Occupying a prime location that offers access to Far North Queensland and the fabled Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is a popular tourist hub. Added bonuses for visitors are abundant wildlife reserves, unspoilt beaches, and great dining and nightlife venues. Accommodation options in greater Cairns include hotels and self-catering apartments as well as campervan and camping sites in the leafy suburbs.
There is a good selection of Cairns Hotels for visitors to choose from. The varied five star establishments include the landmark Pullman Reef Hotel and Casino. This is located on the Esplanade and the downtown precinct is just behind it. There are numerous other hotels on the seafront as well as in the streets leading back from it. They range from basic backpacker to chic establishments that suit the rich and famous.
The Captain Cook Highway runs north and parallel to the coast from downtown. This road accesses the Northern Beaches. These 10 beaches include Machans. Kewarra and Ellis. There are a few additional hotels in Cairns that are dotted around these peaceful beachside suburbs. The Cairns Tropical Zoo at Palm Cove and Kuranda Koala Gardens are both in this locality.
Boat trips out to the Great Barrier Reef leave from the Trinity Inlet Port at the east end of the Cairns Esplanade. The delights of snorkelling or scuba-diving at one of the wonders of the world cannot be understated. Glass-bottomed boat tours are an alternative for those not brave or fit enough to venture into the water.
Riding the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway from the Cairns suburb of Smithfield to Kuranda provides panoramic vistas over Barron Gorge National Park. Another iconic destination in this part of Queensland is the Daintree Rainforest. Vast expanses of forest, golden beaches, coral reefs, and eclectic flora and fauna await intrepid travellers.
See a full list of over 250 Hotels in Cairns where you can check availability and compare pricing.
There are now several luxury 5 star hotels in Cairns that cater to the whims of travellers who like stylish lodgings with top-notch amenities. The Pullman Reef Hotel and Casino and the Hilton Cairns are both located at the south end of the Esplanade and are just a few minutes’ walk from Trinity Inlet Port, the departure point for Great Barrier Reef sightseeing and diving trips.
Luxury 5 Star Cairns Hotels
Bailey a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
From $122
Pullman Cairns International
From $124
Bellevue At Trinity Beach
From $126
Flynn a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
From $127
Pullman Reef Hotel Casino
From $135
Sea Temple Private Apartments
From $141
Shangri-La Hotel The Marina Cairns
From $141
Hilton Cairns
From $143
Rain-forest Apartment
From $152
Sea Change Beachfront Apartments
From $157
Vision Apartments Cairns
From $159
Sanctuary Palm Cove
From $162
Peppers Beach Club & Spa
From $164
Riley a Crystalbrook Collection Resort
From $166
The Homestead A peaceful Getaway
From $172
Murraya Exotica Place
From $190
Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore
From $202
Couples private spa beach getaway
From $227
Waters Edge Apartment Cairns
From $227
Edge Hill Holiday Home / Cairns
From $240
3121 Shiloh At The Beach Club
From $274
Cairns Luxury Seafront Apartment
From $283
5313 Beach Club Coral Suite
From $286
CELADON Holiday House
From $295
67 Casuarina Beachhouse
From $322
3123 Beach Club Paradise
From $325
Reeflections Holiday Villas
From $326
6424 Beach Club
From $352
5231 Beach Club Penthouse
From $358
The Reef House - MGallery by Sofitel
From $373
Windfall In Palm Cove
From $413
Cairns Wildlife Dome sits on top of the Reef Hotel and is an interactive rainforest attraction with tropical birds flying around. The Pullman Cairns International is on a street just at the back of the Esplanade. The location of these hotels is close to the CBD and the city’s convention centre. There are abundant outlets for shopping and dining as well as nightlife venues such as the Woolshed and Paddywhacks in the vicinity.
The Shangri-La Cairns is one of the other luxury 5 star hotels in Cairns. As with the other premium hotels, the Shangri-La has guest amenities including a shopping arcade and award-winning restaurants and bars. Although this establishment is two blocks from the seafront its balconies do offer seaviews.
Additional 5 star accommodation is located at the Northern Beaches, but these tend to be self-catering apartments. Many city visitors find themselves heading up to beaches such as Clifton and Machans in this peaceful part of town. The Captain Cook Highway links the beaches to downtown and is also the route north to Port Douglas and the Daintree Rainforest.
Cairns is the ideal base for exploring northern Queensland. Diving and sightseeing cruises for the Great Barrier Reef depart from the city’s Marlin Marina. On land, major excursion destinations include Daintree Rainforest and Chillagoe Mungana Caves National Park. Cairns offers travellers a varied collection of accommodation with luxury hotels, bungalow resorts and budget hostels among them.
4 Star Cairns Hotels
Bounce Cairns
From $10
Caravella Backpackers
From $32
Aspect Central
From $33
Cairns Sunland Leisure Park
From $40
Bohemia Resort Cairns
From $42
Palm Royale Cairns
From $45
NRMA Cairns Holiday Park
From $46
Cairns Southside International
From $47
Blue Lagoon Resort Trinity Beach
From $51
Grosvenor in Cairns
From $53
Trinity Beach Pacific
From $55
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
From $55
Coral Tree Inn Cairns
From $61
Mango Lagoon Resort & Wellness Spa
From $62
Cairns City Palms
From $64
Trinity Beach Club
From $64
Cairns Sheridan Hotel
From $69
Marlin Cove Holiday Resort
From $70
Lilybank Guest House Cairns
From $71
Imagine Drift Palm Cove
From $72
Coral Sands Beachfront Resort
From $72
South Pacific Bed & Breakfast
From $72
North Cove Waterfront Suites
From $73
Cairns Reef Apartments & Motel
From $73
Southern Cross Atrium Apartments
From $73
The Hotel Cairns
From $74
Fitzroy Island Resort
From $78
Mantra Amphora
From $78
Park Regis City Quays
From $82
On The Beach Cairns
From $82
The Reef Retreat Palm Cove
From $82
Inn Cairns Boutique Apartments
From $83
Ryan's Rest Boutique Accommodation
From $83
Villa Vaucluse Apartments
From $84
Hotel Grand Chancellor Palm Cove
From $85
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
From $85
Roydon Beachfront Apartments
From $87
Sarayi Boutique Hotel
From $87
Palm Cove Tropic Apartments
From $88
Koala Court Holiday Apartments
From $88
Sea Point on Trinity Beach
From $93
Cairns Central Plaza Apartment Hotel
From $93
Pacific Sands Apartments
From $93
181 The Esplanade
From $94
The Reef Retreat Townhouses
From $94
Nightcap at Balaclava Hotel
From $94
Cool Waters Holiday Park
From $95
Cairns Golf Course Apartment
From $95
201 Lake Street
From $96
The Abbott Boutique Hotel
From $97
Blue Lagoon Lakeside Studio
From $100
Mantra Trilogy
From $100
City Plaza Apartments
From $100
Jackies holiday Apartment
From $100
Reef Plaza Hotel Cairns
From $101
Il Palazzo Boutique Hotel
From $101
Mantra Esplanade Cairns
From $102
Reef Gateway Apartments
From $103
Marlin Waters Beachfront Apartments
From $103
Cannon Park Motel
From $106
Temple 312 Newly Refurbished Studio
From $107
The Lakes Cairns Resort
From $107
Waterfront Terraces
From $108
Cairns Beach Resort
From $110
Melaleuca Resort Palm Cove
From $111
On Palm Cove Beachfront Apartments
From $112
Amaroo At Trinity
From $112
Oaks Cairns Hotel
From $113
Argosy on the Beach
From $113
BreakFree Royal Harbour Resort
From $113
DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns
From $114
Il Centro Apartment Hotel
From $114
Coral Towers Holiday Suites
From $119
City Terraces Cairns
From $120
Cairns Harbour Lights
From $121
Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside
From $121
Mid City Luxury Suites
From $122
Pacific Hotel Cairns
From $122
Alassio Palm Cove
From $127
Getaway On Grafton
From $127
Elysium Apartments Cairns
From $129
Latania Luxury Villas Palm Cove
From $139
Cairns Luxury Apartments
From $140
Edge Apartments Cairns
From $141
Paradise in the Tropics
From $143
Beachfront Apartment with Ocean Views
From $150
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
From $157
The Villas Palm Cove
From $157
Tranquility Relax Palm Cove
From $157
Inner City Oasis
From $158
Blue Lagoon Lakeside
From $160
Cairns City Apartments
From $160
Arlington Apartments
From $161
Blue Lagoon Villa B
From $170
Piermonde Apartments
From $170
Oasis at Palm Cove
From $171
Coral Coast Resort Apartment
From $175
Drift Beach House Getaway
From $175
Costa Royale Trinity Beach
From $179
Trinity Links Resort
From $185
Cairns Aquarius
From $193
Elysium The Drift Apartment
From $194
Elysium Sea Temple Apartments
From $194
Elysium The Drift
From $194
Elysium The Beach Club
From $194
Vue Apartments Trinity Beach
From $202
Cairns Harbourview Apartment In Aquarius
From $204
Kintamani Luxury Villa
From $212
Jack & Newell Cairns Holiday Apartments
From $220
BeachView Apartments at Villa Paradiso
From $221
Blue lagoon Villa A
From $221
Park Royal Cairns
From $230
Rydges Tradewinds Cairns
From $233
Poolside Alamanda Beachfront Resort 88
From $234
Tranquility Cairns
From $235
Connemara Beachside Cottage
From $239
Mango Wood Villa Tropical Coastal living
From $246
Palm Cove Beach Apartment
From $256
The Sanctuary at Trinity Beach
From $264
Temple 313 Recently Refurbished 3BR Apt
From $267
Absolute Beachfront Alamanda Resort 14
From $283
Cairns Ocean View Apartment
From $284
Aquatica - Luxe Holiday Home
From $286
Pure Paradise I690 l'Abode
From $287
Eden Oceans Edge Palm Cove
From $303
Sea Temple Penthouse 407
From $336
Alamanda - Suite 46
From $338
Superior Luxury Apartment in the City
From $446
Luxury Living on the Beachfront
From $449
Decked Out By The Sea
From $473
Reef Encounter
From $676
People who like comfort, elegance and good amenities will discover 4 star hotels in Cairns are the optimal choice. The Pacific Hotel Cairns is a great choice offering a prime location at the end of the seafront Esplanade near the marina. Stylish accommodation and facilities such as a swimming pool and laundromat have made this a popular choice.
The Convention Centre, the business district, pubs, and the Esplanade dining and retail strip are all in this locality. Other nearby 4 star establishments include a Hilton and the Hotel Cairns. The latter provides guests with suites and rooms done out in marble and terracotta which offer a taste of heritage Queensland.
The Northern Beaches stretch up the coast from downtown and there are a few more 4 star hotels in Cairns at beaches such as Holloways and Clifton. This part of town is family-friendly, yet guests can easily get into the city on the Captain Cook Highway. The highway also travels up to Daintree where myriad draws include pristine beaches and jungle surfing through the treetops.
A good proportion of Cairns’ tourist sites are in the environs of the Northern Beaches. These include Tjapukai Aboriginal and Cultural Park, Kuranda Koala Gardens and the Tropical Zoo. The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway takes visitors on an eight-kilometre voyage of delight over Barron Gorge. This trip can be combined with riding the Kuranda Scenic Railway as Kuranda is an interchange station for the two services.
Visitors looking to conserve their funds for their particular interest or activity can check-in at budget hotels in Cairns. Even though this class of establishment is economically priced it often occupies a prime location and has good guest facilities. Lake Street and Sheridan Street run parallel to the seafront Esplanade and have quite a few cheap hotels and backpacker hostels on them.
Budget Cairns Hotels
Mad Monkey Backpackers Village
From $9
Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront
From $12
Global Backpackers Waterfront
From $15
Cairns Central YHA
From $16
Dreamtime Travellers Rest
From $16
Cairns Gateway Resort
From $43
Cairns Rainbow Resort
From $49
First City Caravilla
From $50
Cairns City Motel
From $50
Cairns City Sheridan
From $51
Beach bliss Netflix Wifi
From $52
Acacia Court Hotel
From $53
Comfort Inn Cairns City
From $54
Tropical Queenslander
From $55
Adobe Motel
From $56
Cairns Queens Court
From $56
Hides Hotel Cairns
From $56
Oasis Inn Apartments
From $57
Royal Palm Villas
From $59
Babinda Quarters
From $60
Trinity Beach House
From $63
Cairns New Chalon
From $64
Crystal Garden Resort & Restaurant
From $65
Tropical Heritage Cairns
From $69
Cairns Motor Inn
From $71
Nightcap at Edge Hill Tavern
From $72
Reef Palms
From $73
Motel Nomad
From $75
Cairns Holiday Lodge
From $77
The Palms At Palm Cove
From $78
Escape On Lake
From $80
Ibis Styles Cairns
From $83
Lake Central Cairns
From $83
Casablanca dome trinity beach
From $86
Cairns Plaza Hotel
From $90
Fishery Falls Holiday Park
From $93
Cascade Gardens
From $94
Sunshine Tower Hotel
From $96
Tradewinds McLeod Holiday Apartments
From $96
Clifton Sands Holiday Units
From $97
Tropic Towers Apartments
From $99
Ellis Beach Oceanfront Bungalows
From $104
Citysider Cairns Holiday Apartments
From $105
Inner City Value
From $110
Temple 220 Newly Refurbished Studio
From $115
The Sebel Palm Cove Coral Coast
From $118
Coral Coast Apartments Palm Cove AVC
From $122
The Beach Place
From $123
A Touch of the Bahamas MK3
From $124
Villa Marine Holiday Apartments Cairns
From $129
Hibiscus in Marlin Waters Palm Cove
From $147
Coastal Serenity
From $153
Clifton Beach House Cairns
From $161
Oceanview 19 at 181 The Esplanade
From $164
Cairns Apartment Esplanade Ocean Views
From $179
Cairns Reef & Rainforest B&B
From $186
Villa Beach Palm Cove
From $199
Tranquility Chill at Palm Cove
From $201
Palm Cove Penthouse
From $218
Beachcomber Trinity Beach
From $248
Dolce Vita Cairns
From $272
Great Northern Beach House
From $308
Beachcomber Holiday House
From $331
Private Sea Temple Penthouse 422 423
From $336
Seascape Luxury Beachfront House
From $405
Villa Tiino @ Clifton Beach
From $409
Sapphire Ridge
From $468
Cairns is the biggest city in northern Queensland and is the obvious choice to use as a start point when travelling to the abundant tourist destinations in the state. The city stretches for almost 50kms down the east coast of Queensland. A large proportion of the city’s hotels and hostels are in and around the city centre, but there are camp grounds and self-catering apartment complexes around the Northern Beaches.
The award-winning Cairns Plaza Hotel is one such option and is only minutes from the Esplanade and its shopping and café strip. Downtown Cairns is the place to be for people who like to be at the heart of the action. Marlin Marina, the Convention Centre, Gilligan’s Nightclub, a casino and a historical museum are just a few of the attractions here.
The Northern Beaches are another good place to find budget hotels in Cairns. There are establishments at beaches including Yorkeys Knob and Trinity. Staying in this locality is great for families. Nearby Smithfield is home to Tjapukai Aborigine Cultural Park and Caravonica Skyrail Cableway Station. The Skyrail takes visitors on an odyssey above virgin rainforest and the spectacular Barron Gorge.
Animal preserves themed on koalas and tropical species are also in the Northern Beaches. Captain Cook Highway travels from central Cairns past the beaches and on to the southern borders of the Daintree Rainforest. Most Great Barrier Reef diving, snorkelling and sightseeing excursions leave from Marlin Marina.
More Cairns Accommodation
A1 Motel
211 Sheridan St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 4499
Acacia Court Motel
230a Lake St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 5011
Adobe Motel
191 Sheridan St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 5511
All Round Motel Inn The Pink
263-269 Sheridan St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 4800
Angsana Resort & Spa Great Barrier Reef
1 Veivers Rd Palm Cove Cairns Queensland 4879
Telephone: (07) 4055 3000
Bay Village Tropical Retreat
Cnr Gatton & Lake Sts Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 4622
Beltana Motel
380 Mulgrave Rd Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4054 3777
Bungalow Motel
200 Aumuller St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 3277
Cairns Angler Motel
287 Lake St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4031 1666
Cairns Holiday Lodge
Cnr Thomas & Sheridan Sts Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 4611
Cairns International Hotel
17 Abbott St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4031 1300
Cairns Motor Inn
187 Sheridan St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 5166
Cairns Tropical Garden Motel
312 Mulgrave Rd Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4031 1777
Cape York
Cnr Spence & Bunda Sts Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 2008
Captain Cook Endeavour Inns
204 Sheridan St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 6811
Club Crocodile Lake St
183 Lake St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 4988
Compass Motel
232 Mulgrave Rd Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 5466
Coolabah Motel
564 Mulgrave Rd Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4054 2711
Crown Hotel
35 Shields St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 1806
Fairways Motor Inn
702 Bruce Hwy Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4054 4444
Flying Horseshoe Motel and Holiday Apartments
28/289 Sheridan St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 3022
Four Seasons Cairns
The Esplanade Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4031 2211
Glenlee Motel
560 Bruce Hwy Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4054 1009
Great Northern
69 Abbott St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 5966
Hides Hotel
City Square Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 1266
High Chaparral Motel
195 Sheridan St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 7155
Hilton International Cairns
Wharf St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4052 1599
Hospitality Inn Cairns
137 Lake St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 4933
Il Palazzo Boutique Hotel
62 Abbott St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4041 2155
Leo’s Budget Accommodation
100 Sheridan St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 1264
Lyons Motor Inn
Cnr The Esplanade & Aplin St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 2311
Newmarket Motel
Pease St Manoora Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4053 4811
Pacific International
The Esplanade P.O. Box 2325 Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 7888
Paradise Village Resort
119-121 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove Cairns Queensland 4879
Telephone: (07) 4055 3300
Poinsettia Motel
169 Lake St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 2144
Quality Harbourside Motel
209 The Esplanade Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 8999
Radisson Plaza Hotel
Pierpoint Rd Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4031 1411
Rainbow Motor Inn
179 Sheridan St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 1022
Reef Palms Motel
41 Digger St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 2599
Royal Harbour Condominium Hotel
73-75 The Esplanade Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4080 8888
Royal Palm Villas
184 McLeod St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4052 1444
Rydges Plaza Cairns
Cnr Grafton & Spence Sts Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4041 1022
The Leichhardt Motel Cairns
468 Mulgrave Rd Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4054 5499
The Reef Hotel Casino
35 Wharf St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4030 8888
Tradewinds Esplanade
137 The Esplanade Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4053 0300
Tradewinds Outrigger Motel
Cnr Abbott & Florence Sts Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 6188
Tradewinds Sunlodge
Cnr Lake & Florence Sts Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 5733
Tree Tops Motel
7 Tanner Cres. Stratford Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4055 1048
Tuna Towers Motel
145 The Esplanade Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4051 4688
Village Resort Motel
Cnr Bruce Hwy & Anderson St Cairns Queensland 4870
Telephone: (07) 4054 7700
