Car Hire Cairns

The tropical city of Cairns is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and so is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia. Cairns also has a rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, which influences the cultural feel of the city. Near to Cairns city, you’ll find the Daintree National Park, which includes ancient rainforest, mountains, and beaches.

If you’re travelling to Cairns for a family holiday, you’ll find that renting a car is the easiest way to get around the area. At Avis Australia, we offer a fleet of rental vehicles suitable for families large and small, and we have three rental locations in the Cairns area:

• Cairns City
• Cairns Airport
• Palm Cove Resort

Public Transport in Cairns

If you’re flying into Cairns, we have a rental office conveniently located at Cairns Airport, so you can just pick up your keys and go.

If you need to reach any of our rental offices by public transport from Cairns city or the surrounding towns, you can use the public bus network.

Things to Do in Cairns

The major drawcard for Cairns is, of course, the Great Barrier Reef, and you’d be crazy to pass up the chance of experiencing the stunning beauty of the world’s largest coral reef. Snorkelling and diving trips are popular, however, it’s important to choose a reputable company to avoid damage to the reef. If you’d rather see the reef from the air, you can take a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter tour, which gives you a whole new perspective on one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Fitzroy Island is located on the reef, a 45-minute speedboat trip from Cairns. It’s a popular location for relaxing on the reef, or for taking a glass-bottom boat tour around the island.

In Cairns city itself, the Esplanade Lagoon is one of the most popular spots. This safe outdoor family swimming pool overlooking the ocean is free to enter and includes changing facilities and a picnic area. There’s also a playground area with café. Alongside the lagoon, the Esplanade Boardwalk is a pleasant walking and biking track with plenty of shade, and lots of shops and cafes to explore.

Cairns and the surrounding area is known as being an area of stunning natural beauty. Cairns Botanic Gardens is one place to experience the tropical flora and fauna of northern Australia in the heart of the city. Cairns Aquarium is another popular spot with families. You can get up-close with a huge variety of tropical fish and animals from North Queensland’s rivers, creeks, mangroves, and rainforests.

If you’d rather experience the real thing, the Daintree Rainforest can be reached in a couple of hours from Cairns. The closer Josephine Falls is another beautiful natural location to explore.

Cairns Weather

Cairns has a tropical climate with mild winters and hot and humid summers. Average temperatures range from 17 - 26°C in the winter months to 23- 32°C in the summer.

Average humidity is 62%, and the area sees a lot of rain, particularly in the summer months. Humidity tends to build towards the afternoon, and thunderstorms are common in the evening.

Fuelling Locations in Cairns

There are several service stations throughout Cairns city and the surrounding area, so it’s convenient to fill up your rental vehicle before returning it to Avis. The closest to the airport is Puma on Arnold Street, just off Aeroglen Drive. There’s also a Mobil and Stratford Driveway Discount fuels on Rinks Close. Caltex on Sheridan Street is the closest service station to our Cairns city rental location.

Distances to Cairns Attractions

The following distances are from Cairns Airport, where you can find one of Avis’s car rental locations, to some of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.

• Cairns Esplanada 5.5km
• Cairns Aquarium 5.5km
• Cairns Botanical Gardens 4km
• Josephine Falls 80km
• Daintree Rainforest 125km

FAQs

What is Cairns, Australia famous for?

Cairns is most famous for being the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. It’s also known for its Aboriginal culture and location close to the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest.

What can you do for free in Cairns?

The beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and rainforests around Cairns are completely free to explore. In the city, the Esplanade Pool offers great facilities for families with no entrance fee. There are also several free art galleries in the city.

Most Popular Cities In Queensland

Car Hire Brisbane

Car Hire Gold Coast

Car Hire Cairns 

Most Popular Airports In Queensland

Car Hire Brisbane Airport

Car Hire Gold Coast Airport

Car Hire Cairns Airport 

Check out Australia's finest experiences & destinations on Avis’ luxury travel guide.