Where to stay · Cairns · Australia
Where to stay in Cairns
7 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Cairns City and Esplanade. Compact tropical centre of waterfront hotels, the lagoon, night markets and reef-tour desks.
Key facts
- First visit
- Cairns City and Esplanade
- Families
- Cairns City and Esplanade
- Budget
- Cairns City and Esplanade
- Nightlife
- Cairns City and Esplanade
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Cairns City and Esplanade | Compact tropical centre of waterfront hotels, the lagoon, night markets and reef-tour desks |
| Families | Cairns City and Esplanade | Compact tropical centre of waterfront hotels, the lagoon, night markets and reef-tour desks |
| Couples | Cairns North | Quieter northern stretch of the Esplanade with resorts and apartments |
| Budget | Cairns City and Esplanade | Compact tropical centre of waterfront hotels, the lagoon, night markets and reef-tour desks |
| Luxury | Palm Cove | Resort village of melaleuca-shaded beachfront, day spas and restaurants |
| Nightlife | Cairns City and Esplanade | Compact tropical centre of waterfront hotels, the lagoon, night markets and reef-tour desks |
| Solo travellers | Cairns City and Esplanade | Compact tropical centre of waterfront hotels, the lagoon, night markets and reef-tour desks |
| Quiet stays | Cairns North | Quieter northern stretch of the Esplanade with resorts and apartments |
| Beach | Trinity Beach | Family-friendly northern beach with a stinger net and beachfront restaurants |
Cairns neighbourhoods in detail
$$ · Best for first-timers, budget, nightlife, solo travellers and families
Cairns City and Esplanade
The city centre runs along the Esplanade, with the free Esplanade Lagoon, a 2.5-km boardwalk over the mudflats, the night markets and dozens of restaurants and bars. The Reef Fleet Terminal, where most reef boats depart, is at its southern end, and most tour pick-ups start here. It has the widest range of hotels and hostels.
- Good
- Walk to reef boats, food and nightlife; Free lagoon swimming; Widest choice of accommodation
- Watch out
- No swimming beach — the shore is mudflats; Busy backpacker scene around Shields Street at night
- Nearby
- Esplanade Lagoon, Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns Night Markets, Rusty's Markets
$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and families
Cairns North
North of the city centre, the Esplanade continues past apartment hotels and resorts with sea views across Trinity Inlet's mouth towards the ranges. It is a ten-to-twenty-minute walk along the waterfront path to the lagoon and restaurants, and noticeably calmer at night.
- Good
- Quieter than the centre; Sea views at fair prices; Waterfront walking path
- Watch out
- Walk or short ride to restaurants; Some older properties
- Nearby
- Cairns Esplanade, Cairns Botanic Gardens
$$ · Best for quiet stays and couples
Edge Hill
Edge Hill sits about 4 km northwest of the centre at the foot of Mount Whitfield, with the Cairns Botanic Gardens, the Tanks Arts Centre, Centenary Lakes and a small village of cafés and shops. It has B&Bs and holiday homes and is close to the airport.
- Good
- Greenery and walking tracks; Close to the airport; Local village feel
- Watch out
- Need transport for reef boats and nightlife; Limited accommodation
- Nearby
- Cairns Botanic Gardens, Mount Whitfield Conservation Park, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns Airport
$$ · Best for families, beach and quiet stays
Trinity Beach
Trinity Beach, about 20 minutes north of the city, curves around a sheltered bay with a summer stinger net, a patrolled swimming area and a short strip of restaurants and holiday apartments along Vasey Esplanade. It is quieter and cheaper than Palm Cove.
- Good
- Real swimming beach; Apartments with kitchens; Calm, local atmosphere
- Watch out
- Need a car or bus to reach the city; Few evening options
- Nearby
- Palm Cove, Yorkeys Knob, Clifton Beach
$$$$ · Best for couples, luxury, beach and quiet stays
Palm Cove
Palm Cove, about 25 minutes north of Cairns, lines Williams Esplanade with old paperbark (melaleuca) trees, low-rise resorts, spas and restaurants facing a patrolled beach with a stinger net. It is the region's most polished beach village and a short drive to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures.
- Good
- Beautiful beachfront setting; Upscale restaurants and spas; Peaceful
- Watch out
- Expensive; Little nightlife; Far from the Reef Fleet Terminal
- Nearby
- Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, Clifton Beach, Trinity Beach
$$$$ · Best for couples, luxury, families and beach
Port Douglas
Port Douglas, about 65 km north of Cairns, has the long Four Mile Beach, the restaurants and boutiques of Macrossan Street and a marina where reef boats depart for the Low Isles and Agincourt Reef. It is closer to Mossman Gorge and the Daintree, and many travellers split their stay between here and Cairns.
- Good
- Closer to the Daintree and outer reefs; Beach and restaurants within walking distance; Relaxed resort town
- Watch out
- About an hour from Cairns Airport; Higher prices
- Nearby
- Four Mile Beach, Mossman Gorge, Daintree River
$$ · Best for quiet stays, couples and culture
Kuranda
Kuranda sits in rainforest about 25 km northwest of Cairns at the top of the Skyrail and the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Its markets, butterfly sanctuary and wildlife parks fill with day-trippers by late morning, but a few lodges and guesthouses let you see the village quiet in the evening.
- Good
- Rainforest setting; Cooler at altitude; Peaceful after the day-trippers leave
- Watch out
- Very few places to stay; Far from the coast and reef boats
- Nearby
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Barron Falls
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Cairns City and Esplanade | $$ | Esplanade Lagoon, Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns Night Markets, Rusty's Markets |
| Cairns North | $$ | Cairns Esplanade, Cairns Botanic Gardens |
| Edge Hill | $$ | Cairns Botanic Gardens, Mount Whitfield Conservation Park, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns Airport |
| Trinity Beach | $$ | Palm Cove, Yorkeys Knob, Clifton Beach |
| Palm Cove | $$$$ | Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, Clifton Beach, Trinity Beach |
| Port Douglas | $$$$ | Four Mile Beach, Mossman Gorge, Daintree River |
| Kuranda | $$ | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Barron Falls |
Getting to your hotel
Cairns Airport is about 7 km north of the city centre, roughly 10–15 minutes by taxi, ride-hail or shuttle. Shuttle buses also run to Palm Cove and Port Douglas.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Cairns for first-time visitors?
Cairns City and Esplanade. The city centre runs along the Esplanade, with the free Esplanade Lagoon, a 2.5-km boardwalk over the mudflats, the night markets and dozens of restaurants and bars.
+Where should families stay in Cairns?
Cairns City and Esplanade: Walk to reef boats, food and nightlife.
+Which area of Cairns is best for a budget stay?
Cairns City and Esplanade ($$): Compact tropical centre of waterfront hotels, the lagoon, night markets and reef-tour desks.