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Book the best car rental in Cairns
A popular gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is located on the northeastern coast of Queensland, Australia. The city welcomes millions of travelers from all over the world annually. While there are public transit facilities to visit a few attractions, having a self-drive car gives you access to the hidden gems of the city.
By going for a rental car in Cairns, you can also skip the organised tours that only highlight touristy spots like the Millaa Millaa Falls. In your own vehicle, you can drive to off-beat places like the Babinda Boulders & Josephine Falls.
The best part is that you can totally avoid the crowds. For example, popular places like Cape Tribulation or the Atherton Tablelands get busy with tourists around 10:00 AM-11:00 AM. With a car hire, you can visit such locations early in the morning to witness nature quietly, spot wildlife and click pictures without the crowds.
Therefore, your spontaneous road trips from Cairns to Port Douglas or any specific place you want to visit in the region can all become possible. We provide the best deals from multiple suppliers to make your journey a memorable one!
Where to pickup/return a rental car in Cairns
We offer several convenient car hire locations in Cairns for both visitors and local residents. You can choose the collection method that best fits your itinerary. Simply enter your preferred pickup and drop-off location in the booking form. All the available deals for that particular location will appear on your screen. These are some of the most preferred spots chosen by our customers:
- Cairns Airport (CNS)
- Cairns Port
- Cairns Downtown
One-way car hire in Cairns: A flexible way to travel
Travelers prefer renting a car one way, especially for exploring the East Coast of Australia. Instead of going for a round-trip back to the city, many people like to pick up their rental car in Cairns and drop it off in another city.
We allow our customers to select any preferred drop-off location that best suits their travel plans. So whether you want to return the vehicle at an airport, port, railway station, suburb, or CBD, on our platform you can conveniently choose any spot. These are some of the popular routes selected by travelers for their journey starting from Cairns:
| Destination | Approx. distance | Approx. driving time (direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Cairns to Brisbane | 1,697 km (1,054 miles) | 19 hours |
| Cairns to Airlie Beach | 620 km (385 miles) | 7 hours 15 minutes |
| Cairns to Sydney | 2,420 km (1,504 miles) | 26 hours (1 day 2 hrs) |
| Cairns to Port Douglas | 67 km (42 miles) | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Cairns to Townsville | 347 km (215 miles) | 4 hours 15 minutes |
| Cairns to Melbourne | 2,820 km (1,752 miles) | 30 hours (1 day 6 hrs) |
| Cairns to Mackay | 733 km (455 miles) | 8 hours 20 minutes |
| Cairns to Gold Coast | 1,767 km (1,098 miles) | 19 hours 40 minutes |
| Cairns to Proserpine | 608 km (378 miles) | 7 hours |
Things to do in Cairns
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Reef & island excursions
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef. You can take a boat tour to the outer reef to dive or snorkel along pristine coral walls.
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Skyrail rainforest cableway
Enjoy a 7.5 kms cable car journey directly over the canopy of Barron Gorge National Park. You can take the guided ecological tours to learn more about the region.
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Kuranda scenic railway
Travel through hand-carved mountain tunnels from Cairns up to the mountain village of Kuranda. You can combine this rail journey with Skyrail to have a complete round-trip adventure.
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Mossman Gorge
Spend a peaceful time through dense tropical forest in the southern section of the ancient Daintree Rainforest.
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Rusty's markets
A popular local market that operates on Friday to Sunday in central Cairns. It is a great place to buy local produce, tropical fruits, coffee, street food and handicrafts.
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Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre
A great place to learn more about the culture of the region through walking tours.
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Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
You can enjoy water sports activities in this large public swimming pool. There are free public BBQs, walking paths and nearby waterfront dining spots.
VIP Cars’ tips for renting a car in Cairns
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The demand for SUVs and 7-seater rental cars in Cairns is high from June to August because of the favourable climate. Therefore, we advise making a reservation at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance during these months.
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If you have booked an electric car rental in Cairns, make sure to download charging apps (like PlugShare or Chargefox) to verify the availability along your route. This is because fast-charging networks like Chargefox and the Queensland Electric Superhighway cover only key stops like Cairns Central, Palm Cove, Port Douglas and Atherton.
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Weekly car rentals are a practical choice if you are spending several days in Cairns. A 7-day rental gives you the flexibility to explore the city and surrounding attractions like the Great Barrier Reef region or the Atherton Tablelands, without depending entirely on organised tours.
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If you are looking for a car rental in Cairns with no deposit, use the 'zero-deposit’ or 'low-deposit’ filter on our booking page to narrow down your options quickly.
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If you are driving west from Cairns into the Gulf Savannah or Outback regions, it is recommended to book a 4WD rental car. You need a vehicle that can handle rough and unmaintained terrain efficiently without causing any trouble.
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If you are planning to stay in Cairns for a month, 2, 6 or more months, opt for long-term car rental deals. Such type of deals are more economical as compared to short-term bookings.
