City in Queensland, Australia
Cairns
Tropical gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree and Atherton Tablelands, with a big backpacker scene. Small and humid; the town itself has little to do beyond tours.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,640–3,610Comfortable, one person · A$3,800–5,200Details
- Value for money27/100Better value than 26% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–OctWarmest: Dec, 32°CDetails
- Air quality5.8 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2024) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet174 MbpsFixed broadband, Australia medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$56–104Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessTap-to-pay works almost everywhere.Details
Where to stay in Cairns
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Cairns CBD and Esplanade | Hostels, tour offices, lagoon pool and restaurants |
| Edge Hill–Whitfield | Quieter leafy suburbs with longer rentals |
| Trinity Beach–Palm Cove | Beach stays 20–30 min north of town |
Apps that work in Cairns
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp, iMessage/SMS
- BOM Weather: Official forecasts and storm, heat, fire warnings
- Emergency+: Calls 000 and reads out your GPS location
- Taxis: Taxis are metered. Few drivers go to remote areas late; book return rides ahead.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Australia.
- Practically cashless Tap-to-pay works almost everywhere. Carry some cash for remote roadside stalls and small Daintree shops.
- Currency: Dollar (AUD). US$1 ≈ A$1.44 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs are everywhere in towns; independent machines in pubs and shops charge about A$3–4. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected; wages are high. Rounding up or about 10% for great restaurant service is appreciated. Weekend and public-holiday surcharges (10–15%) remain legal.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere, including contactless transit fares in Sydney and Brisbane.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Most visitors need an ETA, applied for only in the Australian ETA app (A$20 service charge), or a free eVisitor for EU and UK passports.
- Visitor visas don't allow work for Australian businesses; 18–30-year-olds (up to 35 for some nationalities) can apply for a Working Holiday visa.
- Biosecurity is strict: declare all food, plant and animal products on arrival; bags are X-rayed and false declarations bring fines or visa cancellation.
Emergency numbers
Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000
Plugs
Type I · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from airports, supermarkets and post offices, about A$30–50 for 28 days; passport ID check at activation. Telstra covers the outback best. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Australia
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.