Cairns North Travel Guide

Cairns

The Cairns Lagoon at sunrise in Tropical North Queensland
The Cairns Lagoon at sunrise in Tropical North Queensland
Cairns Esplanade which includes night scenes
Cairns Esplanade featuring a park as well as a couple
Cairns Esplanade which includes a sandy beach, swimming and a pool

Popular places to visit

Cairns Esplanade showing a pool, a luxury hotel or resort and swimming

Cairns Esplanade

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 featuring a beach, tropical scenes and general coastal views

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
One of best things to do in Cairns is ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway. It's a 90 minute journey that takes you down the mountain to Cairns passing waterfalls, scenic lookouts and over old bridges. Catch the Skyrail up the mountain from Cairns and then catch the train back down. Or, vice versa.

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.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre
Cairns Marlin Marina which includes sailing, mountains and a 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
Esplanade Lagoon which includes a hotel and a coastal town

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 Convention Centre, Queensland: Aerial Photo of Iconic Architecture, Urban Landscape, Waterfront, and City Infrastructure in Tropical North Queensland, Australia

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.

Cairns Convention Centre

Things to do

relaxing at the deck of a ship in Australia

Full-Day Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Snorkeling Tour

£139
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Full-Day Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Snorkeling Tour
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Cruise

Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

£132
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise
passengers aboard amphibious DUKW drive through jungles in Cairns

Army Duck Tour of the Rainforest

£17
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Army Duck Tour of the Rainforest
Kuranda Scenic Rail & Skyrail including Gold Class

Kuranda Scenic Rail & Skyrail including Gold Class Tickets

£144
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Kuranda Scenic Rail & Skyrail including Gold Class Tickets
Pure Snorkelling has 15 exclusive snorkel locations of off Cairns across 8 different reefs! The most of any snorkel boat in the region.

Half Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour

£104
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Half Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour
Wavedancer Low Isles Cruise on Luxury Sailing Catamaran

Wavedancer Low Isles Cruise on Luxury Sailing Catamaran

£139
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Wavedancer Low Isles Cruise on Luxury Sailing Catamaran
See all activities in Cairns

Top hotels in Cairns North

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

4 out of 5
209-217 Esplanade Cairns North QLD
The price is £71 per night from 24 Mar to 25 Mar
£71
24 Mar - 25 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
Food at the restaurant was very good!

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2026

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 £80 per night from 27 Mar to 28 Mar
£80
27 Mar - 28 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 outdoor pools and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
Nice big rooms. The shower over bath is a bit outdated. Remote for TV needs to be replaced as had a hard time turning it on

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2026

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Hotel Tropiq

Hotel Tropiq

3.5 out of 5
179 Sheridan Street Cairns North QLD
The price is £53 per night from 21 Mar to 22 Mar
£53
21 Mar - 22 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
7/10 Good! (516 reviews)
Not really sure it was great

Reviewed on 20 Feb 2026

Hotel Tropiq
Bohemia Resort Cairns

Bohemia Resort Cairns

3 out of 5
231 Mcleod Street Cairns North QLD
The price is £37 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
£37
9 Mar - 10 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal are located nearby.
6.4/10 (1,000 reviews)
Cheap and awesome

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Bohemia Resort Cairns
Cairns Sheridan Hotel

Cairns Sheridan Hotel

4 out of 5
295 Sheridan Street Cairns North QLD
The price is £89 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
£89
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Room is quiet, clean and maintained

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2026

Cairns Sheridan Hotel
Cairns City Palms

Cairns City Palms

4 out of 5
199 Sheridan Street Cairns North QLD
The price is £78 per night from 21 Mar to 22 Mar
£78
21 Mar - 22 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly motel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a business centre and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (525 reviews)
The staff was amazing! I loved being able to cook and they were extremely generous if I needed anything!

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Cairns City Palms
See all 1,346 properties in Cairns North
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.

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Other neighbourhoods around Cairns North

Default Image

Manunda

Shopping, gardens and spas are some highlights of Manunda. You might stop by Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland or Cairns Performing Arts Centre while you're in the area.

Manunda
Cairns which includes a city

Cairns Central Business District

4.5/5(69 area reviews)

Cairns Central Business District is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Esplanade Lagoon and Cairns Marlin Marina.

Cairns Central Business District
Aerial view above Rhodes with views to Wentworth Point and Concord West with Parramatta River in Sydney NSW Australia

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
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.

Edge Hill
Jack Barnes Bicentennial Mangrove Boardwalk in a coastal area of the Coral Sea in Cairns, Northern Queensland, Australia

Aeroglen

If you're spending some time in Aeroglen, Mount Whitfield Conservation Park and Skydive The Reef Cairns are top sights worth seeing.

Aeroglen
CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - 27 MARCH 2016. The Esplanade in Cairns with

Westcourt

You'll enjoy the casinos and shopping in Westcourt. You might want to make time for a stop at DFO Cairns or Cazalys Cairns.

Westcourt

Cairns North Travel Guide

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