Hoping to spend a tropical vacation in Australia? Look no further; the tropical touristy town of Cairns in Northern Queensland welcomes you with the most gorgeous beaches in the Land Down Under!
Flanked by the Great Barrier Reef on the front and the West Tropics Rainforest on the back, the coastal city is home to several famous beaches, including Trinity Beach and Palm Cove. Prepare for a weekend of deep dives, sandy adventures, and swaying palm trees on every turf.
If it’s your first time visiting, start with these nine best beaches in Cairns and rent a car through Klook for your adventure!
🔥 Australia & New Zealand Essentials
🦘 Popular Attractions in Australia & New Zealand
✨ More Activities in Australia & New Zealand to explore
1. Ellis Beach
Photo Credit: denisbin on Flickr (Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0))
There’s no better place to start your beach hopping trip than the idyllic Ellis Beach. The northernmost beach is among the most overlooked beaches in Cairns, Queensland’s best-kept secret, known only among the hardcore beach bums and well-seasoned travelers.
By rounding the corner of the Great Barrier Reef Drive, you’ll stumble across a long stretch of pristine white sand, coconut trees, and a tropical rainforest waiting to be explored. The best part is, you’ll have it all to yourself! Fun fact: Ellis Beach had a total population of 24 in 2016.
2. Palm Cove
Photo Credit: Ian Cochrane on Flickr (Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0))
From Ellis Beach, you don’t have to travel far to the tropical paradise of Palm Cove. Just a quick four-minute drive away, this picturesque strip of sand with its slew of 500-year-old Melaluca trees awaits.
Here is where you’ll discover the bluest waters in Australia. Plus, plenty of beachside restaurants, cafes, and ice cream parlors to boot. Crank up the romance in the air with a seafood picnic gourmet carefully prepared by Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort & Spa, and even stop by for breakfast at Reef House for champagne and a clear view of the Coral Sea, where the Great Barrier Reef can be found.
3. Clifton Beach
Photo Credit: Derek Keats on Flickr (Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0))
For somewhere a little quieter, Clifton Beach offers a tranquil escape, one that’s brimming with wave-sized adventures. In this stunning stretch of sand, you’ll catch surfers — pro or first timers — riding waves and swells as tall as three feet to six feet high! Stopping by Clifton Beach during your Cairns getaway is also a great opportunity to grill some barbecues and watch the sunset.
4. Kewarra Beach
Photo Credit: Kikki Starr (@kikki_s) on Unsplash
How do firewood pizzas and tapas on sand sound to you? If these are some of your favorite things, then a stop at Kewarra is a must! This beach in Cairns serves up a delectable selection of seaside munches. The Beach Shack offers awesome cocktails, ice-cold beer, and live music for the ultimate tropical vibes! Many Cairns locals also like to gather at Kewarra Beach to walk their dogs, splash in the sea, and go fishing.
5. Trinity Beach
Photo Credit: Kikki Starr (@kikki_s) on Unsplash
Hole up at the poshest turf in Queensland! Trinity Beach is home to several fabulous five-star stays and resorts jam-packed with astonishing views of the Coral Sea and Earl Hill. Wake up to the sunrise, gentle waves, and beachfront cabanas under coconut trees when you spend the night at Vue Luxury Apartments. Outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy a relaxing hike up the summit of Earl Hill.
6. Yorkeys Knob
Photo Credit: David Clode (@davidclode) on Unsplash
Popular beaches aside, it’s nice to spend some quiet time away from the bustle of crowds, and Yorkeys Knob is just the perfect Cairns beach for it! In this hidden gem, you’ll enjoy boatloads of water activities undisturbed. Race against the winds as you kite surf, ride the waves on a stand-up paddle board, or try a new hobby: spearfishing! When you’re ready to take it easy breezy, have a luxurious dinner on the yacht at Marina Bay and hear the coos of the Kookaburras echoing around.
7. Holloways Beach
Photo Credit: Ben Ramirez on Flickr (Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0))
Another beach in Cairns that’s best for catching up on some “me time” is Holloways Beach, a sleepy seaside village blessed with golden shores and gentle rolling waves. Ready your picnic mats, grab a book, and have your tropical vacay playlist on loop — this side of Cairns is made for the introverts! Of course, to liven things up, Holloways Beach also has several fantastic beach markets, where you can shop for fun trinkets, jewelry, and souvenir items and sip good coffee!
8. Machans Beach
Photo Credit: Ron Lach on Pexels
Out of all the beaches in Cairns, Machans Beach has got to be the liveliest one. From dance parties to beach volleyball matches, this turf never runs out of fun festivities for everyone. Take this opportunity to get acquainted with the local community while spending quality time with the family. Although there aren’t any fancy resorts in town, what’s great about Machan Beach is its small quaint apartments and holiday houses that set an eclectic and relaxing mood altogether.
Klook Tip: Machans Beach is only a ten-minute drive from Cairns CBD, so save this stop as your last (or first)!
9. Bonus: Nudey Beach
Photo Credit: Bailey Cullen on Unsplash
If you’re looking for beaches near Cairns, then Nudey Beach’s one not to be missed! Although coming here might be a journey — taking the ferry to Fitzroy Island — trust us, it’s worth the ride! Surrounded by white coral sand beaches and warm blue tropical waters, you’ll get whisked away to paradise.
Nudey Beach is the premier destination for snorkeling amongst the vibrant marine life of the Great Barrier Reef. As for animal lovers, its rainforest is filled with the most curious critters on the planet (Emerald Doves, cockatoos, skinks, white-bellied sea eagles, and more).
Now that you know about the best beaches in Cairns, we wish you a wonderful splashing time when you visit each of them!
