Cairns is a beautiful town with so much incredible nature at its doorstep. Finding a base that is comfortable, reasonable and enjoyable at a great price can be a challenge. We’ve done the hard work and found the top rated places for under $140, as rated by guests.
Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place
Guest Rating: 8.7
Deluxe Twin- Indicative Price: $138
Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place in Cairns, Queensland, provides comfortable accommodation in a historic, heritage-listed building, 1.2 kilometres from the Cairns Convention Centre. It is surrounded by lovely tropical gardens. Guests value its peaceful setting. Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place is situated in the Parramatta Park section of Cairns, close to the airport and Coles Supermarket as well as Cairns Central shopping centre. There is free parking on the street. It is situated next to the train station, and Free WiFi is provided.
Some rooms have wonderful 5 metre-high ceilings. There is a shared bathroom for each room. The hotel has a shared kitchen that is open 24 hours a day and offers complimentary tea and coffee. There is also air conditioning in every room, which is a definite bonus in Cairns!
A TV room, small library, a sizable pool, and laundry facilities are provided.
Visitors at Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place can make plans for reef expeditions, rainforest tours, rides on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, skydiving, and white water rafting through the front desk. Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place is 400 metres from The Event Cinemas, while Cairns Regional Gallery is 1 kilometre away.
At the Great Barrier Reef one can witness the natural beauty of the region. We highly recommend snorkelling or scuba diving to see the amazing Reef. Muddy’s Playground and Reef Teach are both worthwhile stops.
Book the Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place here
NRMA Cairns Holiday Park
Guest Rating: 8.4
Standard Room- Indicative Price: $71
The NRMA Cairns Holiday Park is a great place to stay if you’re looking for inexpensive vacation accommodation in Cairns that provides a choice of great value options. From affordable backpacker lodging to contemporary flats, Cairns Holiday Park has a place to suit every budget. They also offer shady camping and RV sites, ranging from affordable unpowered campsites to private ensuite sites that give a little comfort to your trip to Far North Queensland.
When staying at Cairns Holiday Park, guests have access to the outdoor pool and the games room. This property provides accommodation about 5 minutes from the centre of Cairns.
There is a TV-equipped sitting room in the air-conditioned lodge. There are amenities for making tea and coffee, a microwave, and a refrigerator, and there is also access to communal restrooms.
The BBQ facilities are a classic way to enjoy dinner. An on-site tour desk is the ideal place to reserve all of your activities in and around Cairns. Laundry facilities are also available.
The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is a 5-minute drive from Cairns Holiday Park Lodges, while Marlin Marina, which provides access to the Great Barrier Reef, is a 10-minute drive away. Drive time to the Cairns Airport is five minutes.
Book accommodation at NRMA Cairns Holiday Park
Reef Palms
Guest Rating: 8.3
Queen Bed Studio- Indicative Price: $116
Reef Palms strives to make your stay as peaceful and comfortable as possible. It is 200 metres from the Esplanade and provides free Wi-Fi, has self-contained studios and apartments as well as a swimming pool with a jacuzzi, a barbecue area, and complete laundry facilities.
Guests can enjoy the tranquil and relaxed atmosphere of Reef Palms Cairns, within a 20-minute stroll from the centre of Cairns. The Esplanade is a 3-minute walk away, with its variety of outdoor bars and restaurants for you to choose from. The McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery and St Monica’s Cathedral are both close by, both of which tourists may want to see while they are there.
All rooms offer a kitchenette, flat screen tv, air conditioning, big internal living space and a private balcony. Your stay will be even more memorable thanks to the pool and the included breakfast. There is free parking close to Reef Palms Hotel for anyone arriving by car.
Trips to The Great Barrier Reef, Cairns Tropical Zoo, the Daintree Rainforest and Kuranda Skyrail, among other tourist destinations, can all be booked through the tour desk.
Transfers to the airport are available. Reef Palms Resort is a short 4 km from Cairns Airport.
Book accommodation at Reef Palms here
Palm Royale Cairns
Guest Rating: 8.2
Pool View Room- Indicative Price: $123
Palm Royale Cairns is located on 2.5 acres of lovely tropical gardens. It is a 150-room boutique resort with several lodging options. Rooms have private balconies and views of the pool or gardens. It has a spa pool and two swimming pools as well as free wifi.
The Palm Royale is only 10 minutes by car from the heart of Cairns, and it takes 15 minutes to get to the airport. The majority of well-known airport shuttle companies pick up and drop off at the hotel. The distance to Tjapukai Cultural Park is 15 minutes by car.
All of the rooms have air conditioning and have relaxing, Mediterranean-inspired interior design. There is a refrigerator, TV, and tea and coffee making equipment in each room.
Dry cleaning and automobile rental services are available at Cairns Palm Royale. The tour desk can advise visitors on nearby sights to see and assist in making travel arrangements.
Palm Royale Cairns is a fantastic place to stay while you explore Cairns and Tropical North Queensland.
Book a night at the Palm Royale Cairns here
Gilligan’s Backpacker Hotel & Resort Cairns
Guest Rating: 8.2
Twin Hotel- Indicative Price: $132
The centrally located Gilligan’s Backpackers is a vibrant, social, young and fun resort. The lodging options at Gilligan’s Backpackers include both standard hostel dorms and hotel rooms. It’s motto is stay, play and explore and many guests comment on the social aspect of this accommodation. Featured are a lagoon-style pool, an outdoor bar, and big LED TVs with sporting events and free linen. Each room has air conditioning and a private bathroom. WiFi is also available for free.
At Gilligan’s Cairns, each of the four stories includes a contemporary kitchen and lounge area where guests may unwind, read a book, watch TV, or meet new people on those lazy days.
Next door to the well-known Rusty’s Market, Gilligan’s guests are able to explore the 180 stalls selling everything from exotic fruits to mouth watering delicatessens, seafood, international food and beverages and more. Gilligan’s Cairns is also surrounded by boutique stores, cafés, and nightclubs. The Esplanade, Reef Terminal, and Kuranda Railway Station may all be reached on foot.
There is always something to do and someone to play with thanks to the large pool and bars, which are open daily from 10 am. At Gilligan’s, they pride themselves on offering top-notch entertainment year-round, including live music, nightly events, and a world-class venue.
You can book accommodation at Gilligan’s Backpacker Hotel & Resort Cairns here
Bay Village Tropical Retreat & Apartments
Guest Rating: 8.1
Studio Room- Indicative Price: $125
Bay Leaf Tropical Retreat and Apartments is a Balinese-themed boutique hotel set within luxuriant tropical grounds. Ideally situated, it’s just a short 3 minute stroll to Cairns’ Esplanade and only 10 mins walk to the city centre. It has an outdoor pool and unrestricted free WiFi in every room and the lobby.
The rooms are tucked away in lovely tropical gardens. Each has a TV and a private bathroom. Self-catering options and private balconies are available in some units.
The Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant and Bar is an onsite, award-winning, licensed Balinese restaurant serving genuine Balinese food in a tropical setting. It offers delectable food every day.
The Bay Village Retreat is within 10 minutes’ drive from Cairns Airport.
Book a night at the Bay Village Tropical Retreat and Apartments here
Nightcap at Edge Hill Tavern
Guest Rating: 8.1
Studio Twin, Two Twin Beds- Indicative Price: $139
The Edge Hill Tavern, which has a bar, a restaurant, and frequent live entertainment, is 10 minutes’ drive from the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and the Cairns Airport. The hotel provides comfortable lodging ideal for travellers on a budget. There are many parking spots on-site, including covered parking. Air-conditioned rooms allow guests to escape the North Queensland heat. Rooms also come with a flat-screen TV, bar-sized refrigerator, tea and coffee making amenities, a desk, wardrobe as well as an ensuite bathroom with a shower.
Within 5 minutes’ walk, there are several stores and services.
Daily lunch and dinner service is offered at The Edge Bar & Grill. Steak, schnitzel, burgers, pizza, and fish and chips are all available on the menu.
The bar also has billiards tables, a liquor store, and a function space. A playground is available on site for younger visitors.
Book a stay at the Nightcap at Edge Hill Tavern here
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Guest Rating: 7.9
Resort Twin Room- Indicative Price: $123
If you’re looking for a family-friendly resort with reasonably priced lodging the Cairns Colonial Club Resort could be for you. It has 3 lagoon-style pools, a man-made beach, and is located on 11 acres of award-winning tropical gardens just 10 minutes from the city centre and Cairns Airport.
It has 345 rooms overall and 5 different room categories. Get some sand between your toes on the artificial beach. A Conference Centre with a stunning Garden Gazebo, ideal for any wedding or celebration, is among the other amenities. The Cairns Colonial Club has the amenities to serve as your home
away from home while you are in Cairns, including a Guest Lounge, Tour Booking Office, high-speed WI-FI and a guest laundry. All major tour operators pick up and drop off at the Resort, making it easier to discover those beautiful tourist hotspots.
The newly renovated Thirsty Flamingo Poolside Bar & Dining offers a choice of dining options, a delicious breakfast that is offered every day, and a selection of cool beverages. Please be aware that the “CLUB” Swim-up Bar is seasonally open.
Less than 2km away from Cairns Colonial Club Resort from Lily Creek and Flecker Botanic Gardens.
Stay at Cairns Colonial Club Resort here
Aspect Central
Guest Rating: 7.8
Suite- Indicative Price: $81
Aspect Central, which is conveniently situated about 800 metres north of the heart of Cairns, provides complimentary Wi-Fi, a restaurant, a bar, and an outdoor pool.
The Cairns Aspect Central offers attractively decorated rooms with air conditioning, a desk, and a minibar. They all have private bathrooms with showers and hair dryers. The layout of the motel is easy to get around and the rooms are well equipped and well presented.
Visitors have access to high-speed wireless internet, free covered parking, a tour desk and luggage storage.
Aspect Central is in a fantastic location being about 3 kilometres from the Cairns Airport and only 5 minutes’ walk from the Cairns Esplanade waterfront.
Book a stay at Aspect Central here
Oasis Inn Apartments
Guest Rating: 7.8
Standard Room (Motel) 1 Double Bed- Indicative Price: $138
This motel in the centre of Cairns, Queensland, offers affordable lodging just a 2-minute drive from the CBD. Parking is free and there is also free WiFi.
The Oasis Inn Apartments’ simple, air-conditioned rooms come with a tea/coffee maker as well as free Foxtel and a digital TV in each room . A dining area and a fully functional kitchen are features of some rooms. The tour desk with an on-site manager will give you individualised service.
Additionally, the Oasis Inn features an outdoor pool in a tropical garden courtyard, surrounded by tables and chairs and a BBQ area.
The hotel is close to the Esplanade, which is accessible on foot. There are also several eateries, pubs, and stores are all within easy walking distance of the hotel.
Cairns International Airport is about 10 minutes away by car.
Book a stay at Oasis Inn Apartments
