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
The price is 3.197.559 ₫ per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
3.197.559 ₫
3.517.315 ₫ total
25 Aug - 26 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! (1,012 reviews)
Not Luxury- but good value. Great location
"The hotel is a good value for the money. It isn’t a luxury hotel. It is clean and the beds are great. It is in a great location. The rooms could use some renovation, but overall they are ok. We did notice mold in the heat vent above the shower. One disappointing thing was that the pool and hot tub ..."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns

5 out of 5
34 Esplanade, Cairns, QLD
The price is 5.570.334 ₫ per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
5.570.334 ₫
6.127.367 ₫ total
27 Aug - 28 Aug
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! (1,011 reviews)
"Amazing property, exceeded our expectations. The staff was friendly and well-trained. Eena went far and above out of her way for us. Highly recommend getting a water view balcony - it was gorgeous and well worth the upgrade!"

Reviewed on 26 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 2.232.815 ₫ per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
2.232.815 ₫
2.456.096 ₫ total
23 Aug - 24 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! (1,009 reviews)
"Beautiful resort and Robert at the reception was so helpful ."

Reviewed on 25 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! (1,248 reviews)
"Accommodation was great and close to eateries, only down fall was not enough parking for size of building. Staff were helpful"

Reviewed on 24 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

Cairns Esplanade is just one of the places to see in Cairns, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Esplanade
Palm Cove Beach

Palm Cove Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Palm Cove Beach during your travels in Cairns? While in this relaxing area, find time to visit its spas.

Palm Cove Beach
Cairns Marlin Marina

Cairns Marlin Marina

Explore the waterfront in Cairns with a trip to Cairns Marlin Marina. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

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

Esplanade Lagoon

Enjoy an outing to Esplanade Lagoon during your stay in Cairns. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

Esplanade Lagoon
Cairns Night Markets

Cairns Night Markets

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

You can take time to visit Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Station during your travels to Cairns. Discover the spectacular coral reefs and shops in this walkable area.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Station

Cities near Cairns and Barrier Reef

Cairns and Northern Beaches which includes signage

Kuranda

Photo by Cheskie's Gap Life

Portsmith

Photo by Andrew Caldwell

Lamb Range

Cairns

Cairns