Getting Around Cairns

The Cairns CBD is easy to walk and explore, and the Esplanade is a good place to start.  During Cairns Festival, the Esplanade, City Place, and nearby areas within the CBD will come alive with events, artists, and buskers. Other Festival venues include the Civic Theatre, Tanks Arts Centre, Tjapukai, and Palm Cove.

Maps

Click Here to view Cairns on Google Maps

Click to Download a Map of the Cairns Esplanade

Click to Download a Map of the Cairns Inner City Precinct

Once visitors have arrived in Cairns, exploring further afield will require a combination of public and private transport, rentla car, or a hitch-hiker's will to wander.

If arriving from Cairns International Airport, visitors can choose to take a city transport bus or a taxi. It is only about 10-15 minutes from the airport to the city centre and should cost approximately $13-$15.

Bicycles

Cairns is a relatively flat city and many visitors enjoy hiring bicycles for the duration of their visit to get around the city and close by attractions like the Cairns Botanic Gardens, the Esplanade and Shopping Centres. Bicycles can be hired from hire companies which are located throughout the CBD area.

Taxis

Taxis are relatively expensive for long journeys outside of Cairns City Centre, but for short jaunts in the city itself taxis can be ideal. The major taxi rank is located on Lake Street in the centre of Cairns City. Taxis can also be picked uo from most hotels or called to order on 131 008. Taxis tend not to pick people up in the street unless dropping off another passenger.

Car Hire

Many visitors choose to hire a car or 4WD vehicle, particularly if they plan to stay an extended period and/or visit other towns in the region. There are a number of international car hire companies in the city as well as cheaper options with older cars available.

RACQ road condition reports - 1300 130 595

Local Public Buses

Public buses - the blue Sun Bus - travel around the city of Cairns and to all suburbs including the Northern Beaches and Palm Cove. There are also public buses to the smaller towns including Kuranda and Port Douglas, the Atherton Tableands, Mission Beach and Cooktown.