Cairns and Barrier Reef Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cairns and Barrier Reef
Cairns showing cuddly or friendly animals and zoo animals
Cairns which includes dangerous animals and zoo animals as well as an individual female
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

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Palm Cove

Palm Cove is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Palm Cove Beach and Kuranda National Park, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Cairns.

Palm Cove
Trinity Beach showing tropical scenes, a sandy beach and surfing

Trinity Beach

Trinity Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Cairns.

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

Clifton Beach

Clifton Beach is known for its pristine beaches, and you can make a stop by Clifton Beach and Palm Cove Beach while in the area.

Clifton Beach
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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
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Holloways Beach

Beaches, restaurants and gardens are just a few things travellers enjoy about Holloways Beach. Check out Yorkeys Knob Beach or Holloways Beach while you're exploring the area.

Holloways Beach
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Barron

Barron might not have many top sights, but Australian Armour and Artillery Museum and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Station are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Barron
Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

4 out of 5
209-217 Esplanade, Cairns North, QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹11,810 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹11,810
₹12,991 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
"Very nice hotel. Good breakfast. Nice view of the beach. Convenient to walking, running paths."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns

5 out of 5
34 Esplanade, Cairns, QLD
The price is ₹15,294 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
₹15,294
₹16,824 total
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
Wonderful vacation
"Hilton cairns is in a v central location. The rooms are very clean. Service staff are helpful. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Hilton Cairns
Cairns Colonial Club Resort

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

4 out of 5
18-26 Cannon Street, Manunda, QLD
The price is ₹8,138 per night from 22 Aug to 23 Aug
₹8,138
₹8,952 total
22 Aug - 23 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"My room is in the 2nd floor and don’t have an elevator, my suitcase is 30 kilos and I was struggling in their stairway, that was dangerous . I will never stay their again"

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
See all 1,319 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.
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 centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,242 reviews)
"As expected comfortable and well located. Car parking is of concern as there is not enough on site and alternative is 3-4 block walk away - not idea for female guest in evening. No valet option either"

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Mantra Trilogy
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 Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,548 reviews)
Home away from home
"Great location and facilities, just a bit dated. From 2024 to 2025, they have updated the tv set up. Shopping centre is a 2 min walk and centre of town takes 5 mins, prominade about 10 mins. Has a set of three pools where only one is heated. Great for the hot days!! Cooking facilities are always ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments
Coral Sands Resort

Coral Sands Resort

4.5 out of 5
Cnr Trinity Beach Rd & Vasey Esplanade, Trinity Beach, QLD
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (752 reviews)
"I loved gow close the beach was. The sand on the beach was rougher than i expected and the beach was more steep than I expected. It was beautiful and i enjoyed being by the ocean. The facilities were clean and the pool was nice. We were able to have groceries delivered"

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

Coral Sands Resort
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 showing a pool, a luxury hotel or resort and swimming

Cairns Esplanade

4.5/5(57 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

Palm Cove Beach

4.5/5(39 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

Cairns Marlin Marina

4.5/5(25 reviews)

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

Cairns Marlin Marina
Esplanade Lagoon which includes a hotel and a coastal town

Esplanade Lagoon

4.5/5(30 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

Cairns Night Markets

4/5(18 reviews)

During your trip to Cairns, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs 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 featuring rainforest and forest scenes

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Station

4.5/5(67 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

Cairns and Northern Beaches which includes signage

Kuranda

Photo by Mike from Cairns

Koah

Photo by Cheskie's Gap Life

Portsmith

Photo by Andrew Caldwell

Lamb Range