Cairns Hotel & Travel Destination Guide

Cheaper Hotel Rates - Your ultimate source for Cheap, Discount Cairns Hotel Rates & Detailed Travel Information

Country Code: AU
Source: Fastcheck Arrival Guides

Population:
124,000

Tourist information:
The Gateway Discovery Centre
51 The Esplanade
Opening hours: 8.30am to 6.30pm; public holidays from 10am to 6pm
Tel: (07) 4051 3588
www.tropicalaustralia.com.au

Cairns

People have been flocking to Cairns in search of treasure since the first gold rush. However today, prospectors come to mine the abundance of natural and environmental treasures that surround the city. With the tropical Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef in close proximity, Cairns attracts a young and intrepid crowd that adds to the vibrancy of this lively and welcoming city.

Cairns City

The city’s landmark is the Esplanade, which fringes the shoreline for 2 km andprovides a place for locals and visitors towalk, cycle, lounge by the lagoon and justgenerally enjoy the sun. As the focal point of the city, the Esplanade is always alive with various musical and cultural events and is also home to many fine restaurants and bars.

Just back from the Esplanade is City Place, a modern European styled piazza where there are plenty of shopping and eating opportunities and many of the city’s cultural and entertainment attractions. Dotted around this area, particularly along Wharf Street, you will also find a number of Cairns older and historical buildings with their signatory wide verandas and porches.

Outside of the Central district, the suburb of Edgehill is home to the Tanks Centre, a lively local arts space, the Flecker Botanical Gardens and the Whitfield Range Environmental Park. Whilst for those looking to hit the beach there is a bus service running to some spectacular stretches of sand about 15 minutes north of the city.

Things to See and Do in Cairns

The Esplanade
Stroll along the prom, splash about in the lagoon, enjoy some of the free events or just soak up the sun.
Phone: (07) 4044 3715
Internet: www.cairns.qld.gov.au/tourism/esplanade_foreshore/index.htm

Cairns Historical Museum
Exhibition displaying the history of Cairns.
Address: Cnr Lake & Shields St, City Place
Phone: (07) 4051 5582
Internet: www.cairnsmuseum.org.au

Cairns Regional Gallery
Exhibitions showcasing the visual art of Far North Queensland.
Address: Cnr Abbott & Shields Streets
Phone: (07) 4046 4800
Internet: www.cairnsregionalgallery.com.au/index.html

Flecker Botanical Gardens
Learn about Aboriginal plant use, wonder at the sites of the flora and fauna and breathe in the views over Cairns
Address: Collins Avenue, Edge Hill
Phone: (07) 4044 3398
Internet: www.cairnsattractions.com/a_flecker-botanical-gardens.html

Cairns Rainforest Dome
Meet the animals and learn about thefragile ecology of the rainforest.
Address: Reef Hotel, 35-41 Wharf Street
Phone: (07) 40 317 250
Internet: www.cairnsdome.com.au

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
Aboriginal cultural park showcasing the culture and beliefs of the rainforest people of Tropical North Queensland.
Address: Kamerunga Road, Smithfield
Phone: (07) 4042 9900
Internet: www.tjapukai.com.au

Kurunda Scenic Railway & Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Stunning train ride to the charming town of Kurunda and a return journey by cable car across the canopy of the rainforest.
Address: Cairns Railway Station, Bunda Street
Phone: (07) 4036 9333 (07) 4038 1555
Internet: www.ksr.com.au/ www.skyrail.com.au/

Great Barrier Reef
No trip to Cairns would be complete without a day spent exploring the Great Barrier Reef. One of the largest and most experienced reef cruise operators is Quicksilver which operates daily cruises to the outer reef and islands from Cairns and Port Douglas. The company has over 50 Great Barrier Reef sites dive and eleven major vessels in its fleet.
Address: Marina Mirage Port Douglas/Reef Fleet Terminal Cairns
Phone: (07) 4087 2100
Internet: www.quicksilvergroup.com.au

Daintree Rainforest
Experience the splendour of this world heritage listed rainforest.
Internet: www.daintreerainforest.com

Dining in Cairns

The cuisine of Cairns is similar to the rest of Australia in that it has absorbed many influences from the migrants who have arrived at its shores. Thus there is a fusion of South East Asian and Mediterranean influences with more traditionally Western style traditions. Cairns also draws on the natural environment for its sources and thus there is an abundance of fresh seafood, native meats and locally produced fruit and vegetables.

Cafe China Seafood Restaurant & Noodle Bar
Award winning restaurant known for its exquisite Chinese infused seafood cuisine.
Address: Rydges Plaza Complex, Cnr Spence & Grafton St
Phone: (07) 4041 2828
Internet: www.cafechina.com.au

Red Ochre Grill
Contemporary styled restaurant bringing an imaginative approach to native food.
Address: 43 Shield Street
Phone: (07) 4051 0100
Internet: www.redochregrill.com.au

2 Fish Seafood Restaurant
Seafood lovers will delight in the innovative and creative cuisine. Delicious!
Address: Pierpoint Rd, The Pier Marketplace
Phone: (07) 4041 6850
Internet: www.2fishrestaurant.com.au

Tamarind Restaurant
Exclusive restaurant serving a delicious mix of Asian and Western cuisine in an intimate setting!
Address: Reef Hotel, 35-41 Wharf St
Phone: (07) 4030 8888
Internet: www.reefcasino.com.au/tamarind.php

C’est Bon
A taste of France in the tropics! Excellent food and beautiful surroundings!
Address: 20 Lake Street
Phone: (07) 4051 4488
Internet: www.cestbon.com.au/index2.html

Verdi’s Italian Restaurant
Excellent Italian cuisine and seafood dishes.
Address: Cnr Shields & Sheridan Streets
Phone: (07) 4052 1010
Internet: www.verdis.com.au

Tropics Restaurant
Sample five star quality food at affordable prices at the local college’s training restaurant, where the chefs of the future cook up a storm.
Address: Tropical North Queensland TAFE, Gatton St
Phone: (07) 4042 2477
Internet: www.tnqit.tafe.qld.gov.au/features.php?link=tropics

Cairns Cafes

Boardwalk Café
Drink in the sights of the marina, whilst enjoying the divine selection of coffee and cakes.
Address: Shop 1B Pier Marketplace
Phone: (07) 40315496

Coast Roast Coffee
Overlooking the Cairns lagoon, this is the perfect location for a spot of people watching
Address: Cairns Esplanade
Internet: www.coastroast.com.au/home.html

Coffee Bean Estate
Sensational location and in-house roasted beans make this a coffee connoisseur’s dream.
Address: Pierpoint Rd, Pier Marketplace
Phone: (07) 4051 3688

Fusion Organics
Excellent selection of food and drink, catering specifically for Vegetarians!
Address: Cnr Aplin & Grafton Sts
Internet: www.fusionorganics.com.au

Tiny’s Juice Bar
Sample the fruits of the rainforest and get your energy levels soaring for the day ahead.
Address: 45 Grafton Street
Phone: (07) 4031 4331

Cairns Bars and Nightlife

After a hard day’s trekking through the rainforest or diving on the reef, hit the town and share a few stories and a few beers with the crowds who converge on the city’s bars after dark. Be prepared to party hard!

If you’ve still got the energy after the day’s exertions and the night’s shenanigans, then hit one of Cairns nightclubs where the party continues until the early morn.

Gilligan’s Backpackers Bar
Renowned party venue! Lively open air barwith party games.
Address: 57-89 Grafton Street
Internet: www.gilligansbackpackers.com.au/bars.html

The Pier Bar
Great place to down a few beers whilst watching the sunset from the deck…awesome!
Address: Pier Marketplace
Internet: www.pierbar.com.au

The Woolshed
Late night watering hole popular with the backpacking crowd! Riotous fun!
Address: 24 Shields Street
Internet: http://www.thewoolshed.com.au/

Pj O’briens
Great atmosphere, live music and excellent drinks!
Address: 87 Lake Street
Internet: www.pjobriens.com.au/pj_main.htm

Velvet Underground
Claiming the crown as Cairns top dance club, with top international DJ’s and Ministry of Sound club nights!
Address: The Reef Hotel Casino, 38-41 Wharf St
Internet: www.canz.com.au/velvetunderground.html

Soho Nightclub
Seriously funky dance club that attracts a top line up of international DJ’s!
Address: Corner of Esplanade and Shields St
Internet: www.sohonightclub.com

Pure
A small and intimate dance club creating a fun and laidback vibe!
Address: 57-89 Grafton Street
Internet: www.gilligansbackpackers.com.au/bars.html

Johnos
Renowned Blues club with local and international performers.
Address: Corner of Abbot and Aplin St
Internet: www.cairns.net.au/~pedro/johnos

Cairns Tropic Jazz Club
Excellent array of domestic and internationally acclaimed Jazz stars.
Address: Historic Cairns Yacht Club, Wharf St
Internet: www.tropicjazz.org.au

Shopping in Cairns

If by some quirk you tire of the natural abundance of beauty surrounding you and you’re looking to splash some cash and revel in the pleasures of some serious shopping, then Cairns has a host of different consumer options.

The Central Business District is the major place to head for where you will find a number of boutiques selling that must have outfit, through to the arts and craft shops selling local Aboriginal handcrafted works and other souvenirs.

For that air-conditioned shopping mall experience head Cairns Central which has 170 speciality shops and department stores. Look out for Aussie Bush Hats and Oilskins, where you can pick up all the equipment needed for a trek in the rainforest (http://www.aussiebushhats.com.au/catalog/default.php). Nearby on the Esplanade is The Pier Market Place which also has a wide range of speciality shops but which is particularly good for souvenirs and art.

However if you prefer your shopping experience to be a little more real and wholesome then head to one of Cairns many markets. On the Esplanade there is a nightly market (16.00-23.00) and on Saturday there are stalls selling some wonderful jewellery. However be sure to save some money for Rusty’s Market held at Gilligan’s Backpackers Hostel every weekend, where you can pick up some of the region’s finest food.

Cairns Hotels

Luxury Cairns Hotels

Sofitel Reef Casino
Beautifully styled rooms with private balconies and all the amenities expected of this class of hotel.
Address: 35-41 Wharf Street

Click here to check Sofitel Reef Casino Cairns Cheapest Hotel Rates

Shangri-la Hotel
Set on the marina this hotel provides minimalist style chic with some rooms having views over the bay.
Address: Pierpoint Road

Click here to check Shangri-La Hotel Cairns Cheapest Hotel Rates

Good Value Cairns Hotels

Hilton Cairns
Overlooking Trinity Bay and with stylish, well appointed rooms.
Address: 34 The Esplanade

Click here to check Hilton Hotel Cairns Cheapest Hotel Rates

Golden Sands Beachfront
Golden Sands Beachfront Resort is a boutique 4 Star property which has one and two bedroom self contained apartments,all have a private ocean facing balcony. Each floor has lift access from the basement carpark.Laze around the lagoon style pool, swim the coral sea, enjoy a game of tennis or just stroll along the long stretch of sandy beach. Dine in style under the palms at our on-site licensed a-la-carte restaurant “Jai’s On The Beach” with the Coral Sea only metres away. Close proximity to all major tourist attractions including rainforest, reef trips plus adventure tours, rafting ballooning etc. Broadband Highspeed Internet plus free wireless hotspot for laptop users.
Address: 12 - 14 Deauville Close, Yorkeys Knob Beach, Cairns 4878

Click here to check Golden Sands Beachfront Cairns Cheapest Hotel Rates

Cheap Cairns Hotels

Queens Court Hotel Cairns
Cairns Queens Court is a pristine 3 1/2 star property, centrally located, offering the traveller a choice of quality varying room styles. A 300 metre walk brings you to all the tourist facilities including the esplanade, shopping, night markets, cafe’s, reef and rainforest departures. All tours pick up and drop off at Queens Court Property features include tropical gardens and pool, guest laundry, Bistro dining, transit lounge, BBQ facilities, internet facilities and off street parking. All rooms have cable television, airconditioning, refrigerators,tea/coffee making facilities and are serviced daily.
Address: 167 - 171 Sheridan Street, Cairns Queensland 4870

Click here to check Queens Court Hotel Cairns Cheapest Hotel Rates