The Best Holiday Apartments to Book in Cairns, Queensland

Cairns Aquarius doesn’t assume that a mere waterfront room is enough. Sure, the standard apartments are light and airy, embracing you with the bay breeze. The premium apartments up the ante with a bit of added flair thanks to modern furnishings – but it’s the huge kitchen and superbly long waterfront views from the balcony of the premium plus holiday apartments in Cairns that really succeed in checking off every box on your vacay wish list.

With the iconic Esplanade Lagoon right outside your door, it doesn’t matter if you choose a garden view or ocean view apartment at BreakFree Royal Harbor. What matters, though, is how you make the most of these one-bedroom holiday apartments in Cairns. You could spend hours on the balcony, doing nothing more than enjoying the view of the Esplanade – but we’d recommend walking the coastal strip as soon as you can.

Come for the traditional Queenslander heritage decor, stay for the local bites at Cairns Queenslander Hotel. Think spiced grilled barramundi, salt and pepper squid and housemade spring rolls – which can all be sent up to your door, giving you the opportunity to really appreciate your apartment. The monsoon shower is one of our favourite perks and definitely worth writing home about from the comfortable writing desk. Just as you sign warmest regards in your journal, a plate of supreme surf and turf at your door will make you add a PS to your note.

After a day spent exploring the Daintree Rainforest, you’ll be thankful that 181 the Esplanade provides a fully-furnished apartment. It’ll feel so nice kicking off your shoes and whipping up a quick meal in your kitchen – before sinking into a warm spa bath. If you can muscle up the energy to head downstairs, the pool adjoining the lagoon is an excellent place to soak up superb views. Although we’d argue, they look even better from your private balcony.

New to the Far North Queensland laid-back lifestyle? Tropical Towers Apartments will help you settle in. The resort-style pool and spa are where you’ll get an introduction to leisure before advancing to level two: barbecuing while hanging by the pool. If that sounds like a lot of hard work, feel free to take all the time you need to recoup on your private balcony. When you’re ready for a more challenging set of fun activities, the tour desk will gladly help you find the right place to kick back around Cairns.

City Terraces makes holidays in Cairns truly special with its unique offering of organised child care. Spend your days with the little ones, hopping around Muddy’s Playground and sniffing flowers at the Cairns Botanic Gardens. When the sun starts to fall, let the concierge know that it’s time to call in the troops. While Busy Bees watch the kids, head out for a show at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, grab waterside cocktails at Rocco by Crystalbrook – or lock the door to your bedroom and savour some uninterrupted alone time.

As lovely as island life must be, you’ll be happy that Coral Towers is merely close to – not on – Fitzroy Island. You’d enjoy ocean views in both locations, but these holiday apartments have more than a shoreline outside their doors. Follow the Esplanade south and you’ll be at the Zoom and Wildlife Dome in no time. Closer still is the Cairns Aquarium, where you’ll be able to get a look at all of the marine life you couldn’t spot while diving off Fitzroy.

Act as lazy as a swaying palm tree beside the tropical pools at Southern Cross Atrium. These laid-back holiday apartments in Cairns entice you to relax with a heated plunge pool, sauna and outdoor gazebo where the grill is always smoking something tasty. Your deluxe room has nearly everything you need: a full kitchen, balcony or patio and private laundry facilities. The only thing you’re missing can be found downstairs at the souvenir shop – a postcard and stamps to make your mates back home wish they were here.

Piermonde Apartments were seemingly designed specifically for holidays in Cairns. Not only is the Great Barrier Reef accessible via charter cruises from the terminal, but your self-catering apartment is right off Wharf Street. The Reef Casino, Cairns Aquarium, Marlin Marina and other popular attractions are just minutes away, too. Prefer simpler pleasures in life? Just pick a spot by the pool to watch both sunrise and sunset each night.

Cheap accommodation in Cairns doesn’t mean having to miss out on luxury and Waters Edge won’t take your budget to the edge in their affordable accommodations. Oceanfront three-bedroom apartments aren’t hard to afford when you’re splitting the bill with six. Save a little extra by cooking your meals in the gourmet kitchen – the balcony views of the Trinity Inlet are as good as any fine dining restaurant. Want to splurge every last penny? Rent out the unit with the deck that lets you effortlessly swim out into the pool.