Cairns and Barrier Reef

Travel Guide

Cairns which includes coral, landscape views and tropical scenes
Cairns which includes cuddly or friendly animals and zoo animals
Cairns which includes dangerous animals and zoo animals as well as an individual femail
Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland
Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland
Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland
Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland

Where to stay in Cairns and Barrier Reef

Palm Cove showing a beach, a garden and tropical scenes

Palm Cove

Palm Cove is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Palm Cove Beach and Kuranda National Park.

Palm Cove
Trinity Beach showing landscape views, tropical scenes and a beach

Trinity Beach

Travelers to Trinity Beach praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach.

Trinity Beach
Clifton Beach featuring mountains, a luxury hotel or resort and golf

Clifton Beach

Travelers come to Clifton Beach for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like Clifton Beach and Palm Cove Beach while you're in town.

Clifton Beach
Yorkeys Knob showing tranquil scenes and mountains

Yorkeys Knob

Yorkeys Knob is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Yorkeys Knob Beach and Half Moon Bay Golf Course.

Yorkeys Knob
Kewarra Beach. The best of Cairns' northern beaches. Stunning.

Kewarra Beach

Unique features of Kewarra Beach include the beaches and golf courses. Make a stop by Kewarra Beach or Kuranda National Park while you're exploring the area.

Kewarra Beach
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Holloways Beach

Beaches, restaurants, and gardens are some highlights of Holloways Beach. Make a stop by Yorkeys Knob Beach or Holloways Beach while you're exploring.

Holloways Beach
Cairns Colonial Club Resort

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

4 out of 5
18-26 Cannon Street, Manunda, QLD
The price is ￥10,466 per night from Nov 4 to Nov 5
￥10,466
￥11,513 total
Nov 4 - Nov 5
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,012 reviews)
"Great place to stay!"

Reviewed on Oct 12, 2025

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

4 out of 5
209-217 Esplanade, Cairns North, QLD
The price is ￥15,586 per night from Nov 2 to Nov 3
￥15,586
￥17,145 total
Nov 2 - Nov 3
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,031 reviews)
"Our group of 4 adults explored by rental car. The Cairns Harborside Hotel was easily located from the Cairns Airport. Staff very friendly. Both outdoor and indoor dining available. Food was good. We especially enjoyed the outdoor dining and live guitar music during Happy Hour. Harborside Hotel is ..."

Reviewed on Oct 15, 2025

Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Crystalbrook Flynn

Crystalbrook Flynn

5 out of 5
85 Esplanade, Cairns, QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ￥17,939 per night from Oct 27 to Oct 28
￥17,939
￥19,733 total
Oct 27 - Oct 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (991 reviews)
"Excellent hotel for a city break. Check-in was quick and efficient. Location is excellent, right in the middle of the city. Room was clean and modern. WiFi worked well. Comfortable beds. Spacious clean bathroom. Friendly staff. Light switches are a bit confusing to work out, but not a big deal. Overall, ..."

Reviewed on Oct 9, 2025

Crystalbrook Flynn
See all 1,315 properties in Cairns and Barrier Reef
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Southern Cross Atrium Apartments

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments

4 out of 5
3-11 Water Street, Cairns, QLD
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,577 reviews)
"Lovely place"

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2025

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments
Mantra Trilogy

Mantra Trilogy

4 out of 5
101 - 105 The Esplanade, Cairns, QLD
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free parking, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,276 reviews)
"This property is in a great location to restaurants, night markets. The pool needs some maintenance, the surface of the pool is coming off and is nasty on your feet. We felt that linen could be changed every 3 days, not five, as it’s very humid. Staff were great, room was clean & tidy."

Reviewed on Oct 16, 2025

Mantra Trilogy
Sea Change Beachfront Apartments

Sea Change Beachfront Apartments

5 out of 5
31-35 Vasey Esplanade, Trinity Beach, QLD
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,345 reviews)
"Friendly staff, great facilities, beautiful views and a stone throw from the beach. It was a quiet location but lots of local shops and bars and restaurants nearby. The location was clean, well equipped and just what we needed for rest and relaxation. Had a wonderful time and wish we were staying ..."

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2025

Sea Change Beachfront Apartments
See all properties in Cairns and Barrier Reef
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cairns Esplanade which includes a pool, swimming and a luxury hotel or resort

Cairns Esplanade

4.5/5(253 reviews)

Stroll along the boardwalk surrounded by palms tree and landscaped gardens and watch the sun set over the Coral Sea.

Cairns Esplanade
Palm Cove Beach featuring a beach, tropical scenes and general coastal views

Palm Cove Beach

4.5/5(142 reviews)

Located in between the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, this palm tree-lined beach is an idyllic spot to take it easy or begin an adventure.

Palm Cove Beach
Cairns Marlin Marina which includes sailing, mountains and a marina

Cairns Marlin Marina

4.5/5(109 reviews)

Enjoy views of the harbour and and unwind with al-fresco dining, entertainment and shopping beside the bay.

Cairns Marlin Marina
Esplanade Lagoon featuring a coastal town and a hotel

Esplanade Lagoon

4.5/5(104 reviews)

Relax after a day of sightseeing or cool down from the summer heat in this fresh-water lagoon, one of Cairns’ best city attractions.

Esplanade Lagoon
Cairns Night Markets showing markets as well as a small group of people

Cairns Night Markets

4/5(148 reviews)

During your visit to Cairns, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Cairns Night Markets. Stroll along the beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area, or seek out the local tours.

Cairns Night Markets
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway showing forests and rainforest

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Station

4.5/5(206 reviews)

Soar above the treetops of the rain forest, gorges and mountains of North Queensland in a glass-enclosed cable car.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Station

Cities near Cairns and Barrier Reef

Photo by Cheskie's Gap Life

Portsmith

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway which includes rainforest and landscape views

Cairns