Found on the northeastern coast of Queensland, this beautiful city has become a popular tourist destination for travelers from all over the world. Known for its beautiful beaches, rainforests, national parks and reserves, and coral reefs, Cairns was originally inhabited by the Aborigines. In the centuries since its founding, Cairns has developed into a world-famous tourist destination with different attractions and activities available to guests.
Cairns is a metropolis with a long stretch of beautiful beaches, so there will be no shortage of spots to swim, dive, boat, or simply sunbathe. It is also known as the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, offering tours of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Further inland, there are many parks and trails where you can hike, bike, camp, and ride horses, among other things. Cairns is also home to several museums that tell the story of Australia’s history and culture through exhibits including those about indigenous peoples and their interactions with settlers from Europe.
If you’re planning a quick trip to this vibrant city, scroll down for our list of the best short-term rentals in Cairns, Australia.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) host status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, decor, availability of dates, and short-term stay rules and regulations. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 13, 2024.
1. Raintree Cottage (from USD 91)
You will love this well-situated and self-contained cottage that offers easy access to many cafes, shops, restaurants, and takeaways. Set in the middle of a tropical garden and under a beautiful raintree, Raintree Cottage will make you feel like you’re connected to nature.
Botanic Gardens and Centenary Lakes are a short walk away, and the Cairns CDB is 10 minutes away from this property. The private entrance helps guests come and go as they please at any time of the day. For those who desire to stay indoors, the fully equipped kitchen will ensure that you won’t go hungry.
The best part is the discounts at some of the local shops that you may take advantage of - courtesy of the amazing host.
Guests staying here for more than a week may also avail of the weekly discount of 10%.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the flat has all the creature comforts including a full kitchen a/c and modern furnishingswe loved the space privacy and the beautiful deck to eat our breakfastcomfortable and quiet cottage just a short drive out of town and around the corner from the botanical gardensbeautiful cottage very comfortable and in a great locationvery comfy bed great bathroom/shower and a fully equipped kitchenCleanliness:
clean quite and very privategreat place very clean & comfortablebeautiful clean and moderncharlie gave us lots of local tips and the space was very cleanamazing clean apartment that offers everything you needHost:
charlie was an amazing hostcharlie was a great host very accommodating and went above and beyondcharlie and sam are great hosts they made us feel like we were at homecharlie was an awesome host who always went the extra milecharlie is a great hostRead more reviewsLocation:
brilliant location and amazing valuegreat location in a quiet areaawesome location to the botanical gardensawesome location and eateriesnice place with good location
2. Maliina on the Esplanade (from USD 148)
Enjoy a refreshing stay at this fully renovated one-bedroom apartment, offering vistas of Cairns Lagoon and located close to the Night Market and Reef Fleet Terminal.
Maliina on the Esplanade boasts an amazing view of Green Island on pleasant and sunny days and is a short distance from many great restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops. There is a fully working kitchen, and right outside is a pool, barbecue area, and gym, which are all available for guests’ use. Parking and Wi-Fi are both complimentary within the premises.
Make sure to avail of the weekly discount of 10%, should your stay last for more than a week.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
comfy bed and beautiful view from balcony on esplanadevery comfortable bed and had all the amenitiesappreciated the breakfast foods and coffee to help get us started in the morningthe building itself isn’t a private residential space and units can be rented like hotel roomsalso the shower and shampoo products that you make yourself are gorgeousCleanliness:
the apartment was clean and nicethe apartment was very clean and everything worked perfectlynicolas was very helpful and apartment was clean and stocked with all you needthe condo was clean and had nice amenitiesHost:
responsive hosthost was great and price was reasonablethe reception desk can book tours and excursions and were very helpfulthe guy at the front desk was super helpful and nicedavid and nico has the portable crib set up for us upon arrival which was very helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
the location was excellentsuper convenient and central location in cairnsthis is a great location with easy access to the airport and walking distance to any water activitiesawesome place and location right in town quiet and near the marinadavid's place is perfectly located and convenient
Superhost
3. Beautiful retreat amidst a rainforest (from USD 146)
Located in one of the best neighborhoods in Cairns, this quiet, safe and spacious home has a huge kitchen, a shady verandah with plenty of space to enjoy meals outdoors, and an outdoor barbecue grill.
The 10-minute drive to Cairns Marina and CBD provides easy access to shopping, dining, and many tourist attractions. A beautiful private rainforest garden along with Reiki treatments, meditation, and yoga sessions will help you relax. And the high-speed Wi-Fi will give social media addicts peace of mind.
Stay for more than a week and you may avail of the weekly discount of 10%.
Top guest reviews
Host:
julie is a lovely hostjulie was a wonderful host easy to communicate with and prompt to responda good and caring hostjulie was incredibly friendly helpful & accommodatingjulie is a very friendly host and the house is great for usRead more reviewsLocation:
it's a fantastic location 15/20 mins from cairns and 5 mins from coles for shoppingthe house is located in a beautiful and quiet neighbourhood and is surrounded by a lovely green forrest
4. Great Northern Beach House (from USD 312)
Whether you’re a family or a large group of friends, this beach house is the perfect short-term getaway. With easy access to the golf course, marina, and restaurants, you’re sure to have a great time here. This timber home has four bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen for preparing meals. You will also have access to a fenced backyard and a verandah with ocean views. Best of all, it’s 30 steps from the beach and has a lifeguard who patrols the area, so you can swim in comfort and safety.
Wi-Fi and Netflix are provided for in-house entertainment and connectivity, as well as free parking for guests who bring a car.
Avail of the 10% weekly discount by staying in this beautiful home for a week or longer.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
wonderful beach house with plenty of room and all the amenities you needCleanliness:
nice clean modern beach house with beautiful back yard and surroundingssuper clean full kitchen equipments made our stay very easy and enjoyablehouse was in a great location really clean and had lots of roomHost:
the landlord is very friendlysylvia was an amazing host from the moment we book in till the endsylvia and darren are the perfect hostssylvia is a great host who made the is visit easy and very enjoyablehost was very helpful and communication was excellentRead more reviewsLocation:
great house and fantastic locationperfect location that catered well to a large groupawesome place and great locationperfect location close to everything you could possible needgreat location and really good size for family and friends to visit
5. Bright and cozy apartment with a shared pool (from USD 94)
Situated inside the famed On the Beach complex, this apartment is close to restaurants and shops, so there will be no shortage of grub for hungry travelers. Trinity beach is steps away from this rental. The property is also close to two major shopping centers.
The interior of this property features bright decor and lots of sunlight. You can access Wi-Fi throughout the abode. There’s a private balcony perfect for alfresco dining, and a shared pool where you can enjoy refreshing morning swims.
Guests who book a stay longer than seven days may avail of the 10% weekly discount.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
outdoor balcony with table and chairs was also lovely to havethe only improvement is wi-fi and parkingthe balcony facing the beach and pool very comfortable beds washingmachine and dryer (wow )the suite offered the welcome relief of air conditioning coffee/milk/cereal and beach towelsif the wifi is more stable and quicker it will be perfectCleanliness:
clean and very comfortableclean and comfortable beachside accomodationit was clean and comfortable and quietthis apartment is well equipped clean and tidygreat apartment that was clean and had everything we neededHost:
we also used the reception desk to arrange excursions very helpful staff onsitethey were a nice couple who were very helpfulhosts were very good to work withmick and lisa met us at the aparment and were very good hostexcellent property and hosts they thought of every detail to make our stay enjoyableRead more reviewsLocation:
good location on trinity beachlisa & mick’s apartment is perfectly located 1 minute walk to the patrolled beachperfect apartment with a beach locationsensational location and a great place to relaxa short walk to great eating options
6. Newly refurbished apartment with a resort-style pool (from USD 146)
Close to Cairns CBD, this newly refurbished apartment has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a fully functional kitchen. It is completely furnished, with air conditioning to ensure guests are comfortable year-round. There is also access to a resort-style pool and barbecue area, perfect for swimming, hosting poolside cookouts, or just sunbathing. Complimentary Wi-Fi and Netflix access are also provided for your entertainment.
Book this rental for more than a week and enjoy a much cheaper rate - thanks to the weekly discount!
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
there is a air-con in every room so don't worry about the hot weather in cairnskates apartment was absolutely perfectnice block of units pool area was peaceful clean and quietthe kitchen has a great supply of utensils plates and cupsCleanliness:
spotlessly clean & well equippedspacious clean and everything we neededkates place was clean spacious and it had everything we neededthe apartment was very clean and well presented beds were comfortablea very clean and safe apartment fitting 6 people easyHost:
she’s a great hosthost was very responsive and helpfulkate is an amazing host and a delight to communicate withkate was a fantastic host and promptly responded to any queriesexcellent host will definitely stay there if we are visiting cairns next timeRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is great with a 25 minute walk to the lagoon & esplanadegreat stay here good locationdefinitely my go to location when i return backit’s a good place for family just 3 minutes to shopping center by cargreat space close to everything we loved it
7. Budget-friendly guest suite with Wi-Fi (from USD 52)
Located within the multicultural suburb of Westcourt, this cozy and clean apartment is a 10-minute drive from downtown Cairns. Conveniently close to everything in the city, this rental will help you access restaurants, stores, and shopping centers that are all a short stroll away. A pair of bicycles are available for guests to borrow to explore the area, including the lagoon and the botanical gardens.
The rental comes with a working kitchen for guests who opt to stay in, and free Wi-Fi and street parking are available as well.
If you book a stay of more than a week, you may avail of the nice weekly discount offered here.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
it had a really lovely kitchen bathroom bed and tvif you are light sensitive the room is quite bright in the morningCleanliness:
exceptionally clean and well provisioned spaceplace was clean & tidyclean and a good set upvery cosy accomodation clean and tidyit was very clean and had everything you could possibly need for your stayHost:
lovely accommodation and hostsarah is a great hostand sarah is a great hostshe is an outstanding hostlovely place to stay sarah is a great hostRead more reviewsLocation:
it was in a great location for what we needed to do around cairnsgood location and nice hoststhe location was ideal and i am beyond grateful i found this private gem in cairnssarah’s place is the perfect stay for a trip in cairnsgreat place very new good size in and out
8. The Pondy (from USD 98)
Spend a relaxing time at this luxurious one-bedroom retreat set on the hillside, surrounded by lush tropical trees and gardens. The Pondy is only 100 meters (328 feet) away from the Botanical Gardens, Tank Arts Centre, and numerous cafes and shops.
This guesthouse is equipped with a fully functional kitchen, air-conditioning, and a dedicated workspace for remote workers. There is also a medium-sized spa for unwinding and a furnished balcony. The best place to chill is the double bed that hangs over a small pond under the balcony. Additionally, free Wi-Fi, Netflix, and parking are all included in the rental.
Don’t forget to avail yourself of the weekly discount of up to 10% should you decide to stay here for more than a week.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
thoughtful touches including large tea selection and half a dozen eggs for breakfastkitchen is stocked and my partner loved the coffee machinea lot of nice touches like cd/dvd with music wifi is good smart tvlovely view and having a spa pool to relax in was the icing on the cakethe kitchen is supplied with all you can wish for except may be a coffee nespresso machineCleanliness:
the pondys was super clean and so peacefulthe pondys was clean and the bed was comfortablelots of thoughtful touches clean and great for relaxingthe home was very clean and comfortablewe had a lovely stay at nardine’s everything was cosy comfortable and cleanHost:
host is very kind & caringnardine was a wonderful host and the home was absolutely amazingthe hosts were super helpful responsive and made sure we were comfortablenardine was such a wonderful host and her hospitality made our stay extra specialshe is definitely a 5 star host with her communicationRead more reviewsLocation:
great location just 5 minutes walk to botanic gardencomfortable and close to townfantastic place to stay and close to everythingit's a peaceful location with the botanics and conservation areas right on the doorstepwe loved the location and that we were away from the busy centre of town
9. Coral Sea Penthouse (from USD 246)
Luxuriate in style at this penthouse apartment situated in the Royal Harbour complex overlooking Esplanade Lagoon. Coral Sea Penthouse boasts the best views in the city, all while being mere steps away from all tourist spots such as Esplanade Lagoon, the night markets, and Reef Fleet Terminal.
Guests may enjoy full use of the facilities, including the communal pool, garden, and barbecue area. Fitness buffs can head to the gym for a quick workout. After an intense workout session, freshen up in the spacious bathroom with a pristine corner bath that offers amazing city views. Free parking and Wi-Fi are also available within the premises.
You can enjoy a great weekly discount of up to 10% should you stay here for more than a week.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the apartment is terrific with fantastic views and all the amenities you would expectthe master bedroom and bathroom had beautiful viewsthe views were spectacular the home was clean and comfortablethe apartment has wonderful views and is worth every pennygreat apartment that's clean well presented and has awesome views overlooking the cairns foreshoreCleanliness:
the apartment was beautiful spotless and comfyjudith' s place is super clean and comfortablevery very cleanthis apartment is spectacular - tremendously comfortable clean and convenient to everything in downtown cairnsperfect location large comfortable very clean and modernHost:
amazing hosts hospitality and homejudith the host was so helpfulfriend and helpful hostjudith was an excellent host so easy to reach and her response time was amazinghost is great she showed us the apartment and facilities upon arrivalRead more reviewsLocation:
the location was fantastic so close to everythingvery good location and nice houseperfect location and easy access to everywhere in cairns beautiful locationthe location and his are amazingbest location imaginable as well
10. Bright and stunning apartment with marina and mountain views (from USD 168)
Refresh your body and mind at this fabulous apartment located in the Harbor Lights Complex. Strategically placed at the waterfront, this fully air-conditioned apartment is the perfect spot to admire stunning views of the ocean and Trinity Inlet. You can enjoy these views from its private balcony, furnished with comfy chairs.
Guests are given access to the gym to burn some vacation calories and a barbecue area for fun cookouts. There is also a swimming pool where you can enjoy refreshing laps. The apartment unit itself boasts a bedroom with a king-sized bed, a spotless bathroom, and a fully functional kitchen. Free Wi-Fi is available within the premises.
Should you stay here for more than a week, remember to avail yourself of the 10% weekly discount.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
everything was clean and comfortableplace was very clean and tidythe apartment was super clean and furnished with nice tropical toucheswell appointed very clean and fresh convenient to restaurants and the inner city would recommend a stayapartment was stylish and clean super locationHost:
the hosts’ description is a 100% accurate and communication is greatRead more reviewsLocation:
great location everything is walking distance awaygreat location & lovely unitamazing location and loving hostsunit was extremely well presented and in a great locationgreat location close to reef terminal and to lots of restaurants and cafes
Have a wonderful stay in Cairns
Dubbed the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns offers easy access to the natural wonder, making a trip to this city a must for nature lovers. To enjoy all that this charming city has to offer, make sure to stay in comfortable accommodation. Book any of these fantastic places in Cairns, Australia, for a budget-friendly and memorable stay.
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