns Convention Centre. Hilton Cairns offers spacious rooms, all with their own private balcony overlooking mountains and rainforests, Trinity Inlet or the vibrant city skyline. Features at the property include a spa pool and an outdoor lagoon-style pool where guests can relax and soak up the beautiful weather that Tropical North Queensland has to offer. Guests can enjoy the pool bar, or make use of ample soft seating, deck chairs and umbrellas around the pool. Following a busy day of sight-seeing, relax in the hotel's lobby bar & restaurant - Gin Social which overlooks the water and offers diners a varied menu, with local produce and international inspirations. For those looking for the flexibility of dining in room, the hotel has an extensive Room Service Menu, as well as a Grab and Go outlet for all your essential minibar items! Cairns Airport is a 15-minute drive away.
Stay$$$4.25/5
Cairns Plaza Hotel
Located on The Esplanade opposite Trinity Bay, Cairns Plaza Hotel features an outdoor swimming pool and free on-site parking. All rooms have a private balcony. Guests enjoy free WiFi by the pool and in the hotel lobby. Cairns Plaza Hotel is a 10-minute walk from central Cairns, and a 5-minute walk from many shops and restaurants. Cairns International Airport is a 15-minute drive away. All air-conditioned guest rooms include a TV and tea/coffee making facilities. Some rooms have a kitchenette or an ocean view. The tour desk books tours to Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns Plaza also features a 24-hour reception.
Stay$$4.05/5
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Cairns Colonial Club Resort in Cairns offers family rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and modern amenities. Each room includes a tea and coffee maker, refrigerator, and free toiletries. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the family-friendly restaurant. The bar serves cocktails in a relaxed setting. The resort features a year-round outdoor swimming pool, children's pool, and outdoor play area. Located 3 km from Cairns Airport, the hotel provides easy access to local attractions. Nearby activities include yoga classes and bicycle parking. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
Stay$$$$4.2/5
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
The 5-star Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns offers luxury accommodation with stunning views of the Cairns Marlin Marina. It features an outdoor swimming pool and free Wi-Fi internet access. Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns is located just a 10-minute drive from Cairns Airport. The Great Barrier Reef Departure Terminal and the Pier Shopping Centre are located within 3 minutes’ walking distance. All rooms feature a private balcony overlooking a tropical garden, Trinity Bay or Marlin Marina. Flat-screen satellite TV and comfortable bathrobes and slippers are included. Other features include a laptop safe and minibar. Guests at Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns can work out at the well-equipped fitness centre. They can also make use of the complimentary shoeshine service, or get travel advice from the tour desk. The Backyard is a relaxed, all-day dining venue, beautifully positioned beside our tropical garden and sparkling pool. Showcasing fresh Australian produce, the vibrant, contemporary menu offers something for every palate. Guests can choose from a variety of seating options, whether enjoying the comfort of the indoor dining area, unwinding in the garden surrounds or settling in by the pool. The nearby Pool Bar, located within the same space, is perfect for poolside drinks, serving cocktails and refreshing beverages throughout the day. With a laid-back atmosphere and a focus on seasonal flavours, The Backyard delivers a unique and inviting experience ideal for an indulgent breakfast, long lunches or casual drinks in a lush, garden-site setting.
Stay$$$4.05/5
Pacific Hotel Cairns
Located on the iconic Cairns Esplanade overlooking Trinity Harbour, Pacific Hotel Cairns combines unbeatable views with the ultimate tropical getaway. Guests can enjoy private balconies with sweeping harbour, city and moutain views and direct access to Cairns’ best attractions including the Reef Fleet Terminal, Esplanade Lagoon, casino and vibrant shopping precinct. Our range of modern rooms suit every type of traveller, featuring free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, work desks and 24-hour room service. Families and groups will love our spacious dual-key rooms, while those seeking extra indulgence can upgrade to our Luxe Rooms with lush furnishings, smart TVs and spacious ensuites. Relax and unwind in the hotel’s guest lounge or soak up the sunshine by the outdoor pool, just steps from the waterfront boardwalks. Our 24-hour reception team is always on hand to make your stay seamless and memorable. Dining at Pacific Hotel Cairns is a highlight in itself. The award-winning Bushfire Flame Grill Restaurant serves a unique all-you-can-eat Brazilian-style BBQ Churrasco experience, alongside a daily buffet breakfast to start your day right (addtional charges apply). Perfectly positioned just 13 minutes from Cairns Airport, the hotel is your gateway to adventure. Stroll two minutes to the Reef Fleet Terminal for your Great Barrier Reef departure, three minutes to the Esplanade Lagoon or simply step outside to enjoy luxury shopping and entertainment right at your doorstep.
Stay$$$$4.1/5
Pullman Cairns International
Pullman Cairns International is located in the centre of Cairns. All rooms have large balconies overlooking the harbour or mountains. Executive rooms offer a separate living and dining area. The largest guest rooms in Cairns at over 40 square metres, beautifully appointed with premium décor, amenities and private balconies with views of the harbour or hinterland. The outdoor swimming pool is surrounded by tropical gardens. Rejuvenate at the deluxe Vie Spa, offering body scrubs, massages, men's treatments and spa packages, in one of 10 treatment rooms. Coco's Kitchen + Bar offers hot and cold buffet breakfast options and an à la carte dinner menu utilising the region’s best quality produce. The Lobby Bar serves exotic cocktails and delicious light snacks. The Pullman Cairns is a 5-minute walk from Cairns Convention Centre. Cairns Pier is only 500 metres away.
Stay$$$$4.05/5
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
The Novotel Oasis is a 4.5 star resort featuring a gorgeous lagoon pool, complete with a sandy beach, children's pool and a swim-up bar. The hotel is a short walk from the Esplanade, Cairns city centre and the Reef Casino. Relaxed and laid back, the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort provides easy access to the many attractions of the region such as the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Cairns Convention Centre is a 5-minute drive away and Cairns Railway Station is a 15-minute walk. All air-conditioned rooms feature a private balcony, broadband internet and a flat-screen TV. They also offer a minibar and tea and coffee making facilities. Whether you seeking a casual or more formal fine dining restaurant experience, there are a range of options at Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort.
Stay$$$3.8/5
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Overlooking the Coral Sea, Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns offers rooms with a private balcony and city, mountain or ocean views. It features 3 swimming pools, 2 tennis courts Set amongst beautiful tropical gardens, Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns offers Free WiFi. All air-conditioned rooms feature contemporary décor and includes a satellite TV, a minibar and tea/coffee making supplies. A hairdryer and ironing facilities are also provided. Coral Hedge Brasserie serves a sumptuous breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Lunch is available from 12:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Dinner is available from 6 p.m. daily. It also offers 24-hour room service for guests staying at the hotel. Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns is located on The Esplanade, a 2-minute walk from Cairns Base Hospital and a 15-minute walk from the Cairns lagoon precinct.
Stay$$3.25/5
Hides Hotel Cairns
Located in the heart of Cairns, and just 10 minutes' drive from the Cairns International Airport, Hides Hotel offers affordable accommodation, a 5 minutes' walk from The Esplanade. The Heritage listed hotel offers a complimentary WiFi access. All rooms are air conditioned and include a small refrigerator and a TV. Some rooms offer tea/coffee making facilities. It features a spacious veranda with views of the city. The reception staff can assist in making bookings to iconic attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Kuranda.
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