City in Queensland, Australia
Internet in Cairns: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Cairns?
Median fixed broadband in Australia is 174 Mbps and mobile is 121 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Free wifi in many cafés and hostels; speed varies. Mobile signal fades outside town and in the Daintree.
Getting online in Cairns
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | NBN fibre or fixed wireless in town; 100 Mbps plans cost about A$70–90 a month. |
| Cafés and coworking | Free wifi in many cafés and hostels; speed varies. Mobile signal fades outside town and in the Daintree. |
| Tourist SIM | 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. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | Telstra, Optus, Vodafone |
| Monthly data plan | A$30–50 ($21–35) |
Coworking in Cairns
There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.
Internet speeds in Oceania
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
| Country | Fixed | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 215 Mbps | 145 Mbps |
| Australia | 174 Mbps | 121 Mbps |
| Papua New Guinea | 68 Mbps | — |
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Cairns?
Median fixed broadband in Australia is 174 Mbps and mobile is 121 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Free wifi in many cafés and hostels; speed varies. Mobile signal fades outside town and in the Daintree.
Which SIM card should I get in Cairns?
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.
Can I use an eSIM in Australia?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
More about Cairns
Going to Cairns solo?
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Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: Australia
- Telstra
- Optus
- Vodafone
- Cairns Airport
- Tourism Tropical North Queensland
- TransLink Queensland
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.