Where to stay

Balmy tropical nights and a festive atmosphere make central Cairns a particularly attractive place to book a hotel. The Cairns Central Business District (CBD) has typical Aussie bars, taverns and restaurants. Many of the CBD's big-name chain hotels are located right along the area's Esplanade and Lake Street. Here, breezy restaurants serve up local seafood, grilled steaks from the Outback and even sampler plates of crocodile, camel and kangaroo. Alternatively, visit the bazaar-style Cairns Night Markets down the road for international cuisine. Just 10 minutes' walk south are the upscale hotels of The Marina, a romantic spot for waterfront dining.

If you plan to stay in the Cairns CBD, be aware there are no good swimming beaches in the area, so make the most of the man-made Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, a great public pool for families. You can still enjoy palm-fringed stretches of sand along the Coral Sea by booking accommodations in the Cairns Northern Beaches. The most northern beach is the resort town of Palm Cove, a sought-after neighborhood of Cairns, although it is some 40 minutes from the CBD by car. Other popular hotel neighborhoods by the beach that aren't quite as far include Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach and neighboring Clifton Beach. To get to any of the Northern Beaches, use the shuttle bus service from the international airport or central Cairns, or rent a car and combine it with a self-drive tour to Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation.

Book accommodations along or near The Esplanade with its sheltered man-made lagoon, complete with real sand, fun playgrounds and colorful weekend markets. In this tropical climate, ice cream and movies in air-conditioned malls can be a great option for families. Since most shopping malls line the main thoroughfare of Mulgrave Road, parents may want to book family-friendly accommodations in nearby Bungalow, Parramatta Park, Westcourt, Woree or Earlville. Alternatively, rent a vacation home with a swimming pool in Smithfield, close to the popular Smithfield Shopping Centre. From there, it's just a short drive along the Captain Cook Highway to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, two of the main family attractions in Cairns.

Of all the Cairns Northern Beaches neighborhoods, Yorkeys Knob and Holloways Beach have many cheaper places to stay because of airplanes flying overhead. Both neighborhoods are a short taxi ride away from the airport and central Cairns and both have a wide range of motels and beachfront homes, along with family-friendly beaches and playgrounds. Backpackers will appreciate the range of hostels in the Cairns Central Business District, Parramatta Park and Cairns North. From these neighbourhoods you can walk to the taverns and bars of Sheridan Street, the cheap food at the Cairns Night Markets, and the free pools and yoga classes along the Esplanade.