Do You Need A Car In Cairns?
You don't need a car to explore Cairns, but having one does help you explore the rainforest outside the city with more flexibility! Cairns is a charming, lively city that is easy to explore on foot or with public transport. It's also not a huge city, so most of the downtown attractions are within walking distance of each other and popular accommodations.
That being said, many travellers may prefer to have a car in Cairns if they want to spend lots of time exploring the outskirts of the city. Places like the Atherton Tablelands, Port Douglas, and the Daintree Rainforest may be easier to visit with your own car. But it's totally up to you! There are lots of great day tours that include transport to and from the jungles and waterfalls around Cairns. So you don't need a car, but there is plenty to do if you have one or decide to rent one.
We're going to discuss the best ways to get around Cairns in detail so you can decide whether or not you want a car for your trip to Queensland's Tropical North!
Is It Easy To Get Around Cairns Without A Car?
It is very easy to get around Cairns without a car if you like walking. From the sunny Cairns Esplanade, to the bustling street markets, to the streets filled with tropical birds, colourful street art, and towering trees, walking is the best way to sightsee in Cairns. You can walk to most of the main attractions in downtown Cairns, and Ubers or taxis are available if you don't feel like walking.
If you've booked Great Barrier Reef tours, you can often add on round-trip transfers from your accommodation to the marina. But the Cairns Marina is an easy walk from downtown, so you don't necessarily need a car or transport. So it's very easy to get around Cairns without a car, but you may want one for exploring outside the city!
Explore the Great Barrier Reef with these popular day tours!
How Do You Get Around Cairns City?
The main ways to get around Cairns city are walking, taking a public bus, or using Uber/taxis. Of course, if you do have a car already you can also drive around the city. But if you're planning to explore Cairns without a car, here are your top options.
Exploring Cairns On Foot
Walking is the most popular way to get around Cairns, especially for budget travellers because walking is free! Top local attractions like the Cairns Esplanade, the Lagoon, Rusty's Fruit Markets, Cairns Night Markets, and Cairns Aquarium are all located in the main city centre. You can also walk to the best shops, galleries, museums, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in Cairns.
But if the Queensland heat is making you feel weary, or you're just tired after a night out dancing in Cairns, just play it safe and take a taxi or Uber. You may also be wondering, "Is it safe to walk around Cairns?" and yes, Cairns is overall a very safe city. Crime rates are pretty low for tourists, but you'd still want to take any standard travel precautions. Keep your belongings close and secure, and maybe avoid walking home alone at night just in case. Nightlife is huge in Cairns among backpackers, so walk home in a group or just take an Uber to be safe.
Public Bus
Cairns has public buses throughout the city centre that travel to the outskirts of the city as well. Translink is the local bus company that stops at many hotspots between downtown Cairns, the Northern Beaches, and the southern suburbs. You can pay with a valid city transport card (called a "go" card), or you can tap on or off the bus with your contactless credit or debit card. And you can always buy paper tickets as well!
Uber or Taxi
In case the public bus doesn't go to your exact destination, or you're trying to travel outside operating hours, Uber or Taxi are available in Cairns! This is the most popular way to get around besides walking, especially at night. Because the Cairns city centre isn't that big, you probably won't have to travel too far and Ubers will be pretty cheap.
Tour Transfers
Most Great Barrier Reef tours depart from the Cairns Marlin Marina. Though this is within easy walking distance of the city centre, you may be wondering how to get there if your accommodation is a bit far from downtown. You can take a taxi or Uber, but you also check to see if your tour company offers pick-ups. Many reef tours offer transfers for a small fee, so that can be the most convenient way to get to the marina in Cairns.
Exploring Outside Cairns
The main reason why you might want a car in Cairns is for exploring the forests, jungles, waterfalls, mountains, and rural towns outside the city. But even if you don't have a car, you can get to many nearby natural attractions by public transport or with a guided tour. Here is a rundown of your options for travelling beyond the Cairns CBD!
Car or Campervan Hire In Cairns
Hiring a car or campervan in Cairns gives you the ultimate freedom to road-trip around this lush part of Tropical North Queensland. There are plenty of places to rent a car or hire a campervan in Cairns so you choose your ideal vehicle. Places like the Daintree Rainforest, Atherton Tablelands, Kuranda, Mossman Gorge, and nearby hiking trails like Walshs Pyramid have limited public transport, so a car is your only option besides a guided tour.
If you're just planning on taking day trips around Cairns, a small hire car is perfect. You don't need a 4WD unless you're going further north from Cape Tribulation. Or if you plan t do some multi-day adventures, a campervan can be handy because you can sleep in your van! Whatever option you choose, Cairns and the surrounding areas are gorgeous places for a road trip.
Guided Tours
The easiest way to explore the landscapes around Cairns is with a guided tour. You get picked up right at your accommodation (if it's within the outlined pick-up area), then your guide brings you to the attractions and returns you home at the end of the day. All transport, directions, fuel, and itineraries are taken care of so you don't need to plan a thing!
Tours are also ideal for solo travellers and backpackers who want a fun, social experience where they can make new friends. Another benefit of a guided tour is the local knowledge you get from your guide. Whether you want to explore cultural sites, charming towns, hidden waterfalls, ancient rainforests, or go on an adrenaline-filled adventure tour, there are so many amazing tours to choose from in Cairns!
Public Bus
Public buses are also available for travelling to nearby destinations outside Cairns. For example, the Trans North buses travel between Cairns and Cookdown multiple times a week. You can catch this coach bus if you want to visit towns along the coast like Palm Cove, Port Douglas, Mossman, or Cape Tribulation in the Daintree. Trans North also runs routes between Cairns and Atherton, where you can stop off in Kuranda or the Rainforestation Park on the way.
Buses are a cheap way to get around the Cairns area. The downside is that they take longer and you can't move freely on your own schedule, which you can do with a car. If you're travelling as a family you may want to just have the flexibility of your own car so you don't have to corral kids onto a bus. If you're a couple you may want the privacy and romance of a campervan rental. Or if you're a backpacker you may prefer the cheap public bus or the social vibe of a group tour. So the way you choose to get around Cairns is up to you, but there are multiple options to choose from!
