15 Of The Best Cairns Beaches | Australian Traveller

These are the beautiful Cairns beaches you need to explore right now.

Home to some of the most stunning coastlines in Queensland, you’re spoilt for choice on where to lay your beach towel in Cairns. Whether you prefer to take it easy relaxing in the sun, you want to have a go at spearing your own mud crabs, or a snorkelling adventure is more up your alley, there’s a flavour of beach to suit every type of traveller in Cairns.

It’s good to keep in mind that if there isn’t a stinger net available at your beach of choice, a stinger suit is recommended when entering the water in Tropical North Queensland, especially during the summer months (November to February).

1. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

At the heart of Cairns is its buzzing esplanade, home to the famous 4800 square metre Cairns Lagoon offering all-year-round safe swimming. With sandy shores and beach volleyball courts to enjoy, this is the closest beach to the city centre making it a convenient spot to stop for a dip. Nearby you’ll find public toilets and showers, lockers and electric BBQs. Aquatic wheelchairs are also available for visitors to use in the lagoon.

Distance from Cairns: 5 minutes
Safety information: Lifeguards are on duty.

2. Holloways Beach

One of the city’s most well-known northern beaches, Holloways Beach is a narrow, quiet beach, backed by palm trees — perfect for a coffee and a good book. The Holloways Beach Markets are held on the second Sunday of the month.

a scenic view of Holloways Beach, Cairns — Soak up the serenity at Holloways Beach. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Distance from Cairns: 13 minutes
Safety information: Lifeguards are on duty and there is a stinger net during the summer months.

3. Yorkeys Knob Beach

One of Cairns’ best-kept secrets, you’ll feel a million miles away at Yorkeys Knob Beach. Stretching for 1.5 kilometres, it’s large yet secluded — a wonderful option for young families to run around safely. There are two fabulous playgrounds nearby, as well as picnic bench seating and BBQs along the esplanade.

Distance from Cairns: 15 minutes
Safety information: Lifeguards are on duty and there is a stinger net during the summer months.

4. Trinity Beach

Of course, a coastal town as gorgeous as Trinity Beach is going to have an equally impressive stretch of sand. Lined with beach almond and coconut trees, finding a shady spot along the beach is effortless.

When you’re ready for a bite to eat, there are plenty of beachfront dining options along the esplanade.

Distance from Cairns: 20 minutes
Safety information: Lifeguards are on duty and there is a stinger net during the summer months.

5. Kewarra Beach

Popular with the locals, Kewarra Beach is a golden spot with many talents. As well as spectacular views, safe swimming, and a dog-friendly off-leash area, it’s a great place to set up your fishing rod — and look out for the Hermit crabs at low tide too.

During the cooler months, the beachfront Kewarra Beach Resort serves pizza, tapas and drinks on the sand several nights a week.

a young girl running along the beach at Kewarra Beach — Kids can go frolicking on Kewarra Beach. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland/Gregg Snell)

Distance from Cairns: 20 minutes
Safety information: Lifeguards are on duty and there is a stinger net during the summer months.

6. Clifton Beach

Boasting incredible views of the Coral Sea and ample room, Clifton Beach is another local’s favourite and it’s a glorious beach to stretch your legs from.

Take in the surrounding rainforest-clad mountains and pass other beachfront suburbs along the way including Palm Cove, the next beach on our list.

Clifton Beach aerial shot near Cairns — Soak up the tropical vibes on Clifton Beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance from Cairns: 25 minutes
Safety information: Lifeguards are on duty and there is a stinger net during the summer months.

7. Palm Cove Beach

For a picture-perfect beach day, you must take a trip to the tranquil beach town of Palm Cove. Warm and inviting all year round, Palm Cove Beach has won many awards over the years as Australia’s cleanest beach and is a charming spot to snooze.

Break up your day with lunch at a delicious restaurant or visit one of the country’s most delightful day spas.

Palm Cove Beach aerial — Palm Cove Beach is warm and inviting all year round. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland/Tourism Palm Cove)

Distance from Cairns: 30 minutes
Safety information: Lifeguards are on duty and there is a stinger net during the summer months.

8. Ellis Beach

Located on the northern side of a rocky outcrop that separates it from Palm Cove, the steep-sloping Ellis Beach features pumice-filled shorelines and beautifully soft sand. It’s conveniently positioned right on Cook Highway so it couldn’t be easier to stop in for a paddle, and the local surf lifesaving club regularly hosts competitions and events along the beach. If you need somewhere to stay, Ellis Beach Oceanfront Holiday Park straddles the highway in the southern half of the beach or for something to eat, step into the iconic Ellis Beach Bar & Grill .

an aerial shot of a woman standing in front of palm trees at Ellis Beach, Cairns — Indulge in a well-deserved beach getaway at Ellis Beach. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Distance from Cairns: 35 minutes
Safety information: Lifeguards are on duty and there is a stinger net during the summer months.

9. Oak Beach at Thala Beach Nature Reserve

Found on a private headland between Cairns and Port Douglas, Thala Beach Nature Reserve is a luxury eco-accommodation with its own private Oak Beach, which guests can use only.

Enjoy romantic beach picnics or long evening walks along two kilometres of pristine sand lined with coconut palms and she-oak trees in your own secret paradise.

Oak Beach is a private beach that only Thala Beach Nature Reserve guests can use. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance from Cairns: 50 minutes
Safety information: The beach is not patrolled, and swimming is not recommended between November and May but there are two swimming pools available onsite.

10. Four Mile Beach

Over in Port Douglas is Four Mile Beach, with (perhaps confusingly) four kilometres to uncover. As it’s nestled between the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, this palm-fringed coastline is a protected, unspoiled beauty.

Hire a sun lounge and spend your day soaking up that Vitamin D; hire a canoe to paddle out on; Segway as far as you can get, enjoy a beach yoga class, or follow the trailhead to Flagstaff Hill to find cafes and restaurants within walking distance.

Four Mile Beach drone shot in Port Douglas — Admire sunset views from one of Four Mile Beach’s many vantage points. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Distance from Cairns: 1 hour
Safety information: Lifeguards are on duty (at the northern end) and there is a stinger net during the summer months.

11. Cooya Beach

Just five minutes from Mossman is Cooya Beach where you can spear your own mud crabs amongst the mangroves on a Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tour .

It’s also a favoured beach for boating from too so at any given time, you’ll see a number of boats stoically anchored on the water.

an aerial view of guests exploring the mudflats of Cooya Beach with a Kuku Yalanji custodian — Explore the mudflats of Cooya Beach on a Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tour. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Distance from Cairns: 1 hour 5 minutes
Safety information: The beach is not patrolled, nor does it have a stinger net. Wearing a stinger suit during the summer months is recommended.

12. Bramston Beach

Described as an undeveloped seaside gem, the mostly deserted seven-kilometre Bramston Beach has a quiet charm for a beach day without the fanfare. Throw a line straight off the beach, take advantage of the sheltered barbeque and picnic areas, or enjoy fish and chips at the Bramston Beach Cafe.

Man with coconut near Bramston Beach — Take advantage of Bramston Beach’s sheltered barbeque and picnic areas. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Distance from Cairns: 1 hour 10 minutes
Safety information: Lifeguards are on duty (in front of the camping area) and there is a stinger net during the summer months.

13. Etty Bay

Near Innisfail on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef is Etty Bay is known as the beach to see the iconic Southern Cassowary. Early morning or late afternoon is your ideal opportunity to see these endangered birds roaming the beach. Take advantage of staying on the beach at Etty Bay Caravan Park.

people running into stinger net at Etty Bay, Cairns — Keep your eyes peeled for endangered birds on Etty Bay. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Distance from Cairns: 1 hour 20 minutes

Safety information: Lifeguards are on duty and there is a stinger net during the summer months.

14. Mission Beach

Part of the Cassowary Coast, Mission Beach is made up of four beach villages linked by 14 kilometres of sand stretching as far as the eye can see. With unlimited beach space at your disposal, it’s up to you how to explore it. Why not rent a beach bike and cruise along it at low tide, discovering smaller beaches and hidden coves along the way? The Mission Beach Markets are also held on the first and third Sunday of the month right beside the beach.

Couple on Mission Beach at sunset — Find a secluded spot on Mission Beach to take in all its beauty. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance from Cairns: 1 hour 50 minutes
Safety information: The safest places to swim are Wongaling Beach (near the Surf Lifesaving Club) and the patrolled stinger nets at North and South Mission Beach.

15. Nudey Beach

Offering both paradise and adventure, the nearby island Fitzroy is a real winner. On the island is Nudey Beach, previously ranked number one in Australia’s best beach awards.

This white coral beach is a real beauty — it just takes a short walk through the rainforest to get there. Aside from relaxing, it’s a wonderful spot to snorkel on the reef right off the beach.

Distance from Cairns: A 45-minute ferry ride from the city’s Reef Fleet Terminal and a 20-minute hike to the beach.

Safety information: Lifeguards are not on duty but the waters are calm here and stinger suits (and snorkelling gear) can be hired from the island resort.

Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island — Nudey Beach was previously named Australia’s best beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

If you’ve had your fill of sun, sea and sand, take a look at some of the greatest day trips from Cairns for something a little different.

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

15 of the best beaches in and around Cairns to visit