Cairns and Barrier Reef Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Visit Cairns and Barrier Reef
Where to stay in Cairns and Barrier Reef
Palm Cove
Palm Cove is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Palm Cove Beach and Vie Spa Palm Cove, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Cairns.
Trinity Beach
Trinity Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Cairns.
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.
Clifton Beach
Clifton Beach is known for its pristine beaches, and you can make a stop by Clifton Village Shopping Centre and Clifton Beach while in the area.
Bungalow
The beaches and shopping are a few reasons travellers visit Bungalow. Want to see more of the surrounding area? DFO Cairns and Cazalys Cairns are a few top sights nearby.
Barron
Barron might not have many top sights, but Australian Armour and Artillery Museum and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Station are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
Hilton Cairns
Room was clean and reasonably up to date. Staff were courteous. 30 dollars per night parking for guests seems unreasonable.
Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Had a fabulous view from my balcony; fab housekeeping; breakfast was amazingly, fairly central especially to dive/reef boats. Great stay overall.
Reviewed on 31 Dec 2025
Crystalbrook Riley
Overall, enjoyable, but a bit too expensive. Particularly good breakfast buffet - but rather expensive. The breakfast buffet is quite similar but actually slightly better at Crystalbrook Bailey, where it's also significantly cheaper. Room had an okay view but was only a few floors up, so it was more ...
Reviewed on 10 Jan 2026
Southern Cross Atrium Apartments
Lovely stay. A couple blocks back from the water, but makes it less noisy.
Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026
Drift Palm Cove
The room could have been cleaner on arrival, however overall we were happy with our stay.
Reviewed on 8 Jan 2026
Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort
Cabin was clean and tidy.
Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026
Check Cairns and Barrier Reef hotel availability
Popular places to visit
Cairns Esplanade
Stroll along the boardwalk surrounded by palms tree and landscaped gardens and watch the sun set over the Coral Sea.
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.
Cairns Marlin Marina
Enjoy views of the harbour and and unwind with al-fresco dining, entertainment and shopping beside the bay.
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.
Cairns Night Markets
During your trip to Tropical North Waterfront, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Cairns Night Markets. Stroll along the beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area or seek out the local tours.
Clifton Beach
This quiet beach north of Cairns offers long stretches of white sand and clear water.
