Must-see hotels in Cairns

  • Green Island Resort

    Cairns

    Luxurious Green Island Resort maintains a sense of privacy and exclusivity despite having sections opened to the general public, including restaurants,…

  • Bailey

    Cairns

    Billed as the 'arty one' of Cairns' three Crystalbrook Collection five-star hotels, Bailey's green, eye-catching facade is already a cityscape icon,…

  • Tropic Days

    Cairns

    Tucked behind the showgrounds (with a courtesy bus into town), this popular hostel has a tropical garden with hammocks, pool table, fresh linen and towels…

  • Travellers Oasis

    Cairns

    Folks adore this little hippy hostel, hidden away in a side street behind Cairns Central Shopping Centre. It's intimate, inviting and less party-centric…

  • Bounce

    Cairns

    Bounce is a cut above many Cairns budget spots, with tidy dorms and neat studio-style apartments with kitchen and balcony, sleeping four. The central deck…

  • Cairns Plaza Hotel

    Cairns

    One of Cairns' original high-rise hotels, the Plaza is – thanks to recent renovations and professional staff – a good choice in this price range. Rooms…

  • 201 Lake Street

    Cairns

    Looking as though it's been lifted from the pages of a trendy magazine, this gorgeous apartment complex has a stellar pool and a whiff of exclusivity…

  • Fitzroy Island Camping Ground

    Cairns

    These idyllic island bush-camp sites have showers, toilets and barbecues and can accommodate up to four people. Advance bookings through Fitzroy Island…

  • Mad Monkey

    Cairns

    This branch of the popular Mad Monkey chain has prime position on the Esplanade, with bars, restaurants and the lagoon a mere stagger away. That's…

  • The Lakes

    Cairns

    These gigantic resort apartments are a winning choice for families, groups, or anyone who wants to be away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD. All…

  • Fitzroy Island Resort

    Cairns

    This resort's tropi-cool accommodation ranges from sleek studios, suites and beachfront cabins through to luxurious apartments; the apartments and suites…

  • Lake Placid Tourist Park

    Cairns

    A mere 15-minute drive from the city centre, but far enough away to revel in rainforesty repose, this delightful spot overlooks the aptly named Lake…

  • Cairns Colonial Club

    Cairns

    A stalwart on the Cairns accommodation map since 1986, this Queenslander-style resort has a little something for everyone; families, businessfolk and solo…

  • Gilligan's Backpacker's Hotel & Resort

    Cairns

    Huge and central, Gilligan's is a loud, proud, party-hardy flashpacker resort, where all four- to 10-bed dorms have bathroom and most have balcony. Higher…

  • Harbour Lights

    Cairns

    This collection of slick self-contained apartments overlooks the marina from its prime position above the Reef Fleet Terminal. Take in the splendid views…

  • Caravella Backpackers

    Cairns

    Caravella nicely blurs the lines between backpacker hostel and budget guesthouse – if you don't want a dorm bed there's a good range of clean, private…

  • Pacific Hotel

    Cairns

    In a prime location at the southern-end start of the Esplanade, this iconic hotel has been lovingly maintained and refurbished with fresh, modern…

  • Pullman Reef Hotel Casino

    Cairns

    You'll find some of Cairns' finest rooms and best service in this five-star hotel atop the casino complex in the heart of the city. It offers a variety of…

  • Castaway's

    Cairns

    Castaway's, operating here for more than 25 years, is an intimate and very friendly hostel with a sociable pool and barbecue area, no-bunk dorms and a…

  • Shangri-La

    Cairns

    Towering over the marina, this is one of Cairns' swishest hotels. All stylishly appointed rooms and suites have private balcony; if you have cash to…

  • Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort

    Cairns

    If you're travelling with kids and don't mind being a bit out of town (8km), this holiday park is a destination unto itself. It has a massive water park,…

  • Bay Village Tropical Retreat

    Cairns

    Sleek, shiny and ever-so-slightly removed from the Cairns hubbub, this complex offers large, cool apartments (one to three bedrooms) and spacious serviced…

  • Hotel Cairns

    Cairns

    There’s a tropical charm to this bone-white boutique hotel, built in traditional Queenslander 'plantation' style with a lovely palm-filled garden and pool…

  • Cairns Sharehouse

    Cairns

    For those planning to stick around in Cairns for a month or more to work, dive or study, get in touch with Cairns Sharehouse. It manages rooms and…

  • DES Camping

    Cairns

    There's no camping around Josephine Falls, but if you're walking the Bartle Frere Track there are four basic bush camps which must be booked in advance…

  • Gecko's Backpackers

    Cairns

    Set in a beautiful old Queenslander home in the quiet but central part of town, Gecko's is backpacker hostel meets guesthouse, with no bunks and good…

  • Njoy Travellers Resort

    Cairns

    This colourful, easygoing backpackers has a lagoon pool, licensed bar area, good communal kitchen and barbecue area. There are also daily free shuttles…

  • Koala Court

    Cairns

    These tidy budget apartments all come with kitchens, private patios or balconies, and laundries. Free wi-fi, a lovely pool, a spa, lush gardens and a…

  • Reef Palms

    Cairns

    Couples and families appreciate the excellent value and friendly service at this quiet complex. The squeaky-clean apartments have cooking facilities and…

  • Cairns Central YHA

    Cairns

    Opposite Cairns Central Shopping Centre, this award-winning YHA is bright, spotlessly clean, secure and professionally staffed. En-suite rooms are…

  • Doubletree by Hilton

    Cairns

    An enviable location on the northern end of the Esplanade, 24-hour room service and stylish, modern guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows define this…

  • Floriana Guesthouse

    Cairns

    The Cairns of old still exists at this quirky art-deco guesthouse, which retains its original polished floorboards and art-deco fittings. The swirling…

  • Dreamtime Travellers Rest

    Cairns

    This hostel in a rambling old Queenslander on the city's fringe combines friendly staff with cosy rooms that are bright but not tacky. Cheap pizza, fire…

  • Cascade Gardens

    Cairns

    These tasteful tropical apartments are sparkling and bright, something that could equally be said about the cheery staff here. All apartments have good…

  • Calypso Inn

    Cairns

    Calypso is a good old party hostel, thanks to the Zanzibar Bar & Grill that attracts backpackers like moths to a flame with its regular entertainment…

  • Cairns Girls Hostel

    Cairns

    Sorry lads! This white-glove-test-clean hostel is the only female-only hostel in Queensland. Rooms are plain but clean (most have no bunks) and there's a…

  • Babinda Boulders Camping Area

    Cairns

    This small campground beside the Babinda Boulders has toilets, cold showers and free barbecues. No bookings, but there is a two-night maximum stay.

  • Babinda State Hotel

    Cairns

    This slightly ramshackle Heritage-listed building (1917) offers the kind of good, old-fashioned rooms and service you'd expect from a small-town pub,…

  • Bramston Beach Campground

    Cairns

    Right by the beach, this shady, council-run camping ground has a toilet block, hot showers, barbecues, a laundry and kids' playground.

  • Rotary Park Campground

    Cairns

    There's free camping and motorhome parking at Rotary Park on Babinda Creek just east of the highway. Hot showers are $2.

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