Search car rental at Cairns - Downtown

Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and therefore a popular place to explore with a car hire Cairns Downtown. Head to Queensland’s northeast coast to experience this incredible outdoor wonderland.

Cairns is a laid-back city, full of brilliant cafes, bustling markets and plenty of beaches. Relax by a resort pool or spend your days exploring this tropical oasis.

Northwest of Cairns, Daintree National Park spans mountainous rainforest, gorges and beaches. The region is an excellent choice of holiday destination for anyone wanting an authentic Australian experience.

From Cairns, more stunning seaside towns await. So get behind the wheel of your rental car and get moving. Head south in your car hire to Townsville, Mackay, and Port Douglas and soak up the sights of the east coast.

Image: Bahnfrend (Own work), CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Car hire Cairns Downtown

Book ahead with Airport Rentals to find the right car hire Cairns Downtown for you. Use our simple search engine to compare brands, features, and prices, and find the perfect vehicle. International buying power means that Airport Rentals can offer great everyday low rates and specials, so take advantage, and book today!

Once you have found the right hire car - and this could mean anything from a compact economy car to a big SUV or luxury convertible - it’s easy to reserve it on our secure, user-friendly site. If you should need a hand for any reason, a dedicated, friendly customer service team is available to offer help and advice round the clock.

A quick guide to Cairns

Cairns was founded in 1876 to serve miners heading for the Hodgkinson River goldfield. The tropical city has about 145,000 people who enjoy (or endure) hot, humid summers and warm winters. The region is the traditional land of Bama Aboriginal people.

About nine percent of the region's population is indigenous, so it’s not surprising there’s culture galore here: indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders share their stories through music and dance at various cultural attractions.

Cairns Airport is a 7-kilometre, 10-15-minute drive north of the central city. It services Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane in QLD, and other Australian cities, and operates flights to some international destinations.

Cairns driving guide

Image: Bahnfrend (Own work), CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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.

Car hire Cairns Downtown driving tips

• 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.

• Be careful when driving at night, as animals such as kangaroos often stray onto the roads.

If you’re visiting from overseas, refer to our guide to driving in Australia for more information.

Parking your car hire in downtown Cairns

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.

Parking is free on public holidays.

Image: Steph Costa, CC-BY-SA-2.0, via Flickr

Staying in Cairns

Cairns has plenty of accommodation lining its picturesque waterfront. All options have their own unique draws, including stunning pools, proximity to tropical wildlife and fresh seafood restaurants.

● Pullman Reef Hotel Casino - This distinctive 20-metre-high glass dome boasts the 128-room Pullman Reef Hotel and a zoo.

● Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina - This 255-room, triangular-shaped luxury hotel boasts Coral Sea views, lush gardens and a sparkling centrepiece pool.

● BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut - A peaceful oasis set in landscaped grounds with a range of accommodation options.

Events in Cairns

Cairns isn’t all tropical rainforest and golden beaches. It also boasts some incredible events:

● Undara Outback Rock & Blues Festival (April) - This three-day music extravaganza features a range of high-quality acts.

● Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (July) - This annual, three-day event showcases the diverse cultures and artistic talents of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

● Reef Feast Palm Cove (October) - This is North Queensland’s premier community event, celebrating the region’s cuisine, fresh produce, live music, culture and lifestyle.

Things to do in Cairns

Visitors are spoilt for things to do in and around Cairns. The only thing you have to worry about is how to fit them all in.

● Cairns Botanical Gardens - The gardens have one of Australia’s best tropical plant exhibitions, as well as native animal and bird life.

● Kuranda Scenic Railway - Built more than 120 years ago, this two-hour each-way trip runs from Cairns to nearby Kuranda, taking you through incredible scenery.

● Swim at the Crystal Cascades - This swimming hole is one of Tropical North Queensland’s hidden gems. It’s nestled in tropical rainforest and features several small waterfalls flowing into large pools.

Find your rental car and get started exploring Cairns and the rest of Queensland today.