Comparison · Cairns vs Fiji · Australia / Fiji
Cairns vs Fiji
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Cairns for Great Barrier Reef, Daintree rainforest, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife; choose Fiji for Island resorts and Coral reefs and diving. Cairns is generally less expensive, and the two are about 3,357 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 3,357 km
- Less expensive
- Cairns
- Best time for Cairns
- June–October
- Best time for Fiji
- May–October
Side by side
| Cairns | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Australia | Fiji |
| Known for | Great Barrier Reef, Daintree rainforest and Kuranda | Island resorts, Coral reefs and diving and Kava ceremonies |
| Best time to visit | June–October | May–October |
| Ideal stay | 6 days | 10 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$260 | $180–$350 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | December, 32°C (90°F) | January, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | June, 26°C (79°F) | June, 28°C (82°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | Esplanade Lagoon | Natadola Beach |
| Airports | CNS | NAN, SUV |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cairns for…
Great Barrier Reef, Daintree rainforest, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife. 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…
Choose Fiji for…
Island resorts and Coral reefs and diving. Fiji is an archipelago of more than 300 islands in the South Pacific, about three to four hours' flight north of Auckland and Sydney. Nearly every international visitor lands at Nadi on the west of the main island, Viti Levu, then heads to the resorts of…
Top sights compared
| # | Cairns | Fiji |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Outer Great Barrier Reef day trip | Mamanuca island day cruise |
| 2 | Green Island | Blue Lagoon |
| 3 | Fitzroy Island | Sawa-i-Lau Caves |
| 4 | Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and Boardwalk | Monuriki |
| 5 | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway | Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple |
Food compared
| Cairns | Fiji |
|---|---|
| Barramundi | Kokoda |
| Mud crab | Lovo |
| Tiger prawns | Palusami |
| Tropical fruit | Rourou |
Which is cheaper?
Cairns is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $150–$260 per person there, against $180–$350 in Fiji (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cairns on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 3,357 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 17 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cairns or Fiji cheaper?
Cairns is usually less expensive: about $150–$260 a day mid-range against $180–$350 (estimates).
+Is Cairns or Fiji better for a first trip?
Pick Cairns for Great Barrier Reef, Daintree rainforest, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife, or Fiji for Island resorts and Coral reefs and diving.
+How far is Cairns from Fiji?
About 3,357 km in a straight line.