CAMPERVAN HIRE CAIRNS
Located in the tropical north Queensland, surrounded by stunning islands, vast hinterland and being the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, campervan hire Cairns is a fantastic place to start your journey in North Queensland.
Whether you plan on heading north to the Daintree Rainforest or south to Townsville and Magnetic Island, there is so much to see in North Queensland, and the best way to experience all of it is in a campervan!
We have a range of campervans for hire and can’t wait to help you begin your journey in this beautiful part of Queensland.
Why campervan hire Cairns?
So, why should you campervan hire Cairns from Cruisin?
You should really be asking yourself, why shouldn’t you hire a motorhome in Cairns? As the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns offers the opportunity for you to explore the world’s largest coral reef system, see thousands of different marine species, island hop and even explore tropical rainforests.
With so many things to see and do in and around Cairns, you’ll need at least ten days to explore the best parts of it!
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Cairns?
The price of your motorhome hire will depend on when you visit Cairns.
Why Choose us for Campervan Hire Cairns?
There are many reasons why you should choose Cruisin’ Motorhomes for your campervan hire Cairns, such as
- Australian-owned and operated
- 20+ years in business
- A dominant player in the Australian travel industry
- A fleet of the latest-model hire campervans and motorhomes
- We are strong advocates for responsible tourism and are dedicated to conserving the Australian environment.
WEATHER
Since Cairns is located in the tropical north, it’s subject to tropical cyclones and heavy rainfall during the wet season (December to February), so it’s best to avoid coming in summer.
Therefore, the best time to go to campervan hire Cairns is during the dry season (May to October), when the rental prices are relatively low.
The summer/wet season (December to February) is hot, wet and humid with a lot of rainfall and extreme heat. The hottest weather comes in January when the average temperature is 27.5 degrees Celsius.
On the other hand, the winter/dry season (June to August) welcomes dry days with warm temperatures, making it the peak season to visit when prices may be higher and places busier.
However, either side of those months is the best time to visit, such as April or October, when the temperatures are perfect, the winds drop, and the ocean is a vibrant blue.
TOURING ROUTES
Popular Scenic Routes with Campervan hire in Cairns:
Spanning 2,300km down the coast of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the best places to visit near Cairns.
The world’s largest coral reef system is home to over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, and you can easily visit it in Cairns or surrounding areas!
Many tour companies operate out of the Cairns Marina, taking you to some of the most beautiful reefs on the Great Barrier Reef, where you can snorkel and dive with hundreds of different species of fish, dolphins, turtles and reef sharks! Park up your campervan for the day and experience one of the world’s greatest natural wonders!
Palm Cove
Located 25 minutes north of Cairns, you must visit Palm Cove in your campervan hire Cairns.
The beach is lined with stunning palm trees, and the esplanade is full of restaurants and bars. Near the jetty on the beach’s northern end is where you’ll find a campervan park, the perfect place to spend a night or two.
Although swimming is off limits most of the year due to box jellyfish and crocodiles, you can swim in the stinger nets if you wish to. However, one of the best things to do while in Palm Cove is to get up in the morning and watch the sunrise on the beach.
Port Douglas
If you continue north past Palm Cove along the scenic Captain Cook Highway, you will end up at Port Douglas, one of the best places to visit near Cairns.
Port Douglas is a great place to relax for a few days and soak up the sun on the beach or bar hop along the main street.
This seaside town is also another great place to hop on a boat to the Great Barrier Reef as it can be much quicker and more convenient to get to the remote reefs than visiting the popular ones from Cairns.
Cape Tribulation & Daintree Rainforest
About 140km north of Cairns, you’ll find two UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites: the Great Barrier Reef (Cape Tribulation) and Daintree Rainforest on your Campervan hire Cairns trip.
These natural wonders can easily be visited for a day or two, where you can stroll along the shore, standing between two of the planet’s richest ecosystems.
Although it may be tempting to swim in the ocean at Cape Tribulation, avoid it as there are crocodiles in the area.
Atherton Tablelands
One of the best places to visit near Cairns in your Campervan hire Cairns is the Atherton Tablelands.
Located at a much higher altitude inland, you will feel worlds away from the coast of Cairns. Unlike on the coast, it’s cool and breezy in the Atherton Tablelands, so make sure you take some warm clothes. While there, you can visit a range of cheese factories, local dairy farms and volcanic crater lakes.
For more info on popular scenic routes, head to:
Queensland
EVENTS
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair – Cairns has a vibrant and important aboriginal and Torres strait islander culture that is respectfully acknowledged. Every year, Cairns hosts an incredible festival celebrating the culture, with ethical art markets, performances and excellent pathways for emerging artists. This is Australia’s premier indigenous art fair and usually runs for a week in November.
Carnival On Collins – If you’re travelling to Cairns for Father’s Day, this is an exciting way to spend the day! This vibrant festival showcases all the sights, sounds and tastes of the region. There are market stalls, live music and surprises around every corner.
Rumble on the Reef – An action-filled sports event held along the Great Barrier Reef Coastline. Catch some of the country’s best skateboarding, wakeboarding and hydro foiling, as well as food and live music.
Moomba Festival – Australia’s largest community festival, Moomba has something for everyone! BMX competitions, kids’ yoga, pop up concerts and carnival rides are just the start of this epic event. An exciting Labour Day long weekend that boasts a variety of ticketed and free events.
Cairns Ecofiesta – The state’s leading sustainability festival hosts an abundance of extraordinary events on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest. A diverse environmental expo that is also a music, food and children’s festival.
FOOD & DRINK
You will find many supermarkets and fine dining restaurants serving Kangaroo in Cairns, as well as emu and crocodile. The streets are also abundant with multi-cultural dining. Locals especially love their Japanese, Malaysian and Indian cuisine. Cairns is unsurprisingly an ideal spot to try as much fresh seafood as you can.
Renowned wineries, breweries & eateries:
ACTIVITIES
Famous Landmarks in Cairns
Cairns is the gateway to The Great Barrier Reef – named one of the world’s seven wonders and is the only living thing on earth visible from space. From charming seaside villages to lush rainforests, this Queensland city is a tropical wonderland full of surprises.
Bushwalks in Cairns
Bushwalking in Cairns is a truly remarkable experience. Tropical rainforests, tarns & waterfalls are all around providing you with a scenic reward on every walk. Always be on the lookout for tropical wildlife especially the local Southern Cassowary.
- Glacier Rock Lookout
- Earl Hill Conservation Park
- Ivan Evans Walk
- Undara Lava Tubes
- Tchupala Falls Walk
- Dinner Falls Track
- Secret Garden walk
For more info on hiking and walking trails, head to:
Hiking and walking trails
National Parks in Cairns
Holiday Parks and Caravan Parks in Cairns
Since renting a campervan is one of the best ways to explore Queensland, you can expect there to be many motorhome-friendly camping spots near Cairns. Recommended camping spots include
- First City Caravilla Caravan Park
- NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park
- Cape Tribulation Camping
- Tropic Breeze Caravan Park
- Cooktown Caravan Park
- BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut
- Cairns Crystal Cascades Holiday Park
A list of all holiday parks in Cairns can be found on the Caravanning Queensland website.
Motorhome friendly free camping in Cairns
Cairns has some beautiful low cost and free camping. Research ahead of time to make sure your vehicle and the surrounding terrain is appropriate. Some camp spots that campers have previously recommended are:
- Babinda Rotary Park, Babinda
- Babinda Boulders, Babinda
- Ringers Rest Park, Mareeba
- Greenpatch Reserve, Gordonvale Cairns
- Lake Tinaroo, Atherton Tablelands
Get more info on free camping in Cairns, here:
Opening Hours
Contact Details
Facilities
Pick-Up And Drop Off Tips
