Hotels in Cairns
Cairns & Northern Beaches Hotels
High season in Cairns includes 2 weeks at Easter, the period from early July to early October, and the Christmas holiday through January. Book ahead in those periods. In low season (Nov–June), many hotels offer discounts or negotiate fees. Cairns has a good supply of affordable accommodations, both in the heart of the city and along the northern beaches. You don’t have to stay in Cairns city if you don’t have a car; most tour and cruise operators do transfers.
Overnighting on the Reef
The Spirit of Freedom ( tel. 07/4047 9150; www.spiritoffreedom.com.au) in Cairns offers a chance to “sleep on the Reef”aboard the 36 m (120-ft.) Spirit of Freedom, a sleek, modern motor yacht with electronic stabilizers, a widescreen TV with DVD player, comfortable lounge areas, sun decks, and 11 luxury double or quad shared cabins, each with an en suite bathroom. You will visit the popular Cod Hole and Ribbon Reef and on longer trips venture into the Coral Sea. A 3-day, 3-night trip will cost A$1,575 to A$2,375 depending on your choice of cabin and ends with a 193 km (120-mile) one-way 1-hour low-level flight from Lizard Island back to Cairns. You will fit in up to 11 dives. Prices include meals and pickup from your Cairns accommodations. Allow A$120 to A$245 extra for equipment rental. There are also 4-day and 7-day cruises to choose from (the latter a combination of both shorter trips).
Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
9 Results
- Hotel
Cairns Plaza Hotel
The harbor views at this five-story complex are better than those at most of the more luxurious hotels in Cairns. Two blocks from town, the accommodations are a good size, with fresh, appealing furnishings and modern bathrooms, all refurbished in 2012. Suites and studios have…$$In-Cairns
- Hotel
Coral Tree Inn
The focal point of this airy, modern resort-style motel a 5-minute walk from the city center is the friendly communal kitchen that overlooks the palm-lined saltwater pool and paved sun deck. It’s a great spot to cook a steak or reef fish on the free barbecue and join other guests at…$In-Cairns - Hotel
Ellis Beach Oceanfront Bungalows
On arguably the loveliest of the northern beaches, about 30 minutes from Cairns, these bungalows and cabins sit under palm trees between the Coral Sea and a backdrop of mountainous rainforest. Lifeguards patrol the beach, and there are stinger nets in season as well as a shady pool…$In-Cairns - Hotel
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
The large pool, complete with swim-up bar and a little sandy beach, is the focus of this attractive six-story resort. All the contemporary-style rooms have balconies with views over the tropical gardens, the mountains, or the pool. The suites, with a large Jacuzzi bathtub, could well…$$In-Cairns - Hotel
Pullman Reef Hotel Casino
This stylish seven-story hotel is a block from the water, with Trinity Inlet views from some rooms, and city/hinterland outlooks from others. All the rooms have lots of natural light, high-quality amenities, bathrobes, and small balconies with smart timber furniture. The Cairns…$$$In-Cairns - Hotel
Reef House Boutique Hotel & Spa
The old colonial-style Reef House has a romantic feel about it—the white walls are swathed in bougainvillea, the beds are draped in mosquito netting, and rooms have white wicker chairs. Verandah Spa rooms have a Jacuzzi on the balcony, overlook the pool, waterfalls, and lush gardens,…$$$In-Cairns - Hotel
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Despite its lack of glitz, this 14-story hotel has been the lodging of choice for a number of movie stars on location in Cairns. A 20-minute waterfront walk from downtown, the hotel offers a range of units, from hotel rooms to penthouse apartments. The one- and two-bedroom apartments…$$In-Cairns - Hotel
The Hotel Cairns
Stay at this hotel, and you get a free car to drive around in! All guests at the Hotel Cairns have free access to five Mercedes Smart Cars—or one Cabriolet Smart Car for those who like the wind in their hair. The cars are available on a first-come, first-served basis, include…$$In-Cairns - Hotel
The Reef Retreat
Tucked back one row of buildings from the beach is this little gem—a collection of contemporary studios and suites built around a swimming pool in a grove of palms and silver Paperbarks. All the rooms have cool tile floors and smart teak and cane furniture. The studios are a terrific…$$In-Cairns
