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

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Palm Cove

Palm Cove is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Palm Cove Beach and Kuranda National Park.

Palm Cove
Trinity Beach which includes landscape views, tropical scenes and surfing

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 showing a luxury hotel or resort, golf and mountains

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
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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 some highlights of Holloways Beach. Make a stop by Yorkeys Knob Beach or Holloways Beach while you're exploring.

Holloways Beach
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Barron

Though Barron might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Australian Armour and Artillery Museum and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Station.

Barron
Cairns Colonial Club Resort

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

4 out of 5
18-26 Cannon Street, Manunda, QLD
The price is P4,898 per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
P4,898
P5,388 total
Aug 26 - Aug 27
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,013 reviews)
"Comfortable bed and room. Restaraunt food and service good."

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns

5 out of 5
34 Esplanade, Cairns, QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P9,242 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P9,242
P10,166 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
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! (1,001 reviews)
"Great location for stay"

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Hilton Cairns
Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

4 out of 5
209-217 Esplanade, Cairns North, QLD
The price is P7,319 per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
P7,319
P8,051 total
Aug 26 - Aug 27
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Great hotel in a great location"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Cairns Harbourside Hotel
See all 1,320 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! (1,252 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 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 WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,548 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 Jul 9, 2025

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments
Sea Change Beachfront Apartments

Sea Change Beachfront Apartments

5 out of 5
31-35 Vasey Esplanade, Trinity Beach, QLD
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,327 reviews)
"Wonderful location and spacious, well-presented accommodation. Would definitely return."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Sea Change Beachfront 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
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
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
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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