When we talk about family holidays, we all love Northern Queensland, especially Cairns. Cairns is truly one of Australia's top family holiday destinations thanks to its great sunny weather and heaps of fun things to do with your kids. It is a convenient gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, and Port Douglas.
Suppose you’re eyeing Cairns as your holiday destination. In that case, we’re sure you’ll be scouring the ‘net for family-friendly accommodation in Cairns. To save you the trouble, we’ve compiled a list of the top Cairns family accommodation you can book for you and the whole family! We’ve also added in fun Cairns activities to do with your kids while you’re here.
Here are 10 family accommodation in Cairns you can choose from:
- Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
- Rydges Esplanade Cairns Resort
- Mantra Esplanade Cairns
- Crystalbrook Riley
- Bay Village Tropical Retreat & Apartments
- 181 The Esplanade
- Pacific Hotel Cairns
- Cairns Queenslander Hotel & Apartments
- Piermonde Apartments - Cairns
- The Lakes Cairns Resort & Spa
1. Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
If you’re looking for family-friendly Cairns accommodation, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort is the answer. It's within walking distance to must-visit landmarks, such as Esplanade and Cairns Aquarium, among others. Plus, it boasts a lagoon pool, a sandy beach, a kiddie pool for the little kids, and a swim-up bar for the adults!
What to do near the hotel: Head to North Queensland’s most famous parks with this 4-Park Pass from Klook! Spend a fun day out with the kids exploring four different parks: Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Wildlife Habitat, and Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome. Children aged four below are free of charge.
2. Rydges Esplanade Resort
Wake up to the beautiful views of the Coral Sea or the Cairns Hinterland at the comfort of your own balcony at Rydges Esplanade Resort! This four-star hotel is an excellent combination of comfort and style. Its Family Room has a queen bed plus a set of bunk beds for the kids—a perfect Cairns family accommodation.
What to do near the hotel: Visit Wildlife Habitat! Get the chance to see four distinct environments in one place, and don’t miss out on the opportunity to grab a meal with the zoo’s friendly bird species. You can also book a private Your Wildlife Habitat Tour for a two-hour animal experience and impressive dining experience for you and the whole fam.
3. Mantra Esplanade Cairns
For those on a budget, Mantra Esplanade Cairns is one of the budget-friendly Cairns family accommodations on this list. It’s just five minutes away from Reef Fleet Terminal, so it’s ideal for families planning to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Mantra Esplanade offers self-contained apartments and modern hotel rooms catered to every kind of family. All rooms even have balconies that provide scenic coastal or alpine views!
What to do near the hotel: Challenge the Ropes Course at Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome. For families who love staying active, Cairns ZOOM has heaps of thrilling obstacle courses for your enjoyment. One of them is PowerJump, a heart-stopping free-fall adventure that concludes with a 13-metre drop! Your general admission ticket can be upgraded to include a ZOOM activity or a private wildlife experience.
4. Crystalbrook Riley
Go all out on your family holiday and experience luxury like never before at Crystalbrook Riley. The hotel’s family rooms feature adjoining bedrooms, twin balconies, and lots of space for the whole family to enjoy. If you’re wondering how to pass the time, the Riley has plenty of amenities—swim in the lagoon, relax by the man-made beach, or stream your favourite show on your own room’s Smart TV. The possibilities are endless!
What to do near the hotel: Explore the Cairns Aquarium. Suitable for kids and kids-at-heart, Cairns Aquarium holds an impressive display of vibrant marine life and exotic land animals. Discover 10 North Queensland ecosystems from the aquarium’s over 70 exhibits! Coming at noon? You can add a two-course lunch at Dundee’s Restaurant with your ticket.
5. Bay Village Tropical Retreat & Apartments
Family holidays also mean relaxation time for mum and dad. Bay Village Tropical Retreat & Apartments makes sure that all your needs are taken care of. Book this family-friendly accommodation in Cairns, and you don’t have to worry about lifting a finger during your stay! Its apartments exude a homey vibe that will instantly keep you comfy throughout your trip.
What to do near the hotel: Dive with sharks at Cairns Aquarium! Bay Village is minutes away from the famed aquarium, where you can test your courage and go face-to-face with friendly sharks. You can also head to the Reef Tank to meet giant stingrays, Queensland groupers, and more adorable water creatures.
6. 181 The Esplanade
Enjoy your family holiday in private when you stay at one of 181 The Esplanade’s apartments. Its excellent location and fantastic balcony views make it one of the best Cairns family accommodations out there. It even has a swimming pool you can wade in during your free time!
What to do near the hotel: Go on a Twilight Tour at Cairns Aquarium. Explore the aquarium by sunset and witness its nocturnal residents come to life. Afterwards, you get to enjoy a superb dining experience at Dundee Restaurant with the aquarium as your backdrop. Coming as a family of four? You get even more savings with a Family Ticket!
7. Pacific Hotel Cairns
At Pacific Hotel Cairns, you’ll find your own tropical oasis. Its tropical-inspired and boutique-style rooms are complete with amenities that will make sure your comfort comes first during your family holiday!
What to do near the hotel: Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns. Venture into a trip through quaint suburbs and the lush Aussie countryside aboard the train’s classic Heritage Carriage. The journey begins at Cairns and includes stops at Barron Falls and Freshwater Railway Station.
8. Cairns Queenslander Hotel & Apartments
Boasting the traditional Queenslander hospitality, Cairns Queenslander Hotel & Apartments is another affordable family-friendly accommodation in Cairns. Its spacious two-bedroom family apartment features a kitchenette, private balcony, queen bed, and two single beds. As a bonus, the hotel is located at the city's heart, making it accessible to other landmarks.
What to do near the hotel: Go on a one-day Green Island Reef cruise tour from Cairns! The hotel is near the Reef Fleet Terminal, where this cruise tour departs. From the terminal, you’ll hop on a catamaran and sail to Green Island Reef, where you can spend the rest of the day snorkelling or getting a tan by the beach.
9. Piermonde Apartments - Cairns
Make the most of your holiday by staying at a family accommodation right at the heart of Cairns. Piermonde Apartments is a stone’s throw away from Cairns Domestic & International Airports and Cairns CBD. The hotel is ideal for families who have their whole day planned and would like to relax in their own apartment by the end of the day.
What to do near the hotel: Visit the Kuranda Koala Gardens. If you and the kids want to experience cuddling a koala, you should visit this sanctuary. The Gardens is less than an hour’s drive from Cairns CBD and is home to adorable animals such as smiling quokkas, wallabies, wombats, and more. Guess what—families of four can book the family package for more savings!
10. The Lakes Cairns Resort & Spa
For your family holiday, instantly feel at home at the award-winning Lakes Cairns Resort & Spa. The kids will definitely love its four swimming pools, and parents will absolutely enjoy how spacious its apartments are. Complete with standard resort amenities and facilities, this family-friendly Cairns accommodation offers two and three-bedroom apartments for you and the family!
What to do near the hotel: Witness kaleidoscopic bird species at Kuranda Bird World! Watch Australia’s native birds fly and play around this massive rainforest wonderland. Here you can even catch sight of the rare southern cassowary, Australia’s largest flightless bird.