Cairns and Barrier Reef

Travel Guide

Cairns and Barrier Reef
Cairns showing cuddly or friendly animals and zoo animals
Cairns showing 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 Vie Spa Palm Cove.

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
Our heated pool is covered over. Not only to protect our students from the sun - it's covered with solar panels which power our entire dive centre!

Parramatta Park

Parramatta Park is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Cazaly's Stadium and Barlow Park.

Parramatta Park
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 Half Moon Bay Golf Course and Yorkeys Knob Beach.

Yorkeys Knob
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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 P4,845 per night from 26 May to 27 May
P4,845
P5,330 total
includes taxes & fees
May 26 - May 27
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
Again and again
"I have stay here 3 times and will stay again and again. It is excellent and family friendly with a great affordable price"

Reviewed on Apr 29, 2025

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
4 out of 5
209-217 The Esplanade, Cairns North, QLD
The price is P5,531 per night from 23 May to 24 May
P5,531
P6,084 total
includes taxes & fees
May 23 - May 24
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Amazing helpful staff and great location"

Reviewed on May 1, 2025

Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
4 out of 5
209-217 Abbott Street, Cairns North, QLD
The price is P6,087 per night from 9 May to 10 May
P6,087
P6,696 total
includes taxes & fees
May 9 - May 10
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 outdoor pools, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Amazing room with a great view"

Reviewed on May 1, 2025

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
See all 1,310 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 center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,222 reviews)
"Very central to cafe's and shopping. Parking was a nightmare. Often had to pay for parking on the street. The room wasn't serviced in the 7 days we were there. You could get towels and toilet paper from reception but it would have been nice to have the room cleaned even once. There was a musty smell ..."

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2025

Mantra Trilogy
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 WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (736 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay."

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2025

Coral Sands Resort
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! (1,536 reviews)
"We arrived in Cairns by train and the apartments are a stone's through from the main station and the shopping mall. It's also just a 15 minute walk from the quayside with many great restaurants and is the gateway to exploring the Great Barrier Reef. The swimming pool (beside the BBQ area) was a welcome ..."

Reviewed on Apr 30, 2025

Southern Cross Atrium 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 swimming, a luxury hotel or resort and a pool

Cairns Esplanade

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

Cairns Esplanade
Cairns Marlin Marina

Cairns Marlin Marina

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

Cairns Marlin Marina
Palm Cove Beach

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.

Palm Cove Beach
Esplanade Lagoon which includes a coastal town and a hotel

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.

Esplanade Lagoon
Cairns Night Markets

Cairns Night Markets

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

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

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Station
Photo by Mike from Cairns

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