Cairns Beaches – Tropical North Queensland Official Tourism Site
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CAIRNS BEACHES

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Welcome to the tropical beaches of Cairns and Great Barrier Reef, home of the cleanest beach in Australia.

Stretching some 26 kilometres along beautiful tropical coastline, Cairns has eight main beaches all within 45 minutes driving distance north of the CBD.

Cairns Beaches are uncluttered and uncrowded, and each beachside suburb has its own unique character and charm making it easy for you to find your ideal tropical beach in Cairns and Great Barrier Reef.

Build a sandcastle or enjoy a picnic with the family at the popular holiday favourites of Trinity Beach and Yorkey’s Knob. Dance at dusk along a sparkling Machans or Holloways Beach shoreline, or escape to a secluded cove with a picnic hamper for two at quiet Kewarra Beach.

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North of Kewarra, experience typical tropical beach lifestyle and shopping at local favourite, Clifton Beach; pamper yourself in Palm Cove , or drive a little further north and enjoy the undeveloped natural beauty and friendly surf lifesaving club at Ellis Beach.

Public transportation by Marlin Coast Sunbus service all Cairns beaches several times daily, with the exception of Ellis beach, and all Cairns beaches are equipped with modern play equipment and council maintained BBQ and picnic facilities so you can enjoy as many days of low cost fun in the sun as your heart desires.

Great Wedding Photos...People travel from all over the globe to have their wedding ceremonies and photos taken on gorgeous Ellis, Palm Cove, Clifton and Kewarra Beaches.
Playgrounds & Sandcastles...Bring your bucket and spade and make an awesome sandcastle, or play on the modern play equipment available at all Cairns main beaches.
Swimming...Australian Surf Live Savers are on duty daily and safe swimming nets make Cairns beaches an ideal location for year round fun in the sun.
Kite Surfing...Head to Yorkey’s Knob esplanade and see kite surfers doing awesome aerials and other tricks. Why not hire a kite and try yourself?

Cairns Beaches

Machans & Holloways Beaches
Quiet beach suburbs where locals go to fish, take long walks along the beachfront and savour the salt air just 10-15 minutes drive north of the Cairns CBD.  Beach info...

Trinity Beach

Trinity Beach
Modern play equipment, clean BBQ and picnic facilities and virtually deserted golden sands make Trinity Beach a hub for family fun in the sun. Beach info...

Kewarra Beach

Kewarra Beach
Secluded white sands, 5-star resort and on beach dining with views to private Double Island and the Great Barrier Reef, Kewarra Beach is one of Cairns best-kept romantic secrets. Beach info...

Ellis Beach

Ellis Beach
The undeveloped beauty, white sands and azure blue waters of Ellis beach make it a popular wedding spot and also beckons locals and tourists alike for low cost weekend fun and camping. Beach info...

Things to do in Cairns Beaches

Sightseeing, Shopping, Wilderness, Bush walking, Golf, Nature Park, Guided Tour, Wildlife spotting, World Heritage,

Where can i stay in Cairns Beaches

Apartments and Houses, Resort,

Where to Eat

Restaurant-lined esplanades serving a global array of tastes and local tropical produce in Trinity Beach, Holloways and Palm Cove, as well as local favourite, Yorkey’s Knob Boat Club, are the main dining highlights of Cairns beaches.

Other highlights include sophisticated, romantic sunset dining on a beachside table for two at Holloways Beach or secluded Kewarra Beach Resort.

The recently renovated and relocated historic Trinity Beach Tavern is a favourite among locals and social travellers alike.


Where to Shop

Each Cairns beach has its own small shopping village boasting takeaway foods, café, newsagency, postal services, internet access, liquor shops and convenience stores.

A local art, craft and food market is held at Holloways Beach from 8am – 1pm on the second Sunday of every month and some beaches, such as Trinity Beach, Palm Cove, Yorkey’s Knob, and Clifton have shops selling variety of resort, beachwear and fashion boutiques as well as jewellery and art.

Smithfield Shopping Centre is the largest and closest major shopping centre to all Cairns beaches, showcasing a range of speciality stores, and major retailers including Coles, Kmart, Woolworths and Dan Murphy’s.

Fuel, tackle, bait, liquor, pharmaceuticals and groceries are available at Clifton Village Shopping Centre a five minute drive or bus ride from Palm Cove, or Trinity Beach.