Cairns Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Cairns

really wouldnt recommend it. staff were nice but reception shuts half way throught the day for some reason and you cant check in till 12. we were put in what can only be described as a tin box out outhouse thing with air con that sounded like a helicopter taking off. miles away from anything and...more really wouldnt recommend it. staff were nice but reception shuts half way throught the day for some reason and you cant check in till 12. we were put in what can only be described as a tin box out outhouse thing with air con that sounded like a helicopter taking off. miles away from anything and could do with a refurb or maybe just a good clean.dont do it!!!close

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by louisereddox5388 – posted on Oct 9, 2007

1

Cairns is the sort of place that you could stay 6 months in- it’s addictive! Great nightlife and cheap for backpackers- totally catered for that market but don't worry if you want to splash out you can do that too.... Chill by the lagoon if you want to relax or you can take one of the many...more Cairns is the sort of place that you could stay 6 months in- it’s addictive! Great nightlife and cheap for backpackers- totally catered for that market but don't worry if you want to splash out you can do that too.... Chill by the lagoon if you want to relax or you can take one of the many trips to the Great Barrier Reef. A real favourite of mine was heading down to the lagoon and cooking up a BBQ most evenings with a gang...you can't beat it!close

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by SallyAnn – posted on May 2, 2007

66

The great thing about cairns is all the backpackers. It makes for such a great atmostphere and its a really good place to go out in. The shopping and food are ok- they are typical for tourist/traveller destinations. The affordable food is all fried, greasy and generally unhealthy. but you can...more The great thing about cairns is all the backpackers. It makes for such a great atmostphere and its a really good place to go out in. The shopping and food are ok- they are typical for tourist/traveller destinations. The affordable food is all fried, greasy and generally unhealthy. but you can find some alternatives. Big supermarket which was handy and the weather was lovely. It was easyto get around and the activities were awesome! I definatley recommend going out on the reef and white water rafting on the Tully! The all day one is the way to go. Then there is TURTLE TOURS- a fantastic tour where you get to see rainforest, beautiful Crystal Cascades (and swim in this awesome spot), lake placid, barron gourge and palm beach and its only $29! for the full day! i was broke after other activities so the price appealed to me but it was the perfect end to my vacation! The guide was great too, and tells you all about the wildlife etc. Have fun, Cairns is great!close

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by marita22 – posted on Apr 17, 2007

6

Stay away from Nomads Serpent "Resort" Hostel. This was the worst hostel experience I have every had in my life. I've stayed at many hostels all over the world, and have never been treated so badly by anyone. I arrived late the first night and was asked to check in the next...more Stay away from Nomads Serpent "Resort" Hostel. This was the worst hostel experience I have every had in my life. I've stayed at many hostels all over the world, and have never been treated so badly by anyone. I arrived late the first night and was asked to check in the next morning. I went down to the desk and said hello. I told the girl I had a coupon from Aussie Backpackers for $5 off the first night stay. She said, "Oh, that's only for 4 & 5 bed dorms". It didn't say that on the page, but she said, "See this asterisk here - it says conditions apply" I said it didn't seem right to just make up any condition, and she said I could talk to the manager. She came out (Tess Harper) and was the rudest person I have ever met. She told me to "PISS OFF" when I asked her about it, and said, "I only have to come out here to deal with people like YOU", adding "I don't want people like YOU to stay here" I left, and went to Cairns International Hostel, the best thing I could have done. It was right in the center, close to everything, great people, very clean and comfortable, and Nomads is way on the outside of town, too far to walk to anything. Stay away from Nomads!close

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by dhanso – posted on Apr 16, 2007

3

I love cairns! There's so much to do, you need to take a good few days here to see everything and do everything. It mostly cost a bit of money...but can you put a price on swimming with turtles on the Great Barrier Reef??? There's no beach, but the lagoon is great...and there's...more I love cairns! There's so much to do, you need to take a good few days here to see everything and do everything. It mostly cost a bit of money...but can you put a price on swimming with turtles on the Great Barrier Reef??? There's no beach, but the lagoon is great...and there's beaches everywhere else so...close

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by gazowana – posted on Mar 24, 2007

11

The Cairns esplanade really impressed us. It is a well planned, well groomed, and well maintined urban entertainment landscape. It is a GREAT place for kids. It has colourful fantasy-style playgrounds and waterparks at numerous locations along the shoreline. Older kids would enjoy the skatepark -...more The Cairns esplanade really impressed us. It is a well planned, well groomed, and well maintined urban entertainment landscape. It is a GREAT place for kids. It has colourful fantasy-style playgrounds and waterparks at numerous locations along the shoreline. Older kids would enjoy the skatepark - a marvelous collection of deep clover-shaped concrete ponds, metal-edged steps, and thick angling rails. The mud flats at low tide were teeming with sea creatures to look at (and listen to!). Overall, we enjoyed our visit - despite the slightly inflated tourist prices - because of the care and attention the city has invested in its public spaces. Well done Cairns, we'll be back again.close

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by sablan – posted on Mar 1, 2007

2

Scuba on GBF, so much to see, little wary at first but it was awesome! town was quiet but previous big place was Sydney and time before Hong Kong so mayb understandable, two shopping centres but best bit was def the reef. only other thing to suggest is to go down to Wooroonooran Nat park, some...more Scuba on GBF, so much to see, little wary at first but it was awesome! town was quiet but previous big place was Sydney and time before Hong Kong so mayb understandable, two shopping centres but best bit was def the reef. only other thing to suggest is to go down to Wooroonooran Nat park, some amazing waterfalls!close

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by hywelsonholiday – posted on Feb 27, 2007

12

The owners are very helpfull and nice, but the hostel itself seems from like the seventies and it is not that clean. They have airco, which is great but you have to pay for it. And the computers often do not work. The swimmingpool, is more like a bath and further it is quit, which is very nice...more The owners are very helpfull and nice, but the hostel itself seems from like the seventies and it is not that clean. They have airco, which is great but you have to pay for it. And the computers often do not work. The swimmingpool, is more like a bath and further it is quit, which is very nice when you really want to sleep. It is not a bad hostel, but it is not that good, in a rate from 1 to 10 I give them a 6.close

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by Benjop – posted on Feb 3, 2007

4

The Cock and Bull Pub would not provide a takeout container or even a piece of aluminium for a steak I could not finish. They claimed it was "against the law". Which is a cock and bull story...not true. I ended up leaving in a huff with my steak wrapped in a magazine page. What...more The Cock and Bull Pub would not provide a takeout container or even a piece of aluminium for a steak I could not finish. They claimed it was "against the law". Which is a cock and bull story...not true. I ended up leaving in a huff with my steak wrapped in a magazine page. What jerks!close

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by Nickve8185 – posted on Jan 22, 2007

2

Cairns is unreall. So many things to see and do. Alot of secret locations that are just as good as the tours. You need to get friendly with a local and they may let you in on there secret swimming holes etc.... Pitty about the wet season but there is still plenty of stuff to do when it rains....more Cairns is unreall. So many things to see and do. Alot of secret locations that are just as good as the tours. You need to get friendly with a local and they may let you in on there secret swimming holes etc.... Pitty about the wet season but there is still plenty of stuff to do when it rains. Ultimate Party Bar Hop rocks too!!!!close

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by Promo6999 – posted on Jan 13, 2007

2