10 Best Cairns Beaches

The gateway to Queensland’s tropical north, Cairns is a stylish city. You can get relaxed and peaceful atmosphere in this beautiful city. The lush meticulously maintained Boardwalk are well loved part of this city. If you are a beach lover, then the Cairns beaches and a bottomless swag of activities are never far away.

Being close to the city, Machans is the modest beach of Cairns. If you are looking for some peace time, then you should definitely visit cairns beach and appreciate the quiet peaceful atmosphere.

A small quiet beach to explore your personal space, Holloways Beach is located in the north of Cairns City. This narrow beach is a lovely spot to cool off, take the dog for a walk, sit and enjoy the fresh air, or cast out a fishing line. A very nice restaurant and café makes you feel pleasant in all circumstances.

Here are the Best Cairns Beaches:

01

Machans Beach, Cairns

Image Credit : heroesbed - flickr

Compared to other extravagant Cairns beaches, Machans is modest. Being closest to the city of Cairns it is easily accessible by most modes of transport. The kind of people that usually come here are those who are looking to get away from the madness of most Cairns' northern beaches. Machans offer a tranquil hippy style beach experience, much like the locals at the nearby Kuranda village.

The locals appreciate a quiet peaceful atmosphere as most of them are humble working class folks. They like the pristine natural beauty in their locality and have made great efforts to keep it that way. It also has a unique community centre which reflects the attitude if the locals that sets them apart from other communities at Cairns. You can enjoy the local salsa and mother /daughter nights held at Machans.

Location: It is a suburb in the city of Cairns.

Highlights: Come here for the hippy style beaches and the eclectic local fare.

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

02

Holloway's Beach, Cairns

A Cairns residential beach, Holloway's is gaining popularity due to the establishment of a beach resort by the waterfront. It is an extremely narrow beach, with only two meters as its width. It is extremely apt for fishing as on a good day you can see many locals out with their fishing nets at Holloway's. There is also a popular cafe and hotel which makes Holloway's a brilliant destination. If you are looking for some privacy, turn right when you see the Holloway's beach sign.

There is a quite little spot only frequented by couple and artists. A turn left ahead is a shack, easily recognizable with its bluish yellow interiors, which is famous for its local alcohol made from various fruits. The friendly staff is sure to please you with their wide smile and Pleasant demeanor. There is a safety net for you during the stinger season, please be within it to avoid unnecessary complications.

Location: Holloways Beach is north of Cairns City.

Highlights: A small quite beach to explore your personal space.

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

03

Yorkeys Knob

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Yourkeys Knob is your ideal Beach front Destination for your holiday in Cairns. You are encouraged to go and find your own piece of personal paradise on the golden treasures that lay here. The wide expanse of sand covered by a palm fringed hammock will surely seduce you. With a large stinger net you can swim all you want in pure unrestricted pleasure. There is just so much to do that it will be really hard to explore all of it in just one day.

Windsurfing and sailing are big attractions at Yorkeys. With Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef nearby, your nature dose is never too far away. To complement that there are so many city bus tours, pick-ups and you can obviously rent your own car out there. When you do get hungry, do not forget to eat at the open air Yorkeys knob boating club which offers bistro meals. While eating there you can take in the exclusive view of the marina and the ocean.

Location: It is located 13 km north of Cairns.

Highlights: It is a very popular kite surfing destination. The south east winds provide brilliant thrust to your sail.

Best time to visit: Come here between April to November for the Kite surfing.

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04

Visit Trinity Beach

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This beach is the favourite beach of a true Cairns local. Trinity beach is an amazing beach known for its clear waters. The beach offers a beautiful ambience which never fails to impress anyone. Even more so than the other beaches, the locals and tourists mingle here to give it a much friendlier vibe. This beach is not far from the Cairns International Airport so it is a preferred destination and usually the first beach tourists end up going to.

The beach is cornered by two headlands which provides for an amazing Bay area for all popular activities to take place and thoroughly enjoy their varied pleasures. If you have come here with the sole intention of relaxing, the palm lined shores will just not fail to disappoint you. On the other hand, if adventure is what you seek, you should totally take up on the various tours on offer that leave from Trinity Beach at regular intervals.

Visit Trinity Beach

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Location: It is situated 20 km from the centre of Cairns.

Highlights: Various tours are organized to cater to different people and their budgets.

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

05

Kewarra Beach

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A beautiful coastal suburb, Kewarra Beach is a quiet locality in Cairns. It is a great idea to go for a relaxing stroll on this beach, while you hear the exotic birds chirping nearby. Kewarra Beach has the Coral Sea to the east and Kundarra National Park on its west. There is a little shopping centre on Poolwood Road. Pelican Park, a foreshore reserve is just adjacent to Kewarra.

The swimming enclosure here keeps the marine stingers far in the north end. The others reserves here are Crocodile Park and Brolga Park. There are many luxurious resorts here for your pleasure including Kewarra Beach resort and Palm Beach country club. It is just 20 minutes from Cairns, if you take the Captain Cook highway. Sun bus has a bus service which you can take to reach the beach.

Image Credits : wherewerewe91 - flickr

Location: Kewarra is a coastal suburb in Cairns city.

Highlights: Kewarra has a lot of places to go around including many animal reserves including Crocodile Park.

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

06

Clifton Beach

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Clifton is a serene local beach lined beautifully by swaying palm trees. This beach is great for children with its swimming net and playgrounds. There are facilities for BBQ so that you wouldn't have to go away looking to eat. You can enjoy all of your time under the big rain trees right here at Clifton. You can take a walk for kilometers on end enjoying the sunshine, with beach on one side and the Rainforest Mountain on the other.

You can walk right up to Palm cove and chow in its restaurants while laying around on a completely untouched natural environment that Clifton offers. Clifton rarely has tourists and is relatively undeveloped. Having no high risers, it is dotted with low lying beach front houses. This beach is great for family outings and privacy seeking lovebirds.

Clifton Beach

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Location: Clifton is located 22 km north of Cairns.

Highlights: Local beach with less people and undeveloped areas. It is an ideal spot for having a little quiet time.

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

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07

Palm cove

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Palm cove is the shy, quiet chilled out unique village which is referred to as the Spa capital of Australia. Some who visit it call it 'the ultimate tropical serenity'. It offers the best of tropical adventure with its reef, rainforest and indigenous culture. Relax by the ancient paper bark Melaleuca trees lining the casually styled esplanade. There are various world class beach resorts and hotels here to pamper you and further cater to your every whim and fantasy.

When you get tired of relaxing move out into the tropical sunshine and take part in Great Barrier Reef excursions and rainforest trips, go seeking thrill on a kayaking adventure or try fishing in your personal jetty. A Mecca of sophistication, Palm cove lets you pamper yourself with its various beauty salons and spas. Shop in its boutiques and take care of yourself by taking advantage of the health and fitness centers.

Image Credits : wherewerewe91 - flickr

Location: It is located 27 km North of Cairns

Highlights: It is known as the Spa capital of Australia

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

08

Ellis Beach

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Lying beside the Coral Sea, Ellis is a beach in Tropical north Queensland. It is a home to a surf life saving club which organizes regular events and competitions throughout the year. Ellis Beach is named after Dick Ellis who was a shot firer for the New Queensland department of main roads. When he lost his hand in an accident, the state government built him a house on this beach. He tended and created a mango garden which still exists.

One has to be careful of stingers here during the months of November to May, though there are patrols who make sure of safety standards. This beach was also featured in the fourth season of the amazing race. It is famous for its pumice stones which line the shore. Many revelers can be seen collecting them as it is a major hobby cultivated by the locals. The food available is said to be some of the best in Cairns.

Image Credits : wherewerewe91 - flickr

Location: It is located 31 km North of Cairns

Highlights: The specialty of the Ellis Beach is the beautiful pumice stones found along the shore.

Best time to visit: September to November, March to May.

09

Peppers beach

Peppers beach is the best option for you if you are looking for luxurious place. Peppers beach club is one of the finest places in Port Douglas. It includes resorts with elegant open air design and lush tropical gardens which creates beautiful and peaceful atmosphere. If you need pure tropical resort experience Peppers Beach Club is first class.

Highlights: The resort has a lagoon pool, day spa and wireless internet. You can spend your whole day relaxing without ever leaving the resort. Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas is the perfect at North Tropical Queensland escape. To satisfy your culinary desires you can go to Sublime Bar & Grills, or take a short walk to Marcossan Street.

Location: It is located near both Queensland's famous Four Mile Beach and Port Douglas's renowned restaurant and bars. It is located at 5 minute walk from Four Mile Beach and 5 km from the Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas.

Price: Prices of Peppers Beach Club are affordable and it provides you a vast number of services.

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10

Ray White Cairns Beach

Ray White Cairns Beach is mostly known for property management and real estate business. But least people know about the beautiful sight of the beaches which inhibits the real beauty of Ray White Cairns Beach. You can have island tours, scuba diving, scenic flights and adventure tours in a short visit to Ray White Cairns Beach.

Highlights:

Ray White Cairns Beach is widely famous for its affordable prices for houses, but the main thing which attracts people there is its scenic beauty. It’s one of the only places in the world where reef & rainforest coincides. You can have beachfront accommodation in the Cairns Beach including spacious villas and beachside apartments.

Location: It is located within the Coastwatchers Shopping Centre on Trinity Beach Road. In fact, Ray White Cairns Beach is only 500 meters away from trinity beach.

Price: Ray White Cairns Beach have affordable, luxurious beachside apartments.

Cairns Top Attractions

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Cairns Botanic Gardens

The Cairns botanical gardens officially known as Flecker botanical garden is a botanic reserve in Collins Avenue. It is named after Dr. Hugo Flecker who is known for his immense botanical contribution to this place. Commenced on the 2 of February 2007, it has since become a world heritage listed site. It is also known as Fitzalan's Botanical gardens and Edge hill nursery and it is one of the best places to visit in Cairns.Having a special place in Cairns history this garden has its native sausage tree kigella pantana, hoop pines Araucaria cunninghamii and Cook pine Araucaria columnaris. Further down Goodwin street are the damson plum and a blue quandong. There are rainforest understory plants along the creek with paperbarks and a Leichhardt tree. Aroids and gingers are a part of the garden as well. The walking area is non slippery due to the use of exposed aggregate concrete.Location: Collins Ave, Edge Hill QLD 4870, AustraliaHighlight: The garden has its theme based on the botanical historical evolution of the new Queensland region.

More Cairns Attractions

Palm Cove, cairns St Monica's Cathedral, cairns Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, cairns Yorkeys Knob, cairns Rainforestation Nature Park, cairns Skypark Cairns by AJ Hackett Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, cairns Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, cairns Great Barrier Reef, cairns Kuranda Scenic Railway, cairns Barron Gorge National Park, cairns Cairns Aquarium Trinity Beach, cairns Rainforestation Nature Park, cairns Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, cairns Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, cairns Great Barrier Reef, cairns Hollow Way Beach cairns Kuranda Koala Gardens, cairns Esplanade, cairns Fitzroy Island, cairns The Reef Hotel Casino, cairns Kuranda Scenic Railway, cairns Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, cairns Cairns Night Markets Barron Gorge National Park, cairns Barron Falls, cairns Daintree Rainforest, cairns Tinaroo Falls Dam, cairns Cairns Aquarium Stony Creek Falls, cairns Crystal Cascades, cairns Trinity Beach, cairns

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Cairns Reviews

13 February 2020

Jai Pandey Cairns Bungy Jumping with Transfers

Excellent

What an experience. I felt like I was flying. I was such a wonderful feeling. the drop was very high and adventurous.

13 February 2020

Aanand Sharma Giant Jungle Swing Cairns Experience

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We had never done a giant swing before. we did it for the first time and it was amazing. it was great that the transfers were included in the package otherwise it would have been difficult to get to the location.

13 February 2020

Abani Gupta Giant Jungle Swing Cairns Experience

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I had heard a lot about the cairns giant jungle swing, I did some research and found thrillophilia price the lowest. I went with my partner. I was an amazing experience for both of us. thanks thrillophilia.

13 February 2020

Devadatt Dhawan Cairns Canyoning Adventure

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At first I was very afraid to do the activity. I contacted thrillophilia and the executives helped to overcome my fear. I book the package and I went there and met the instructor. He also guided me a lot and helped to overcome my fear. I finally did the activity.

13 February 2020

Bhushan Gandhi Cairns Canyoning Adventure

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I am a lover of water sports, so I bought this Cairns canyoning adventure from Thillophilia. It was a great experience. The instructors were very skilled and taught me a lot about canyoning.

14 February 2020

Heema Johar Cairns Flyboard Adventure

Excellent

I was worried if i would be able to do it or not, but my guide taught me well, he patiently helped me stand straight on the flyboard.I enoyed it a lot

14 February 2020

Shreya Menon Cairns Flyboard Adventure

Excellent

Flyboading is the only thing I could not do on my last trip to cairns. I did not want to miss it this time. it was a great great experience. the guide taught me how to do it and i realised that i am a quick learner,

14 February 2020

Aaditya Bhattacharya Cairns Bungy Jump & Giant Jungle Swing

Excellent

This cairns bungy jump & giant jungle swing combo was exactly what I wanted. I looked for some adventure activities in cairns and then I saw this. This combo was cheaper than any other and was very good experience.

13 February 2020

Vidya Embranthiri Cairns Bungy Jump & Giant Jungle Swing

Excellent

I wanted to do both bungy jump & giant jungle swing so I booked this tour. This is my best memory of Australia. The instructors gave a enough time to get prepared for the activities and guided us a lot.

13 February 2020

Tejas Adiga Cairns Bungy Jumping with Transfers

Excellent

My instructor was such an amazing person. He was so down to earth, i had a good chat with him. he patiently motivated me for Cairns bungee jumping it was a great adventure.