Stratford Travel Guide
Cairns
Popular places to visit
Cairns Esplanade
Stroll along the boardwalk surrounded by palms tree and landscaped gardens and watch the sun set over the Coral Sea.
Cairns Central Shopping Centre
During your visit to Tropical North Waterfront, you can do some window-shopping at Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.
Esplanade Lagoon
Relax after a day of sightseeing or cool down from the summer heat in this fresh-water lagoon, one of Cairns’ best city attractions.
Palm Cove Beach
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.
Cairns Marlin Marina
Enjoy views of the harbour and and unwind with al-fresco dining, entertainment and shopping beside the bay.
Cairns Convention Centre
Learn about the events happening in Cairns Convention Centre during your trip to Tropical North Waterfront. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.
Top hotels in Stratford
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Rooms were lovely and clean. Staff very helpful. I was caught off guard with having to pay $30 a day for parking, so moved car around free parking on the Esplanade.
Reviewed on 4 May 2026
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Yes great place to stay
Reviewed on 6 May 2026
Hilton Cairns
Our room wasn’t cleaned properly on the second day of our stay. The rooms are very small and crammed. Water view from the balcony is very nice.
Reviewed on 7 May 2026
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
The room was very small, the bathroom was quite slippery, the bedsheets looked clean but smelled bad...one pillow case had dried booger...the admin staff almost seem not to want to engage with the guests...they charged for parking in the carpark, that should've been complimentary at least...not even ...
Reviewed on 6 May 2026
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
The hotel is quite tired and a little run down. The cleaning wasn't very good, the bathroom floor was a bit sticky and the doors and walls were quite grimy. There's not enough lighting which made reading difficult. The breakfast was very good and varied. The staff were friendly and helpful with any ...
Reviewed on 3 May 2026
Ramada By Wyndham Cairns City Centre
Very outdated rooms . Could do with renovations.
Reviewed on 27 Apr 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Stratford
Aeroglen
If you're spending some time in Aeroglen, Mount Whitfield Conservation Park and Skydive The Reef Cairns are top sights worth seeing.
Whitfield
While there might not be top attractions in Whitfield, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Mount Whitfield Conservation Park and Centenary Lakes Botanic Gardens.
Edge Hill
You'll enjoy the museums and parks in Edge Hill. You might want to make time for a stop at Centenary Lakes Botanic Gardens or Mount Whitfield Conservation Park.
Machans Beach
Though Machans Beach may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Crystal Cascades & Lake Morris and Yorkeys Knob Beach.
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.
Cairns North
Pristine beaches and ample dining options are well-reviewed features of Cairns North. Make a stop by top sights like Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland while you're exploring the area.
