The dreamiest Airbnbs in Cairns to call home

Jemma FletcherBy Jemma Fletcher
hero media
Settle into one of these stylish Airbnbs on your next tropical escape.

With so much natural beauty to see and explore in Tropical North Queensland, finding the perfect accommodation to rest and recharge in is a must. Basing yourself in an Airbnb in Cairns is ideal for longer stays as they’re affordable, offer great amenities and the option to work and play if you wish, and provide those familiar home touches we love.

From soaking in your own private hot tub to getting cosy in a tiny house in the rainforest, settle into one of these top 10 Cairns Airbnbs.

1. Seaside Azul

the pool at Seaside Azul, Airbnb Cairns
Cool off in the rooftop pool at Seaside Azul.

Best for: City centre location

Just a 15-minute stroll to Cairns Esplanade and directly next to Cairns Central Shopping Centre, the cosy Seaside Azul studio is for those who want to stay close to the action.

After waking up in the king-sized bed and whipping up a Nespresso machine coffee, head up to the shared rooftop pool and spa, complete with alfresco dining and sun loungers, where you can enjoy the balmy weather and views of the city.

Location: Cairns City

Average price: $$

BOOK NOW

2. Sky High

a private tub with a view at Sky High, Airbnb Cairns
Soak up the views from your private tub.

Best for: Private hot tub
From the moment you walk through the chic front doors of Sky High, you’ll be greeted by views of Cairns City from your balcony which is superbly positioned at sunrise.

Equipped with a full kitchen, laundry facilities, and two bedrooms, the main attraction is your very own private hot tub. Pop some bubbles and enjoy.

Location: Bayview Heights (10 minutes from Cairns City)

Average price: $$$

BOOK NOW

3. Rainforest Sunsets

a bedroom with nature views at Rainforest Sunsets, Airbnb Cairns
Immerse yourself in nature at Rainforest Sunsets.

Best for: Romantic mountain escape

For a romantic escape that feels like camping but offers much more luxury, get out of the city and head to the mountain village of Kuranda for a stay at Rainforest Sunsets.

This tiny house is perfect for holidaymakers looking to immerse themselves in nature, yet want a comfy bed, shower, and coffee on hand too. In the evening, light up the outdoor fire pit and watch the spectacular sunset views overlooking rolling green hills.

Location: Kuranda

Average price: $$$

BOOK NOW

3. Maison Daintree

an aerial view of Maison Daintree, Airbnb Cairns
Be surrounded by lush greenery at the tranquil, three-bedroom Maison Daintree.

Best for: Comfort and space

Close to Cairns Botanic Gardens is Maison Daintree, a three-bedroom home with an elegant design and spacious layout.

The outdoor space is equally impressive, featuring a private pool complemented by a meticulously landscaped garden that provides a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Location: Whitfield

Average price: $$$

BOOK NOW

4. Coral Sea View

a Coral Sea View Airbnb in Cairns with a pool and balcony
Enjoy the elevated pool at Coral Sea View.

Best for: Close to the beach

Just one street back from the beach is Coral Sea View with plenty of space for up to four people, an elevated pool to enjoy and a balcony with magnificent views. Location is everything here, being a short 5-minute stroll to the restaurants and shops of Trinity Beach.

Location: Trinity Beach

Average price: $$$

BOOK NOW

5. Pura Vida

an aerial view of Pura Vida, Airbnb Cairns
Take in the coastal beauty of Cairns at Pura Vida.

Best for: Coastal luxury

Found in the coastal town of Palm Cove, Pura Vida is a modern four-bedroom home with a private in-ground pool and outdoor entertaining area.

With its minimalist design, high ceilings, and walls of glass that seamlessly connect the indoor and outdoor areas, this stunning property creates a sense of freedom and endless space.

Location: Palm Cove

Average price: $$$$

BOOK NOW

7. Stoney Treehouse

an Airbnb in Cairns with nature views at Stoney Treehouse
Be surrounded by tropical rainforest at Stoney Treehouse.

Best for: Nature-lovers

Nestled along the serene waters of Stoney Creek is Stoney Treehouse , surrounded by tropical rainforest. Just a short drive from Cairns yet wonderfully tranquil with waterfalls and hiking trails on your doorstep, it’s the perfect base for adventure and relaxation.

Location: Stoney Creek

Average price: $$$$

BOOK NOW

8. Belle Escapes Cairns

the pool at Belle Escapes Cairns
Head straight to the pool for a refreshing dip at Belle Escapes Cairns.

Best for: Perfect for two couples

Another incredible Airbnb option in Palm Cove is Belle Escapes, a tropical haven in the exclusive Oceans Edge neighbourhood.

With three tranquil bedrooms, an alfresco area set around a pool, and only footsteps away from the vibrant Williams Esplanade, you’ll never want to leave. For an additional charge, guests can also access the Ocean Edge Health Club with a fully equipped gymnasium, 25-metre lap pool, sauna, crèche and cafe.

Location: Palm Cove

Average price: $$$$$

BOOK NOW

Discover the unmissable things to do in Cairns

Jemma Fletcher
Based in sun-kissed Brisbane, Jemma Fletcher is an accomplished writer, editor and content manager. Armed with a Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Queensland, as well as over a decade of tourism marketing experience, Jemma now specialises in freelance travel writing and has a soft spot for the beauty of Queensland. Her expertise has been honed through her previous roles as Chief Editor of Queensland.com and WeekendNotes.com and she is the passionate creator of High Cup of Tea, an online directory celebrating Australia's finest high tea experiences. After growing up in the UK (hence her love for tea and scones) and a delightful chapter in Sydney, Jemma loves to explore quaint towns with a rich history. Also high on her weekend list is tasting the local cafe scene, enjoying charming farm stays with her young family and deciding where her next travel adventure will be (half of the fun is in the planning!)
See all articles
a woman walking by the pool at Crystalbrook Flynn, best accommodation in Cairns
Cairns

The ultimate guide to the best accommodation in Cairns

Accommodation in Cairns is as diverse as its landscape, so you can afford to be choosy on your next sojourn to Tropical North Queensland.

Read more
a balcony with sea view at Mantra Trilogy Cairns
Cairns

13 hotels and resorts in Cairns you should know about

Your go-to list on where to spend your next luxury escape in Cairns.

Read more
a private tub with sea views at Drift Palm Cove accommodation
Cairns

The absolute best accommodation in Palm Cove to try now

Your go-to guide on where to find Palm Cove accommodation to suit all budgets.

Read more
view of Cairns from the Esplanade
Cairns

Top Towns for 2022: How three lavish accommodations reinvented Cairns

With its trio of sustainable hotels and plethora of wining and dining options, Crystalbrook Collection is helping revitalise this perennially popular holiday spot.

Read more
hero media

What it’s really like to stay on the world’s largest sand island

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
    Continue
    Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

    The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort  with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

    But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

    Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

    Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

    Exploring K’gari

    ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
    Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

    This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

    If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

    The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

    kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island
    Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

    If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

    While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

    The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

    Unwind at sunset

    two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort
    Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

    As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

    The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

    When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

    Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

    Indulge and disconnect

    woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa
    Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

    The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

    Getting there

    kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island
    The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.