Cairns Beach Resort
8.3 out of 10 from 664 reviewsCairns
Full kitchen · 50–60 m² · Sleeps 4
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Aparthotels & serviced apartments in Cairns
36 stays · 17 aparthotels and 19 serviced apartments · from €106/night
Cairns is the main gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforests of Far North Queensland, and many visitors use it as a base for a week or more of day trips. Aparthotels and serviced apartments in Cairns suit that pattern well: a kitchen for early breakfasts before reef departures, a washing machine for wet swimwear and dive gear, and extra room for families who want somewhere to rest between excursions.
36 stays
Where to stay in Cairns
City centre and the Esplanade
- first-time visitors
- reef trips
- walkability
The CBD runs along the Esplanade, whose free saltwater Lagoon is a 4,800 m² public swimming pool no deeper than 1.5 m. Reef boats leave from the Reef Fleet Terminal, and Rusty's Markets and the main bus hub are within walking distance.
Stays in or near City centre and the Esplanade
- Inn Cairns · about 300 m away
- City Terraces Cairns · about 600 m away
- Cascade Gardens · about 700 m away
- Vision Apartments · about 700 m away
Edge Hill
- quiet stays
- long stays
- gardens
An inner suburb about 4 km north-west of the CBD, at the foot of Mount Whitfield, Edge Hill is home to the heritage-listed Flecker Botanic Gardens, the Centenary Lakes and the Tanks Arts Centre, a former wartime naval fuel depot. It is a leafy residential area within easy reach of the centre.
Trinity Beach
- beach
- families
- long stays
About 20 km from the CBD, Trinity Beach has a mile-long beach with a foreshore esplanade lined with resorts and apartments, backed by a residential suburb. It is on Kinetic's northern beaches bus network.
Yorkeys Knob
- quiet stays
- beach
- self-drive
Yorkeys Knob is one of the smaller northern beach communities between the airport and Trinity Beach. It is quieter than the city and has a local bus, route 112, to the Smithfield shopping centre, where you can change for the city.
Palm Cove
- couples
- beach
- resort stays
About 22 km from Cairns, Palm Cove is a resort village of apartments and resorts along the palm-lined Williams Esplanade. Bus route 110 runs from here to Cairns Central in the city.
Getting around Cairns
Cairns Airport, about 7 km north of the city centre, is one of Australia's busiest. Shuttle buses run between the airport and hotels, the city centre, the Northern Beaches, Palm Cove and Port Douglas, and taxi ranks are outside both the domestic and international terminals.
Local buses are run by Kinetic under contract to Translink, with around 18 routes from Palm Cove and Trinity Beach in the north to Gordonvale in the south; route 110 runs from Palm Cove and route 111 from Kewarra Beach to Cairns Central. Bring cash, as buses do not take credit cards. The Kuranda Scenic Railway leaves Cairns station each morning for the rainforest village of Kuranda, a journey of about two hours that stops at Freshwater station on the way.
Living in Cairns for longer
Rusty's Markets in the CBD, between Grafton and Sheridan Streets, opens from Friday to Sunday with about 180 stalls selling tropical fruit, vegetables, flowers, bread, seafood and street food; it is the best place to stock an apartment kitchen. The Esplanade Lagoon is free and open year-round, which makes it a useful alternative to the sea.
From October to May is stinger season, and sea swimming at the northern beaches is only recommended inside the stinger net enclosures; crocodiles may be present in creeks and estuaries. On a longer stay, a hire car is the easiest way to explore the Atherton Tablelands, the Daintree and the quieter beaches north of the city.
When to visit Cairns
Cairns has a tropical monsoon climate. Average highs range from about 26°C in July to about 32°C in January, and annual rainfall is just under 2,000 mm, with the wet season from December to April bringing the heaviest downpours. The busiest period is June to August, especially the first two weeks of July when school holidays peak.
Stinger season runs from October to May, so swimming at the northern beaches is best inside the net enclosures during those months.
The compact city centre sits on the waterfront Esplanade, while a string of beach suburbs runs north towards Palm Cove. Further up the coast, Port Douglas is the closest alternative base for the reef and the Daintree.
Long-stay tips for Cairns
Of the 36 properties here, 30 offer an in-apartment washing machine, 3 list a laptop-friendly workspace, 14 include some form of housekeeping and 1 have a 24-hour front desk. If you are staying more than a few nights, compare the facts box on each property page first.
34 properties list a full kitchen and 2 only a kitchenette, so check the room type if you plan to cook more than simple meals.
Where room sizes are published, the median apartment here is 80 m².
Moving for work? Our guide to serviced apartments for relocation explains what to look for.
Aparthotel prices in Cairns
We checked prices for 10 properties on 7 October 2026 (2 adults, 2 nights, about two weeks ahead). The lowest "from" price was €106 per night, the median €177 and the highest €310. The cheapest at that time was Motel Nomad. Prices change daily, so use the search box for your own dates.
Other cities in Australia
Comparing destinations? See aparthotels in Gold Coast, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Port Douglas, Mooloolaba, Perth and Maroochydore.
| Price per night (from) | Properties |
|---|---|
| €100–€149 | 3 |
| €150–€199 | 3 |
| €200–€249 | 1 |
| €250–€299 | 2 |
| €300–€349 | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Cairns?
The city centre near the Esplanade is best for reef trips and walkability. Trinity Beach and Palm Cove suit beach holidays, while Edge Hill is a quieter residential option close to the botanic gardens.
How do I get from Cairns Airport to the city?
The airport is about 7 km north of the city. Shuttle buses run to the city centre and hotels, and taxi ranks are outside both terminals.
Can you swim in the sea in Cairns?
In the city, the free Esplanade Lagoon is the place to swim. On the northern beaches, stinger net enclosures are available during stinger season, from October to May.
When is the best time to visit Cairns?
June to August is the busiest period, with average highs around 26°C in July. The wet season from December to April is hotter and brings the heaviest rain.
Are there buses from Cairns to Palm Cove?
Yes. Translink route 110, run by Kinetic, runs from Palm Cove to Cairns Central in the city.
How many aparthotels are there in Cairns?
We currently list 36 aparthotel and serviced apartment properties in Cairns.
How much does an aparthotel in Cairns cost?
On 7 October 2026, "from" prices ranged from €106 to €310 per night, with a median of €177.
Do aparthotels in Cairns have kitchens?
36 of the 36 properties we list have a kitchen or kitchenette in at least one apartment type.
Sources
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