Plan your visit to Tropical North Queensland with our list of the best beaches in Cairns Australia, and around!
White sand, balmy waters, swaying palm trees, and unforgettable views, the beaches in Cairns are calling.
But where are the top Cairns beaches?
If you’re thinking of traditional tropical beaches, Cairns doesn’t have any directly within the city centre. The city lies along a coastline characterized by mudflats. It makes the area unsuitable for swimming due to murky waters and silt buildup from the rivers.
That’s not to say you can’t find a beautiful beach in Cairns. In fact, if you search for North Queensland beaches, Cairns often comes up as one of the top destinations.
But that means you’d have to travel a little further from the city centre to the string of idyllic seaside villages just north of Cairns.
These nearby Cairns beaches are the poster child of a tropical paradise.
Closer to Cairns city centre are the watersports hub of Yorkeys Knob, the quiet Holloways, and the hippie Machans Beach.
Then, just 30 minutes from the city is a suburb with a 2-kilometer sweep of golden sand where you’ll find the famous Palm Cove Beach. Palm Cove’s neighbors, Clifton Beach and Ellis Beach, both offer remote stretches of pristine shores and even more pristine waters.
Yes, there’s more to Cairns than being a base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef. If you dream of soaking up the sun, sand, and sea on your trip to North Queensland, the stunning Cairns beaches offer everything from hidden gems to tropical hotspots.
Plan your trip to Cairns with our 5 day itinerary!
The Best Beaches In Cairns
For most people visiting Cairns, beach days are a staple of many itineraries, and rightly so. When it comes to beautiful beaches, Cairns never disappoints, just not in the city centre.
You’ll find more beach options just north of Cairns. The region is often called Cairns Northern Beaches because of how many stunning coastal areas lie here.
If the Cairns Northern Beaches are not enough, you can drive to the coastal town of Port Douglas, home to the iconic Four Mile Beach. This is one of the best beaches in Port Douglas!
You can even head way up north to Cape Tribulation, where the ancient Daintree Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef.
Or, take a ferry to Fitzroy Island, a paradise of rainforest-clad hills and tropical coastline dotted with some of the most beautiful beaches in northern Australia.
Explore more stunning beaches on a day trip from Cairns!
Cairns, the capital of Queensland’s tropical north, may not have a picture-perfect beach in the city. But the Cairns Northern Beaches are a dream, and the further beaches are well worth a day trip.
But before we tell you where to find the top Cairns beaches, let’s answer one question–
Can you swim in Cairns beaches?
Stingers, strong currents, and saltwater crocodiles are among the risks of swimming in Cairns beaches, especially within the city center.
However, with proper precautions, you can enjoy a dip in Cairns’ warm waters without worries.
During stinger season (November-May), wear a full-body suit to protect you against jellyfish stings. Only swim in patrolled areas, within stinger net enclosures, or between red and yellow flags.
And with that said, here are some of the top Cairns beaches to visit on your next Queensland coastal adventure.
The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
While not exactly a beach, Cairns’ saltwater lagoon on the Esplanade has become a favourite swimming spot for locals and visitors alike.
The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon lies on the foreshore of the city centre, with lovely views of the Trinity Inlet. If you’re looking for the best beaches near Cairns, this man-made location is the closest one.
Grassy spaces, playgrounds, picnic spots, BBQ facilities, and boardwalks lie next to the lagoon. There’s even a sandy area where kids can build sandcastles while the grown-ups sunbathe.
The swimming lagoon is one of the safest places to swim in Cairns year-round. Not only are the waters shallow, but they’re also free from stringers and crocs. Additionally, lifeguards patrol the area.
If you need to grab a bite, you can check out one of the restaurants and cafes in the Esplanade.
The Esplanade is free to enter, and the lagoon free to swim in. The pool is open daily from 6 AM to 9 PM except on Wednesday mornings for maintenance.
The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is a highlight of the city centre.
Machans Beach
Machans Beach is the closest real beach to Cairns, just a 10-minute drive from the city centre on the Bruce Highway.
Machans Beach may not be among the prettiest Cairns beaches, as erosion has severely affected it in the past few years. But while it has no sweeps of sand to sunbathe, Machans is fantastic for meeting locals and getting a feel of Cairns.
Though usually quiet, Machans Beach gets some action throughout the year as it hosts local events like dance nights, sporting events, and a yearly full-moon party on the beachfront.
If you fancy getting away from the crowded CBD without travelling too far, head to Machans Beach. A serene stroll on the waterfront at sunset is one of our favourite things to do here.
Holloways Beach
A long strip of sand links Machans to Holloways Beach, another quiet spot in the sleepy suburb of Holloways.
Holloways Beach is broader than its neighbour and can get crowded during weekends. It’s a popular picnic and family hangout, thanks mainly to its shaded grassy areas and BBQ facilities.
On the second Sunday of the month, Holloways Beach hosts an open-air market with local craft-makers and food vendors. It also has a resort, a restaurant, and a cafe on the beachfront, which creates more foot traffic.
However, the northern edge of Holloways Beach is almost always empty, even during peak days. The golden sand and gently rolling waves add a tropical feel to the beach.
Read next: THE 9 BEST Cairns WATERFALLS (Less than 1-hour FROM TOWN)
Yorkeys Knob
Tucked behind a headland, Yorkeys Beach exudes a secret spot vibe that attracts beach bums looking for a quiet escape. That’s not to say there’s nothing to do in Yorkeys other than lounge on the sand.
Yorkeys Knob is tailor-made for the thrill-seeking, watersports-loving adventurer. It’s mostly known as a kite-surfing hub. But it’s also a hotspot for stand-up paddle boarding and spearfishing.
You don’t have to be sporty to enjoy Yorkeys Knob. The views are stunning here. You can laze on the sand while gazing at the Coral Sea or watch kite surfers hone their skills.
Yorkeys Knob also has a boat club with restaurants, playing areas, live entertainment on weekends, and a waterfront deck from where you can see luxurious yachts moored at the Yorkeys marina.
Kewarra Beach
Quiet and secluded, Kewarra Beach sits at the end of a crescent-shaped headland about 20 minutes from Cairns.
Kewarra Beach, with its soft dunes and palm tree-lined shore, is a lovely spot for picnics and long strolls. Locals often come here to walk their dogs, others to fish from the beachfront.
Kewarra Beach is also an excellent place to swim. It’s a patrolled beach with stinger nets in place, especially during the warmer months.
There are BBQ facilities in the northern part of Kewarra Beach. But if you want to do away with cooking, the Kewarra Beach Resort offers several options to non-guests, from gourmet dining to a more casual pizza and tapas by the sea.
Sunset at Kewarra Beach
Clifton Beach
Clifton Beach, marked by swaying coconut trees and stunning scenery, is one of the prettiest of Cairns beaches.
Clifton Beach is connected to Palm Cove by a 3-km walking and cycling track. It’s a delightful trail in the Northern Beaches Queensland for sunset strolls or sunrise bike rides.
There are no restaurants in Clifton Beach. However, just up the road, about a 2-minute drive away, is a supermarket and a cafe. Pick up some supplies before heading to the beach for a picnic.
A lifeguard patrols Clifton Beach in the summer, and stinger nets are put in place to protect swimmers from jellyfish.
Read next: Brisbane to Cairns Drive – The Perfect Road Trip Itinerary
Trinity Beach
Vibrant, palm-fringed, and breathtaking, Trinity Beach is one of the more popular Cairns beaches.
Trinity Beach is tucked between two headlands and is a favourite swimming spot because of its calm waters. Its one-kilometre shoreline has ample sandy spaces for sunbaking and sand-castle building.
For avid hikers, Trinity Beach has plenty of walking tracks, including the Earl Hill Trail, where you can see sweeping views of Cairns and the Coral Sea.
Unlike most of Cairns’ northern beaches, Trinity Beach has a range of beachfront accommodations and dining options.
Additionally, several barbeques and picnic areas dot the Trinity Beach coast.
Lifeguards patrol Trinity Beach year-round, and stinger nets and lifesavers are in place in the warmer months. This is a hotspot in the Cairns Northern Beaches area.
Palm Cove
Palm Cove is one of the best beaches around Cairns. It’s a bit touristy but still idyllic enough for a tranquil getaway.
Though named after its towering palms, Palm Cove is more famous for its 500-year-old Melaleuca trees lining the beachfront esplanade.
Just 9 minutes from Trinity Beach, Palm Cove boasts posh resorts, cafes, day spas, and gourmet restaurants. But its main draw is the year-round swimming opportunity, with its placid waters, protective nets, and lifeguards on duty.
For action-packed adventures, Palm Cove has kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals. When you’re ready to unwind, join the beach yoga classes or indulge in a spa treatment inspired by traditional Aboriginal techniques.
Visit Palm Cove on the first Sunday of the month to experience the buzzing Palm Cove market at the waterfront esplanade. Here, you can buy homemade goods and handmade products like jewellery, pottery, and clothing.
The iconic palm trees at Palm Cove Beach
Ellis Beach
The last of the Cairns Northern Beaches, Ellis Beach is only five minutes from Palm Cove. But it seems a wholly different world.
Ellis Beach is the ultimate template of a tropical paradise – a string of coconut trees, blue waters, sugar-fine sand, and a rainforest in the background.
On the beachfront is a caravan park, a Surf Life Saving Club, and the Ellis Beach Bar and Grill, famous for its fresh seafood. The southern end of Ellis Beach is also a popular fishing spot.
Perched at the very start of the Great Barrier Reef Drive, Ellis Beach attracts a few day trippers on their way to Port Douglas or the Daintree Rainforest. And when the surf is good, you might find a surfer or two riding the waves.
Otherwise, you’ll have Ellis Beach all to yourself.
Cairns Beach Day Trips
Outside Cairns and the Northern Beaches, you’ll find more gorgeous beaches on a day trip north.
Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
Known for its views of the Coral Sea, glistening dunes, and mesmerizing sunsets, Four Mile Beach is one the best beaches in Port Douglas and arguably the whole of Tropical North Queensland.
Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island
Take the 45-minute ferry from Cairns to Fitzroy Island and explore Nudey Beach, a snorkelling hotspot and one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches.
Kulki Beach, Cape Tribulation
From this remote headland, you can see the ancient Daintree Rainforest fuse with the Great Barrier Reef.
Visit the stunning Nudey Beach on a trip to Fitzroy Island!
When to Visit Cairns for the best beach experience
For an unforgettable beach experience in Cairns, visit between May and October, when the days are warm and the chance of rain is minimal. These months are also outside the stinger season, making swimming conditions favorable.
Cairns beaches are among the top attractions in North Queensland. From quiet escapes to lively beach days, Cairns has a beach for sunbathing, swimming, or simply soaking up paradise.
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