The Great Barrier Reef
Days 1-7 · 6 nightsOn the Esplanade, 400 metres from the centre of Cairns, along the waterfront promenade. You can walk to the pontoons where the reef trips depart.
€110 a nightSee on Booking →A hotel on Abbott Street, one kilometre from the centre of Cairns, on the north side of the waterfront. The area stays quiet in the evening, with restaurants within walking distance.
€125 a nightSee on Booking →A hotel on Lake Street, 500 metres from the centre, right in Cairns City. Its lagoon pool helps you get through hot afternoons between two days on the reef.
The lagoon pool matters for families coming back from boat trips.
€140 a nightSee on Booking →A hotel on the Esplanade, on the Cairns North side. The area is more residential, with the waterfront promenade leading back to the centre on foot.
Allow about twenty minutes' walk along the waterfront to reach the pontoons.
€130 a nightSee on Booking →A hotel on the Esplanade, in Cairns City, 500 metres from the centre. For staying on the waterfront without moving up to the prices of the newest hotels.
The Esplanade restaurants are right downstairs, handy after a day at sea.
€150 a nightSee on Booking →A hostel on McLeod Street, in Cairns City, 800 metres from the centre and a stone's throw from the bus station. Handy when the boat to the reef leaves early in the morning.
€40 a nightSee on Booking →A hostel on Scott Street, in the Parramatta Park area, 1.2 km from the centre of Cairns. For solo travellers looking for a quiet place between two trips out to sea.
The walk back from the Esplanade takes about a quarter of an hour.
€65 a nightSee on Booking →A hostel right on the Esplanade, 200 metres from the centre, facing the Cairns waterfront. Handy for early departures to the reef and late returns.
The pontoons where the boats leave from are a few minutes' walk away.
€70 a nightSee on Booking →A hostel on Davidson Street, in Port Douglas, a few streets from Four Mile Beach. The right base camp for trips to Agincourt Reef rather than those departing from Cairns.
Allow about an hour's drive from Cairns, worth planning for if your flight lands late.
€75 a nightSee on Booking →A hotel on Grafton Street, right in Cairns City, 700 metres from the centre. For those who want a simple room with the centre and restaurants within walking distance.
The Esplanade and its pontoons are about ten minutes' walk away.
€90 a nightSee on Booking →A resort on the Esplanade, 600 metres from the centre, on the Cairns waterfront. For a comfortable stay between trips to Green Island and Michaelmas Cay.
Reef trips leave from the pontoons, about ten minutes' walk away.
€220 a nightSee on Booking →A hotel on Abbott Street, 400 metres from the centre, one street back from the Esplanade. For those who want central Cairns on foot and a little less passing traffic at night.
The boat trip agencies and shuttles are concentrated in the neighbouring streets.
€200 a nightSee on Booking →A hotel on the Esplanade, 500 metres from the centre, on the Cairns marina side. The reef shuttles leave from the nearby pontoons, which makes early departures easier.
A good base for combining a trip to Green Island with another to Michaelmas Cay.
€210 a nightSee on Booking →A resort on Green Island itself, off Cairns, on the reef. For sleeping on the island once the day boats have left and enjoying the lagoon in peace.
The transfer is by boat from the Cairns pontoons, to be booked along with the night.
€420 a nightSee on Booking →