Macalister Range Travel Guide

Cairns

Photo by Alison Houghton
Photo by Alison Houghton

Popular places to visit

Cairns and Northern Beaches

Cairns Cable Ski

Hit the slopes at Cairns Cable Ski during your trip to Macalister Range. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Cable Ski
Cairns Esplanade showing a pool, a luxury hotel or resort and swimming

Cairns Esplanade

4.5/5(57 reviews)

Stroll along the boardwalk surrounded by palms tree and landscaped gardens and watch the sun set over the Coral Sea.

Cairns Esplanade
Palm Cove Beach

Palm Cove Beach

4.5/5(39 reviews)

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.

Palm Cove Beach
Esplanade Lagoon which includes a hotel and a coastal town

Esplanade Lagoon

4.5/5(30 reviews)

Relax after a day of sightseeing or cool down from the summer heat in this fresh-water lagoon, one of Cairns’ best city attractions.

Esplanade Lagoon
Cairns Marlin Marina

Cairns Marlin Marina

4.5/5(25 reviews)

Enjoy views of the harbour and and unwind with al-fresco dining, entertainment and shopping beside the bay.

Cairns Marlin Marina
Cairns Night Markets

Cairns Night Markets

4/5(18 reviews)

During your trip to Cairns, 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.

Cairns Night Markets

Things to do

Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Cruise

Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

฿5,354
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise
Couple snorkeling among abundant coral reefs and marine species at the Green Island Reef in Cairns

Big Cat Green Island - Great Barrier Reef Cruise

฿2,309
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Big Cat Green Island - Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Sunlover Reef Cruises Cairns Great Barrier Reef Experience

Sunlover Reef Cruises Cairns Great Barrier Reef Experience

฿6,249
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Sunlover Reef Cruises Cairns Great Barrier Reef Experience
Cairns Kuranda Skyrail and Railway Small group tour

Cairns Kuranda Skyrail and Railway Small group tour

฿5,529
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Cairns Kuranda Skyrail and Railway Small group tour
Fitzroy Island Adventures - Full Day or Half Day

Fitzroy Island Adventures - Full Day or Half Day

฿2,055
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Fitzroy Island Adventures - Full Day or Half Day
Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Agincourt Reef Cruise

Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Agincourt Reef Cruise

฿4,438
per traveller
90% of travellers recommend
Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Agincourt Reef Cruise
See all activities in Cairns

Top hotels in Macalister Range

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
5 out of 5
Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas, QLD
The price is ฿10,233 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
฿10,233
฿11,256 total
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Port Douglas. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 12 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (956 reviews)
"It was great"

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
Hilton Cairns
Hilton Cairns
5 out of 5
34 Esplanade, Cairns, QLD
The price is ฿6,001 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
฿6,001
฿6,602 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"Beautiful location, best spot in Cairns! The most amazing waterfront breakfast buffet. The rooms were clean and modern."

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2025

Hilton Cairns
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
4 out of 5
209-217 Esplanade, Cairns North, QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿3,760 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
฿3,760
฿4,136 total
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
"The staff were always very cheerful even though they were constantly busy. Just over 1km walk to downtown and the docks to depart to Great Barrier Reef. If you like cheap eats like me, I enjoyed walking to Roti Shack for a yummy roti (Caribbean savory wrap) and wish I did it more than once."

Reviewed on 8 Jul 2025

Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Pacific Hotel Cairns
Pacific Hotel Cairns
4.5 out of 5
Corner Esplanade And Spence Street, Cairns, QLD
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"It was clean, comfortable and spacious. Also the view from our place was beautiful! Love waking up to it. Another plus is that it’s close to so many tourist spots (just a 5 minute walk from the Great Barrier Reef Terminal) and food places."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Get rates
Pacific Hotel Cairns
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
4.5 out of 5
122 Lake St, Cairns, QLD
The price is ฿5,087 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
฿5,087
฿5,596 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (689 reviews)
"Great position"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
4 out of 5
18-26 Cannon Street, Manunda, QLD
The price is ฿3,116 per night from 23 Jul to 24 Jul
฿3,116
฿3,428 total
23 Jul - 24 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"We have stayed here before because it’s great for all age children"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
See all 1,921 properties in Macalister Range
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Macalister Range

Clifton Beach which includes mountains, a luxury hotel or resort and golf

Clifton Beach

Clifton Beach is known for its pristine beaches, and you can make a stop by Clifton Beach and Palm Cove Beach while in the area.

Clifton Beach
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Kewarra Beach

Unique features of Kewarra Beach include the beaches and golf courses. Make a stop by Kewarra Beach or Kuranda National Park while you're exploring the area.

Kewarra Beach
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Palm Cove

Palm Cove is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Palm Cove Beach and Kuranda National Park, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Cairns.

Palm Cove
Trinity Beach showing tropical scenes, a sandy beach and surfing

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.

Trinity Beach
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Ellis Beach

Ellis Beach is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Macalister Range National Park and Wet Tropics of Queensland.

Ellis Beach
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Trinity Park

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Trinity Park and surrounding area, you can visit Half Moon Bay Golf Course and Moon River Beach.

Trinity Park

Macalister Range Travel Guide