Comparison · Brisbane vs Cairns · Australia
Brisbane vs Cairns
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Brisbane for Brisbane River and CityCats, South Bank, free sights and a short break; choose Cairns for Great Barrier Reef, Daintree rainforest and beaches. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 1,390 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,390 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Brisbane
- April–June and August–October
- Best time for Cairns
- June–October
Side by side
| Brisbane | Cairns | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Australia | Australia |
| Known for | Brisbane River and CityCats, South Bank and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary | Great Barrier Reef, Daintree rainforest and Kuranda |
| Best time to visit | April–June and August–October | June–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 6 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$260 | $150–$260 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | January, 30°C (86°F) | December, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | June, 22°C (72°F) | June, 26°C (79°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 11 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | Esplanade Lagoon |
| Airports | BNE | CNS |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Brisbane for…
Brisbane River and CityCats, South Bank, free sights and a short break. Brisbane, Meanjin, winds along a looping river in southeast Queensland, with a compact CBD on one bend and the South Bank cultural precinct facing it across the water. CityCat ferries link riverside neighbourhoods from New Farm to the University of…
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Choose Cairns for…
Great Barrier Reef, Daintree rainforest and beaches. Cairns is the main base for the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest, two World Heritage areas that meet in Far North Queensland. Reef boats leave the Reef Fleet Terminal each morning for outer reefs, Green Island and Fitzroy Island, while the…
Top sights compared
| # | Brisbane | Cairns |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach | Outer Great Barrier Reef day trip |
| 2 | Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) | Green Island |
| 3 | Queensland Art Gallery | Fitzroy Island |
| 4 | Queensland Museum Kurilpa | Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and Boardwalk |
| 5 | Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway |
Food compared
| Brisbane | Cairns |
|---|---|
| Moreton Bay bugs | Barramundi |
| Mud crab | Mud crab |
| Tropical fruit | Tiger prawns |
| Lamington | Tropical fruit |
Which is cheaper?
Brisbane and Cairns cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $150–$260 in Brisbane and $150–$260 in Cairns (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Brisbane on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,390 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 11 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Brisbane or Cairns cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $150–$260 in Brisbane and $150–$260 in Cairns (estimates).
+Is Brisbane or Cairns better for a first trip?
Pick Brisbane for Brisbane River and CityCats, South Bank, free sights and a short break, or Cairns for Great Barrier Reef, Daintree rainforest and beaches.
+How far is Brisbane from Cairns?
About 1,390 km in a straight line.