10 Best Motels in Cairns: Find Cheap Motels in Cairns 2026

Q: What are the best motels in Cairns?

Heritage Cairns : Stay within a 5-minute drive of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. Enjoy access to the free WiFi and parking, as well as room amenities like air conditioning. Cairns Queens Court : Free WiFi and free parking are available during your stay, along with room amenities like air conditioning. You'll be located within a 5-minute drive of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. The Reef Motel : Enjoy access to the outdoor pool, and freebies including WiFi and parking. Stay within a 5-minute drive of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. Cairns Southgate Hotel : It's located within a 10-minute drive of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. Free WiFi and free parking are available during your stay, along with room amenities like a Smart TV. Lake Central : Stay within a 5-minute drive of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. Enjoy access to the laundry facilities and outdoor pool, as well as room amenities like a kitchenette.

A coastal town with dense forest, a mountain, and a large body of water.

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Our top choices for Cairns motels

1. Heritage Cairns

Cairns Central Business District

Cindy

AED 412 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Sep - 17 Sep

2. Cairns Queens Court

Cairns North

Samantha Jayne

AED 271 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sep - 9 Sep

3. Aspect Central

Cairns North

Raymond

AED 275 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Sep - 15 Sep

Desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board, cribs (free)

4. Nightcap at Balaclava Hotel

Earlville

Tammara

AED 331 total

includes taxes & fees

24 Aug - 25 Aug

5. Cairns Southgate Hotel

Earlville

Rachel

AED 381 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Sep - 14 Sep

6. Reef Palms Motel

Cairns North

Pagalavan

AED 423 total

includes taxes & fees

29 Aug - 30 Aug

Twin Room | Iron/ironing board, WiFi (free)

7. The Reef Motel

Cairns North

Rohan

AED 330 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sep - 8 Sep

Queen Ensuite Room | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board (on request), WiFi (free)

8. Cairns City Motel

Cairns Central Business District

Lan

AED 400 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Sep - 4 Sep

Apartment, 1 Bedroom | Blackout drapes, bed sheets

9. Lake Central

Cairns Central Business District

Cath

AED 417 total

includes taxes & fees

10 Sep - 11 Sep

10. Motel Nomad Cairns

Westcourt

Pablo

AED 351 total

includes taxes & fees

31 Aug - 1 Sep

11. A1 Inn the City

Cairns Central Business District

Bill

Studio, 1 Queen Bed | Pillowtop beds, desk, blackout drapes, soundproofing

12. Port Douglas Motel

Port Douglas

Linda

AED 588 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Aug - 20 Aug

Outdoor pool, pool umbrellas, sun loungers

13. Lazy Lizard Motor Inn

Port Douglas

Molly

AED 596 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Sep - 3 Sep

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Top Cairns Hotel Reviews

Pullman Cairns International

10/10 Excellent

"So central and convenient place to stay. The pool deck was amazing, the staff are great as well. Loved my stay and would book again."

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

8/10 Good

"Hotel and staff were nice. Location was about 30 mins walking from the pier and 8 min drive from airport. This meant it was a relatively quiet area (sometimes planes overhead). Pluses: a shuttle runs to the center 4 times a day, (unheated) pool on site, and free parking lot off street Negatives: only one outlet in the entire room (under a table). Mattress was a little lumpy and bathrooms a little dated - but not terrible."

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

10/10 Excellent

"We had a wonderful stay at Shangri-La Cairns, and while the hotel itself is in an excellent location and is both beautiful and comfortable, what truly made the experience exceptional was the outstanding service from the staff. From the moment we arrived, the team went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. Every interaction was warm, attentive, and genuinely thoughtful, and it was clear that nothing was too much trouble. The staff’s friendliness and care consistently elevated our stay and made everything feel effortless and well looked after. We also enjoyed the breakfast and the 5pm canapés, which were a lovely touch to start and end each day. Our room was clean, comfortable, and relaxing, but it was the exceptional service that truly defined our experience. Overall, it was a genuinely memorable stay, made special by the incredible staff, and we would happily return."

Frequently asked questions

What can I expect from a motel trip to Cairns?

If you're having difficulty finding a motel in Cairns, consider some of the motels we suggest around the area or let Expedia help you find a similar property from more than 1370 hotels and other lodging options. Simply use our search tools to filter by nightly room rate or cost-effective amenities such as free breakfast and free airport transportation.

What's it like to stay in a motel?

Motel properties often include free parking, and many also include an outdoor pool. Often one or two stories tall, motels usually have outdoor access to guestrooms from the parking lot. Beginning in the early 1950s, eye-catching neon signs enticed road-weary travelers, and you can see these today along the historic U.S. Route 66.

What are the best motels in Cairns?

Heritage Cairns: Stay within a 5-minute drive of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. Enjoy access to the free WiFi and parking, as well as room amenities like air conditioning. Cairns Queens Court: Free WiFi and free parking are available during your stay, along with room amenities like air conditioning. You'll be located within a 5-minute drive of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. The Reef Motel: Enjoy access to the outdoor pool, and freebies including WiFi and parking. Stay within a 5-minute drive of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. Cairns Southgate Hotel: It's located within a 10-minute drive of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. Free WiFi and free parking are available during your stay, along with room amenities like a Smart TV. Lake Central: Stay within a 5-minute drive of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. Enjoy access to the laundry facilities and outdoor pool, as well as room amenities like a kitchenette.

How many motels should I expect to find in Cairns?

Expedia has 15 low-cost motels in Cairns.

What things can I to do in Cairns?

Enjoy the beautiful coral reefs and lush rainforest in this walkable area while you're sightseeing. People visiting Cairns love its marina. These are some of the parks and outdoorsy places: Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland, and Crystal Cascades. You'll find these family-friendly attractions: Muddy's Playground, Sugarworld Waterpark, and Reef Teach. During your trip, here are some other places to visit: Cairns Night Markets, Reef Hotel Casino, and Cairns Performing Arts Centre.

What's the seasonal weather like in Cairns?

Weather can make or break a roadtrip, so we've gathered some data about year-round temperatures in Cairns to help you plan yours. The hottest months are usually January and February with an average temp of 80°F, while the coldest months are August and July with an average of 70°F. The rainiest months in Cairns are January, February, March, and December, with each month seeing an average of 11 inches of rainfall.

What are my options for getting around Cairns when staying in a motel?

We've gathered some information about local transportation options in Cairns to help you navigate your stay: Fly into Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS), which is located 3.5 mi (5.6 km) from the city center. If you want to see more of the area, hop aboard a train from Cairns Station, Freshwater Station, or Redlynch Station. You can find out about water travel options at the marina.

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