Holiday Homes & Baches in Cairns

The gateway to Queensland's tropical north, Cairns is a laid-back city in which life is lived outdoors, a city where new experiences become commonplace. It is highly recommended to stay both in downtown Cairns, and on its outskirts, if time allows. Town centre homes put you in the heart of the city’s attractions, such as the memorable Cairns Esplanade Lagoon (see below). Your best bet on the outskirts of town is north of the airport, where you will find gorgeous homes set in a natural paradise.

An eclectic mix of flats and houses awaits you in Cairns, with studios for singles and couples, to large 3 and 4-bedroom properties for all the family. When you think about homes in Cairns, think, ultra-modern, luxurious, comfortable, and stylish. Many properties have private tropical gardens and swimming pools, an ideal retreat for families, romantic getaways or just a place to lose oneself and totally relax.

Cairns is the main airport hub of tropical North Queensland, with lots of domestic and international flights arriving daily. For the most romantic way to reach the city, take the 24-hour Spirit of Queensland train from Brisbane to Cairns along Queensland's stunning coastline. One of the world’s great modern day train journeys!

The centre of Cairns is located in an inlet, providing protection from the open sea, and the city stretches west and south inland from there. Surrounded by neutral landscapes that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, the city is known worldwide as a mecca for divers, snorkelers, reef cruises, fishing, rainforest walks, bush adventures, wildlife spotting and adventurous excursions of all shapes and sizes.

Cairns is the gateway to one of the world’s foremost diving locations – the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered the largest coral reef in the world, with some 2,600km of coral that can be seen from space. A literally mecca for divers who simply must come here at least once in their lives, simply book a day cruise with one of the many local operators and head out to the most extraordinary snorkelling and diving spots among vivid coral gardens and brightly coloured fish.

At Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park located in Cairns you can get close to Aboriginal culture through workshops, traditional dance, art, plays and other essential elements of their ancient culture. Throw a boomerang and spear, learn about bush food and medicine, Aboriginal weapons and tools, didgeridoo playing and much more! Discover the true roots of Australia and become wealthier for it!

In Cairns it is common to swim in large pools that replicate the beach. The reason for this is that the only saltwater crocodiles in the world are prevalent in the city’s ocean waters, so bathing in the sea is not an option. A refreshing dip in Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is a not-to-be-missed attraction. It is large, clean and right on the boardwalk looking over the harbour!

Rusty’s Market is one of the biggest and most bustling markets in all of Australia, with a multitude of stalls selling local food items, art and crafts. The number one attraction is the sugar cane juice. If you have never tried it before, do it! Bet you won’t go back for more!

Cairns may be a small city, but it can boast a buzzing after-dark scene. Laid back and unpretentious, it mostly features bars with DJs and live music, and quieter neighbourhood pubs. Check out Rocco: Cairns' first rooftop bar, with 270-degree views of the sparkling aquamarine water!

Daintree National Park is the second biggest draw for visitors to Cairns after the Great Barrier Reef. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Daintree National Park is the oldest rainforest on the planet, and an adventure under its devastatingly exotic canopy is one planet Earth’s greatest treats.

In Cairns there are thousands of large bats permanently living in the trees near the library between Aplin Street and Abbott Street. During the day you can see them hanging but inactive, but what happens at sunset is incredible – thousands of them swoop down from the trees at once on the hunt for insects, creating a scene quite like anything you will have seen in your life. Another new experience. Welcome to Cairns!