Tropical North Waterfront Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

The lagoon in Cairns in awesome!! Free to swim, lounge, nice view of the ocean... cute shops around... o and free wifi! Great way to spend a relaxing day.
The lagoon in Cairns in awesome!! Free to swim, lounge, nice view of the ocean... cute shops around... o and free wifi! Great way to spend a relaxing day.
Book a harbour view apartment with Cairns Luxury Apartments and you'll be able to see your reef boat from your bedroom! You can't get more centrally located than this. www.cairnsluxuryapartments.com.au
The beaches around Cairns might not be the best, but a short boat ride out to sea and you could be relaxing in the crystal clear waters of Michaelmas Cay. Bliss! #waterlust #colorful www.cheskiesgaplife.com
Want to spot a turtle? A trip to Green Island will pretty much guarantee you a sighting! Just don't expect the best coral for snorkelling, but that's a trade off if you can bag a selfie like this... #waterlust www.cheskiesgaplife.com #colorful

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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

4.5 out of 5
121-123 The Esplanade & Florence St Cairns QLD
The price is NZ$201 per night from 26 Mar to 27 Mar
NZ$201
26 Mar - 27 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
Great location and well-maintained

Reviewed on 21 Feb 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

5 out of 5
Pierpoint Road Cairns QLD
The price is NZ$255 per night from 26 Mar to 27 Mar
NZ$255
26 Mar - 27 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,014 reviews)
Excellent rooms and wonderful staff

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns

5 out of 5
34 Esplanade Cairns QLD
The price is NZ$212 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
NZ$212
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
Room was spotless and the staff extremely friendly and helpful. Great location and we will definitely stay here again.

Reviewed on 20 Feb 2026

Hilton Cairns
See all 1,337 properties in Tropical North Waterfront
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Mantra Trilogy

Mantra Trilogy

4 out of 5
101 - 105 The Esplanade Cairns QLD
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free parking, a fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,301 reviews)
Room was tired and needs a refresh. Bed was uncomfortable. It was noisy through the night with sound of doors opening. Stayed 7 days and no servicing for the whole time.

Reviewed on 21 Feb 2026

Mantra Trilogy
Vision Apartments

Vision Apartments

4.5 out of 5
125-129 The Esplanade Cairns QLD
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
Vision Apartments
Mid City Luxury Suites

Mid City Luxury Suites

3.5 out of 5
6 McLeod Street Cairns QLD
Stay at this aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a casino. Popular attractions Cairns Esplanade and Cairns Central Shopping Centre are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (199 reviews)
The location was great - across from a mall to get anything you could want including groceries. It was walking distance to the esplanade pool, ocean pier, night market, etc. The hotel pool was refreshing after a day of activities, and the kitchen with a full sized fridge was wonderful. Having a washer ...

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2026

Mid City Luxury Suites
See all properties in Tropical North Waterfront
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cairns Esplanade which includes a luxury hotel or resort, a pool and swimming

Cairns Esplanade

4.5/5(1,351 reviews)

Soak up the city’s relaxed atmosphere and admire the sunset over the Coral Sea as you wander along this popular walkway.

Cairns Esplanade
One of best things to do in Cairns is ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway. It's a 90 minute journey that takes you down the mountain to Cairns passing waterfalls, scenic lookouts and over old bridges. Catch the Skyrail up the mountain from Cairns and then catch the train back down. Or, vice versa.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre

4/5(1,110 reviews)

During your visit to Tropical North Waterfront, you can do some window-shopping at Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre
Palm Cove Beach featuring a beach, tropical scenes and general coastal views

Palm Cove Beach

4.5/5(1,059 reviews)

Located in between the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, this palm tree-lined beach is an idyllic spot to take it easy or begin an adventure.

Palm Cove Beach
Cairns Marlin Marina which includes sailing, mountains and a marina

Cairns Marlin Marina

4.5/5(664 reviews)

Enjoy views of the harbour and and unwind with al-fresco dining, entertainment and shopping beside the bay.

Cairns Marlin Marina
Esplanade Lagoon showing a hotel and a coastal town

Esplanade Lagoon

4.5/5(888 reviews)

Relax after a day of sightseeing or cool down from the summer heat in this fresh-water lagoon, one of Cairns’ best city attractions.

Esplanade Lagoon
Cairns Convention Centre, Queensland: Aerial Photo of Iconic Architecture, Urban Landscape, Waterfront, and City Infrastructure in Tropical North Queensland, Australia

Cairns Convention Centre

4/5(130 reviews)

Learn about the events happening in Cairns Convention Centre during your trip to Tropical North Waterfront. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Convention Centre

Activities

Kuranda Scenic Rail & Skyrail including Gold Class

Kuranda Scenic Rail & Skyrail including Gold Class Tickets

NZ$321
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Kuranda Scenic Rail & Skyrail including Gold Class Tickets
Cairns: Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket

Cairns: Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket

NZ$23
per adult
Cairns: Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket
Koala

Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Admission Tickets

NZ$45
per adult
Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Admission Tickets
relaxing at the deck of a ship in Australia

Full-Day Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Snorkeling Tour

NZ$309
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Full-Day Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Snorkeling Tour
passengers aboard amphibious DUKW drive through jungles in Cairns

Army Duck Tour of the Rainforest

NZ$38
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Army Duck Tour of the Rainforest
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Cruise

Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

NZ$295
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise
See all activities in Tropical North Waterfront

Cities near Tropical North Waterfront

If you're looking for an inexpensive but lovely way to spend an evening then hop on a sunset cruise with Cairns Harbour Cruises. At only $44 it's worth it to see the sun setting behind the mountains. #goldenhour www.cheskiesgaplife.com/a-delightful-evening-the-cairns-sunset-cruise

Portsmith