Visit the Australian state of Queensland, close to the Great Barrier Reef: here’s where to stay in Cairns!
A coastal city in the state of Queensland in northeasternAustralia, Cairns is a small city of 151,021 inhabitants, located 1,707 kilometers from Brisbane – the state capital – and 2,420 kilometers north of Sydney. Founded in 1876, Cairns is a major tourist attraction in Queensland, thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef (1h30 by boat), numerous islands – including Fitzroy Island and Green Island – and therainforest, where hiking is a must. Built on former marshes and mangroves that were deforested and filled in with rock, today’s Cairns is surrounded by agricultural areas (sugar cane, corn, rice, bananas, pineapples…).
In 2012, we stayed here for 1 month after a road-trip through the desert roads of the Northern Territory and Queensland: if you’re looking for accommodation in Cairns, you’ve come to the right place: it’s a very pleasant city. The best time to visit Cairns is during the austral winter, from May to October. Please note that swimming is not recommended due to the presence of sea crocodiles and potentially deadly jellyfish.
Looking for an area and accommodation in Cairns? Here’s our overview of where to stay in Cairns, for a great stay in the tropical sun.
Downtown
Photo credit: Flickr – wherewerewe91
The city center has countless hotels and backpackers where you can stay in Cairns, and has the advantage of being close to everything, where the social life is most vibrant. Australia’s tropical climate means that people go out mainly in the evenings: the Esplanade, Abott Street and Little Spence Street are the epicentres for nightlife.
If you choose the city center, take advantage of the Blue Lagoon – especially in the mornings – an outdoor swimming pool that’s busy during the day but no less enjoyable. In the surrounding area, there are countless bars and restaurants, with a food court – the Cairns night market – adjacent to the Esplanade, and even the possibility of a free electric barbecue in the Lagoon Park.
Head to the marine terminal the next day if you’d like to head off to Fitzroy Island – a marvellous, if very touristy, island paradise off the coast of the city. For museums, visit the Cairns Museum and the Cairns Historical Museum.
Parramatta Park
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Fosnez
Want to stay in Cairns close to the city center, but without being surrounded by backpackers ? Parramatta Park is a shopping and residential district adjoining the city center and Cairns North. It adjoins Central Station and Coles, a large shopping center. It’s a very quiet area to stay in Cairns, a little out of the way but not too far away either.
Manunda
Photo credit: Flickr – skyseeker
To the west of the city center, you’ll find one of the best residential areas to stay in Cairns: to live quietly away from the hordes of tourists, yet close to the city center, the waterfront and one of the city’s must-sees: the Flecker Botanical Gardens. Manunda offers far fewer hotel establishments to stay in Cairns, but always try homestay, via Gumtree or Airbnb.
Nearby, you can visit the Botanical Gardens, then continue hiking on the slopes of Mount Whitfield Conservation Park, with incredible views over Cairns Bay. If you’re looking for accommodation in Cairns, you can book a hotel in Palm Cove, a small coastal town to the north, a must-see that will enhance your trip: it’s a beach paradise where you can stroll under coconut palms, with a few beachside restaurants. For an unusual experience, climb aboard the panoramic train, which takes you on a journey through the history and culture of the region, from Kuranda (the forest village) to Palm Cove!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Cairns,au