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The dreamiest Airbnbs in Cairns to call home

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

Looking for the best Airbnb in Cairns? From luxury Palm Cove villas and beachfront apartments to rainforest retreats and tiny houses hidden in the hills of Kuranda, these standout stays offer a memorable base for exploring Tropical North Queensland.

From soaking in your own private hot tub to getting cosy in a tiny house in the rainforest, these Cairns Airbnbs offer something for every type of tropical getaway.

In short

If you only stay at one Airbnb in Cairns, make it Spring Haven Kuranda – Rainforest Garden Retreat. Combining a peaceful rainforest setting, contemporary cabin design and an outdoor bath beneath the trees, it perfectly captures the laid-back luxury of Tropical North Queensland.

Best city stay: Seaside Azul
Best pet-friendly stay: Central Cairns • Pet Friendly • Walk to Esplanade
Best family Airbnb: Maison Daintree
Best beach escape: Coral Sea View
Best luxury villa: Pura Villa
Best nature retreat: Stoney Treehouse

Good to know: Most Airbnbs featured below include free parking and self-contained facilities, making them ideal for longer stays. While some are in Cairns City, others are found in nearby Edge Hill, Palm Cove, Trinity Beach, Kuranda and the surrounding rainforest.

Seaside Azul

Seaside Azul Airbnb Cairns
Cool off in the rooftop pool.

Best for: City-centre convenience

Airbnb status: Superhost property

Just a 15-minute stroll to Cairns Esplanade and directly next to Cairns Central Shopping Centre, the cosy Seaside Azulstudio 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: From $250 per night.
Insider tip: Head up to the rooftop pool just before sunset for city views without the crowds.

Central Cairns • Pet Friendly • Walk to Esplanade

Central Cairns • Pet Friendly • Walk to Esplanade Airbnb
The relaxed deck flows into lush tropical gardens.

Best for: Pet-friendly stays

Airbnb status: Superhost property, Guest Favourite and Top 5% of homes

Travelling with your four-legged friend? This charming cottage offers the best of both worlds, combining a peaceful setting with a location close to Cairns’ restaurants, cafes and attractions. Tucked away just moments from the Esplanade, it features a spacious rear deck, lush tropical gardens and a fully equipped kitchen, making it easy to settle in for a few days.

Guests can borrow the complimentary bicycles to explore the nearby waterfront and bikeways, while the pet-friendly policy means no member of the family has to miss out on the holiday.

Location: Cairns City
Average price: From $280 per night
Insider tip: Borrow the complimentary bikes and head to the Esplanade early in the morning when the waterfront is at its most peaceful.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Maison Daintree

Maison Daintree Airbnb Cairns
This holiday home in Cairns offers a spacious wooden deck.

Best for: Spacious family stays

Airbnb status: Superhost property and Guest Favourite

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 and a meticulously landscaped garden that offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Location: Whitfield
Average price: From $550 per night
Insider tip: The Cairns Botanic Gardens are only a few minutes away and make an easy morning outing before the tropical heat sets in.

Rainforest Sunsets

Rainforest Sunsets Airbnb Cairns
Immerse yourself in nature at Rainforest Sunsets.

Best for: Romantic mountain escape

Airbnb status: Superhost property and Guest Favourite

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 while still enjoying a comfy bed, hot shower and coffee on hand. In the evening, light up the outdoor fire pit and watch the spectacular sunset views overlooking rolling green hills.

Location: Kuranda
Average price: From $280 per night
Insider tip: Arrive before golden hour and settle in by the fire pit – the sunset views are one of the property’s biggest highlights.

Spring Haven Kuranda – Rainforest Garden Retreat

Spring Haven Kuranda – Rainforest Garden Retreat Airbnb Cairns
Soak up the views from your private bath.

Best for: Luxury couples’ escapes

Airbnb status: Superhost property, Guest Favourite and Top 1% of homes

Tucked away in a lush rainforest garden just five minutes from Kuranda Village, Spring Haven is the kind of Airbnb designed for slowing down. This contemporary one-bedroom cabin combines modern comforts with a peaceful natural setting, complete with wildlife encounters, leafy outlooks and an outdoor bath made for long soaks beneath the trees.

Fully self-contained and thoughtfully designed for privacy, it’s an ideal choice for couples looking to switch off and reconnect while still being within easy reach of Kuranda’s markets, cafes and attractions.

Location: Kuranda
Average price: From $250 per night
Insider tip: Pack a bottle of wine and make time for an evening soak in the outdoor bath – it’s one of the property’s standout features and the perfect way to unwind after exploring the village.

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Coral Sea View

Coral Sea View Airbnb Cairns
Enjoy the elevated pool at Coral Sea View.

Best for: Close to the beach

Airbnb status: Superhost property and Guest Favourite

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: From $300 per night
Insider tip: Trinity Beach is generally quieter than Palm Cove, making it a great choice if you’re after a more laid-back coastal stay.

Pura Villa

Pura Villa Airbnb Cairns
Embrace coastal luxury in this stunning four-bedroom home.

Best for: Coastal luxury

Airbnb status: Superhost property and Guest Favourite

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

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

Location: Palm Cove
Average price: From $800 per night
Insider tip: Pick up supplies from nearby Clifton Village and make the most of the outdoor entertaining area and private pool.

Stoney Treehouse

Stoney Treehouse Airbnb Cairns
Be surrounded by tropical rainforest.

Best for: Nature lovers

Airbnb status: Superhost property, Guest Favourite and Top 5% of homes

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: From $690 per night
Insider tip: Bring reef shoes if you plan to explore Stoney Creek and nearby swimming holes.

Looking beyond Airbnb? Explore our complete guide to Cairns accommodation for hotels, resorts, apartments and family-friendly stays across Tropical North Queensland.

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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!)
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How to spend three romantic days on Hamilton Island

(Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
    Continue
    From barefoot beach walks to moonlit dinners, this three-day Hamilton Island itinerary will have lovebirds swooning.

    Few Aussie destinations do romance quite like Hamilton Island. Set in the dreamy Whitsunday Islands, this popular honeymoon destination combines luxury retreats, palm-fringed reefs and spectacular dining with the easy rhythm of tropical living. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary or spontaneous couples’ weekend, here’s how to spend a loved-up three days on Hamilton Island.

    Day 1

    Morning

    A serene ocean-view room overlooking endless blue horizons.
    Let picturesque ocean views welcome you the moment you check in. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Nothing kills the holiday buzz faster than waiting at the baggage carousel. Luckily, our arrival couldn’t have been smoother. Staying at the boutique, adults-only Beach Club Hotel means VIP transfers are included, so the moment we land, a staff member greets us and whisks our bags straight from the baggage claim to our room. We don’t have to lift a finger.

    Occupying a prime piece of real estate on Catseye Beach, Beach Club is a peaceful retreat just steps from sugar-white sand and a turquoise lagoon. Within 10 minutes of stepping off the plane, we’ve arrived and are switched into holiday mode.

    We check into our room, immediately delighted by the sight of several wallabies grazing in the garden just in front of our private terrace. Beyond, picturesque ocean vistas stretch across the horizon. The room’s mini bar is stocked with bespoke sweet treats; the bathroom with premium Aesop amenities that add to the luxury.

    After we’ve checked out the resort’s beachside infinity pool – plotting the lounge chairs we’ll no doubt return to later – we head out to explore the island. Families glide by on hire bikes and chirping rainbow lorikeets dot the foliage. We decide to hike up to Passage Peak – one of the most scenic walks on Hamilton Island – which takes about 40 minutes one way and boasts panoramic Whitsundays views that will stick with you for long after you leave.

    Afternoon

    A romantic beachside lunch as champagne is served.
    Recharge with a laid-back lunch at Beach Club Restaurant. (Image: Nikki To)

    After working up an appetite, Beach Club Restaurant is the perfect place to snap up a light lunch. Think barramundi, nourish bowls, Wagyu beef burgers, brown butter toasties and Queensland chilli prawns. For those who don’t want to move from their prime perch on the beach or by the pool, there’s also the option to order bites via QR code from the resort’s lounge chairs.

    After our fill, we plunge into the hotel’s incredible infinity pool, its surface blending near seamlessly into the blues of Catseye Beach. Quiet and tucked away from the island’s hum, it feels illegal to do anything but relax here.

    Evening

    A curated flatlay of dishes from Catseye Pool Club.
    Celebrate your first evening over beautifully plated coral trout. (Image: Nikki To)

    There’s truly nothing more satisfying than a little R&R (rest & robe) time in your hotel room after spending the day in the sun. Fresh from a shower, we watch the ripe tangerine sun slowly dip below the palm-framed horizon from our plush terrace daybed. Two wallabies are still grazing on the grass. It’s a magical setting; I find it hard to believe I am only a few hours away from home.

    Come dinnertime, we zip over to nearby Catseye Pool Club, which is a short buggy ride from the hotel or a five-minute walk. A chic new haunt from Sydney-based pair Josh and Julie Niland, the restaurant is all about reconnecting over flavour-rich share plates using high-quality Aussie ingredients.

    We sit in a corner overlooking Catseye Beach – arguably the best seat in the house – with mini table lamps casting a soft glow about the contemporary indoor-outdoor setting. What comes next is pure delight; grilled prawns served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a Thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Then, elegantly plated coral trout served with kasundi and zucchini. We savour it all slowly, the conversation flowing easily between bites and sips while the moonlight transforms the ocean into molten silver.

    Day 2

    Morning

    An 18-hole golf course set against sweeping ocean views.
    Tee off side by side against a backdrop of sweeping ocean views. (Image: Andrea Francolini)

    A la carte breakfast is complimentary for guests of Beach Club, and we take full advantage of the fact. Barista-quality coffee and pressed juice – today it’s carrot, melon, orange and pineapple – arrive alongside pastries baked fresh this morning. For the larger meal, I treat myself to the buttermilk pancakes with praline butter.

    If you prefer an active start to the morning rather than lying in, you’ll find plenty of options. Perhaps tee off at the 18-hole golf course, where the views are as much of a drawcard as the sport itself. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, the course is integrated into the ridged landscape of Dent Island.

    Afternoon

    Artfully paired wines and bites from the Talk & Taste experience.
    Uncover new favourite wines together. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    For wine-curious couples, Beach Club’s new Talk & Taste experience is a must. Held several times a week for up to eight guests, it’s an intimate tasting of Aussie drops paired with curated bites – all guided by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher.

    We opt for the white wine and seafood option, enjoying pours from Eden Valley to Launceston while Courtenay shares her knowledge and passion for the intricacies of wine making.

    Later, we drive our golf buggy up to One Tree Hill. This is one of the most popular spots on the island for sunset, but we chose to come a little earlier so we have more space to ourselves. We enjoy afternoon wine and cheese, admiring the 360-degree views of the island and its impossibly blue waters.

    Evening

    The moody, atmospheric interiors of Bommie Deck.
    Dress up for a romantic evening at Bommie Restaurant. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Since we are, after all, on holiday, we continue the tipples at Bommie Deck. Suspended above Hamilton Island’s marina, this architectural monument is a fabulous place for a sunset spritz.

    Just a few steps inside is Bommie Restaurant, the contemporary Australian fine dining establishment headed by chef Ryan Locke. Of anywhere on the island, this is the place to frock up and celebrate a special occasion – especially if theatrical culinary experiences take your fancy. The tasting set menu is a whirlwind of native Australian flavours and creative plating – with highlights including the cured venison wrapped in wattle seed seasoning. For dessert, a clever take on white chocolate and lemonade ends the night on a high.

    Day 3

    Morning

    A couple gliding across calm waters on SUP boards together.
    Ease into the morning with a paddleboarding adventure. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Another low-key morning means another blissful breakfast at Beach Club. This time, it’s smashed avo toast topped with Persian fetta, dukkah and poached eggs – a deliciously fueling start to the day.

    The weather today is perfect for a paddle, so we walk straight from our room onto the sand of Catseye Beach to pick up some SUP boards. Guests of Beach Club receive complimentary non-motorised water sports equipment, spanning everything from mini catamarans to snorkel gear and kayaks. Finding our balance on the boards is a fun challenge at first, but before long, we’re gliding across the glassy water like naturals.

    Afternoon

    A helicopter soaring above the iconic Heart Reef.
    Add the ultimate highlight with a Heart Reef flight together. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    No couples’ retreat is complete without a touch of pampering. Located in the resort area, Spa Wumurdaylin offers everything from body wraps and facials to de-stress massages using natural Australian products. The Soul Temple treatment begins with a heavenly feeling sugar scrub, followed by a Vichy vertical shower and underwater massage. I leave in a daze.

    If you prefer adventure to relaxation, there is an abundance of day trips from Hamilton Island, from snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to Whitsundays helicopter tours – all of which make for unforgettable experiences that will bring you and your partner closer.

    Evening

    A couple standing at qualia, gazing out over the endless ocean horizon.
    Close your journey over a beautiful dinner by the sea. (Image: Sharyn Cains)

    Enjoy an elevated evening at qualia’s tranquil Pebble Beach restaurant, where a private beach setting complements the thoughtful, seasonal menu. Or perhaps continue relaxing at Beach Club, feasting on roast lamb and seafood at the poolside restaurant or soaking in ocean views from your room with in-house room delivery. And don’t forget the champagne – a weekend of love, fun and restoration is worth toasting.

    Getting there

    Hamilton Island has its own airport called the Great Barrier Reef Airport, which makes it fuss-free to get to. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer short, direct flights from most major Australian cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. This means you’ll spend less time travelling and more time enjoying each other’s company.

    Visit hamitlonisland.com.au for more couples’ retreat ideas.