See Far North Queensland on a road trip from Cairns in a rental car
The tropical city of Cairns, 1807 kilometres north of Brisbane, is the main centre of Far North Queensland. It is world-renowned as the gateway to the Daintree Rainforest - sprawling over a 1200sq km area north of the city - and the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Both are excellent reasons to visit Cairns, and they draw visitors in droves.
But there are other reasons to come here, too. Cairns is a relaxed city packed with brilliant cafes and bustling markets. It’s characterised by mudflats teeming with native birdlife and a man-made 4000sq m saltwater lagoon and artificial beach in the city centre.
A road trip is a great way to explore wider Queensland and Australia from Cairns, especially with a good car hire Cairns all areas. Brisbane and the Gold Coast are both within driving distance. Or check out Mackay and Townsville on car hire if you have the time.
Car hire Cairns all areas
Save money by booking car hire Cairns all areas ahead of time with Airport Rentals. All you need to do is enter your search criteria to compare rental vehicle features and prices across multiple brands on one handy page.
Once you have found the perfect car rental for you, book it on our secure site and away you go. Rest assured with the security of knowing there’s a friendly customer service team always on hand to help, before, during or after your trip.
All about Cairns
Built over the site of a sea-slug fishing camp when gold was found to the north in 1876, Cairns is a tropical city with about 145,000 people. It’s been a popular tourist destination since the Great Barrier Reef was ‘discovered’ in the 1970s, attracting more than two million visitors a year.
Cairns is on a narrow coastal strip between the Great Dividing Range and the Coral Sea, and is part of Australia’s Wet Tropics. It has hot, humid summers and warm winters, and is the traditional land of Bama Aboriginal people. Indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders share their stories through music and dance at various cultural attractions around the region.
Cairns Airport is 10-15 minutes’ drive north of the CBD. It services most Australian cities and operates flights to various Asian destinations.
Cairns driving guide
Getting to the airport from Cairns
From Cairns, head southeast on National Route 1.
Turn left onto Charles St and left at the second cross street onto Lake St.
Go straight through two roundabouts.
Turn right onto Airport Ave and proceed to the terminal.
Driving tips for car hire Cairns all areas
Cairns and North Queensland’s roads are among the most scenic in the world. But, as with all roads, there can be dangers, and drivers need to take care and follow local rules.
All vehicles must drive on the left-hand side of the road.
The speed limit in most residential areas is 60km/h. On the open road, it’s usually 100km/h.
Queensland has a 0.05% alcohol blood level limit.
Cane trains hauling sugar cane to the various mills are a common North Queensland sight. The railway tracks sometimes cross roads, so be aware that you must give way to them at all times.
Be careful when driving at night, as animals such as kangaroos often stray onto roads.
Parking your car hire Cairns all areas
There are 4700 parking spaces in Cairns’ CBD - comprising on- and off-street options. Regulated parking hours in the Cairns CBD are 8.30 am - 6 pm every day; fees are AUD$1.60 per hour.
Parking times and hours at other locations in Cairns will vary, so please check the signs.
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CITY INFO
Where to stay in Cairns
Cairns has a plethora of accommodation options. Here are just a few.
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort Hotel - This laid-back hotel has contemporary rooms, a restaurant and an outdoor pool with a swim-up bar.
Mantra Trilogy - Modern, airy rooms and apartments and a central location make this a popular accommodation choice.
Kewarra Beach Resort & Spa - This tropical resort features sleek cottages, a private beach, pools and a day spa.
Events in Cairns
Try to time your visit to Cairns with one of the city’s fantastic events. Here are just a few of the celebrations to choose from.
The Cairns Amateurs Racing Carnival (September) - Four days of fun, fashion, glamour, food and entertainment centred around horse racing.
Babinda Harvest Festival (October) - This event in Babinda, 60 kilometres south of Cairns, features markets, a parade, music, farm-related contests and fireworks.
Undara Outback Rock & Blues Festival (April) - This three-day music extravaganza features a fantastic range of first-rate acts.
Things to do in Cairns
You will have your pick of attractions in Cairns. The hard part is fitting them all in!
Scenic helicopter rides - Taking to the air is a great way to see this stunning region.
Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef - Snorkelling is one of the best ways to see this incredible underwater world.
Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway - This is a 7.5-kilometre scenic cableway above the Barron Gorge National Park, north of Cairns.
With all this on offer, there’s really no reason not to visit Cairns. You may also opt to start an adventure with a Brisbane airport car hire or Gold Coast car rental and explore more of Queensland. So get yourself a rental vehicle and get exploring.
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