Here we share all the best family accommodation in Cairns Australia to help you find the best place to stay for your next Queensland holiday.
We love Northern Queensland and Cairns is the ideal starting point for your family holiday.
It has great year-round weather and is the ideal base to reach the Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, Atherton Tablelands or chill out for a few days before heading on up to Port Douglas.
It is easy to get around, and has a good range of family friendly attractions and restaurants too. But most importantly, there is a good choice of Cairns family accommodation to choose from.
So if you’re trying to decide where to lay your head, here we share our pick of the best family hotels in Cairns.
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Best area to stay in Cairns with kids
Cairns is fairly compact and anywhere in the city centre is an easy walk from most restaurants and attractions.
If you like to stay close to the city centre (particularly if you won’t have use of a car) then the best hotels in Cairns for families are in walking distance of the Esplanade and all its family friendly amenities.
If you prefer to be by the beach, then check out Palm Cove, a 20-minute drive north of Cairns for a fabulous beach and good family friendly restaurants and cafes.
Best Family hotels in Cairns city centre
There are plenty of good hotels in Cairns city centre to choose from, particularly since the recent arrival of Crystalbrook Collection’s trio of new hotels – Riley, Bailey and Flynn.
Riley
If you are looking to stay in a central Cairns hotel with family, I would definitely recommend the Riley. It benefits from a fantastic location on the Esplanade, just a short walk from the lagoon, shops and restaurants.
This 5 star hotel in Cairns has a gorgeous resort swimming pool with a fake beach for little kids to paly on and has plenty of loungers for mum and dad to hang out and enjoy poolside service from.
The stylishly appointed bedrooms have spacious balconies and rainforest showers. Family rooms (two interconnecting rooms) allow for up to six guests, so are perfect for large families.
There is a choice of restaurants and a spa. Riley also has a BYO Kids package that includes:
- Kids eat free with one paying adult
- Kids pack on arrival
- Over 200 free in-room movies with your own popcorn maker
- Opportunity to sign up with be a Junior Citizen of the Reef with our partner Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, and SpongeBob
Click here to check prices and availability for the Riley.
Bailey
The hip urban Bailey hotel is perfect for families looking for a bit more space, with its one, two and three-bedroom residences.
Each residence is equipped with a kitchen with oven, microwave and dishwasher and laundry facilities, including washer and dryer.
They also offer Urban Family Rooms, which comprise two interconnecting ensuite rooms, with the choice of King or Twin beds.
A small swimming pool and two onsite restaurants help make your family holiday easy.
The hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the Esplanade Lagoon and next door to the Cairns Aquarium.
Click here to check prices and availability for the Bailey.
Flynn
Located on the Cairns Esplanade Boardwalk right across the road from the Esplanade Lagoon, the Flynn is the trendy new kid on the block.
Two onsite restaurants and a bar, two glass-sided swimming pools and a day spa will keep everyone in the family happy.
The best pick of accommodation for families are the Urban Family Rooms, which comprise two interconnecting ensuite rooms with a choice of King or twin beds and come with complimentary movies.
Click here to check prices for the Flynn.
Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns
Located on the Marina, this luxury accommodation in Cairns boasts panoramic views of the marina and a gorgeous large outdoor pool with children’s pool and poolside bar.
Rooms are available with two queen beds and interconnecting rooms are available.
Kids four and under eat for free with a paying adult in the onsite restaurants and there are kids menus for older kids up to the age of 12.
Click here to check prices for the Shangri-La Cairns.
Pullman Reef Hotel Casino
There’s something for everyone at this luxury Cairns hotel.
The hotel has a swimming pool and gym while the attached entertainment complex boasts restaurants, bars, live entertainment and a casino, as well as Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome.
Hotel rooms suitable for families include the Junior Twin Suites, which feature two double beds, while adjoining rooms are also available.
Click here to check prices for the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino.
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
Novotel are known for their family friendly approach, and the Cairns Oasis Resort is no exception.
Boasting a gorgeous free form lagoon pool, complete with a sandy beach, children’s pool and a swim-up bar, this family friendly hotel also has an onsite restaurant.
Rooms are available in a variety of bedding configurations, including one King bed, two double beds or King + Single and interconnecting rooms are also an option.
Positioned right next door to the Cairns Aquarium, the Novotel is just as short walk to the Esplanade Lagoon and many local restaurants.
Click here to check prices for the Novotel Cairns Oasis Hotel.
Palm Cove Accommodation for Families
We think the best area to stay in Cairns with kids is at the beach, and our favourite beach is Palm Cove. It’s just a 20-minute drive from Cairns city centre but is a world away in atmosphere.
Palm Cove has a laid back vibe perfect for family holidays and benefits from a gorgeous beach and good choice of family restaurants and cafes.
Here is our pick of family friendly Palm Cove accommodation:
Alamanda Palm Cove
The Alamanda Palm Cove is a great choice for a beach resort in Cairns.
This luxurious Cairns 5 star resort is the only hotel in Palm Cove to provide absolute beachfront accommodation, with only the palm trees coming between you and the beautiful Palm Cove beach.
The spacious suites are more like self-contained apartments, with kitchens and living areas, making it ideal family accommodation in Cairns.
It has beautiful swimming pools and landscaped gardens, and is just a short walk from all of Palm Cove’s restaurants and amenities. I definitely recommend this as one of the best hotels near Cairns Australia.
Click here to check prices of the Alamanda Palm Cove.
Peppers Beach Club & Spa
Our other choice of family hotel in Palm Cove is Peppers Beach Club, which has been a real favourite for many families visiting Queensland.
This kid friendly accommodation in Cairns boasts three gorgeous family-friendly swimming pools, one with a beach to play on. There’s also tennis courts, a gym, a children’s playground and rooftop BBQ facilities.
Rooms are spacious and range from hotel rooms to one, two and three-bedroom apartments with kitchen and laundry facilities.
Click here to check prices for Peppers Beach Club & Spa.
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