Looking for fun in the sun? Discover the best family resorts in Cairns
Make your next holiday perfect with the best family friendly resorts in Cairns, where fun and adventure meets relaxation for all ages!
Discover the best family friendly accommodation in Cairns and make memories that last thanks to this handy guide!
You’ll find spacious suites and fun activities catered to your family’s needs so all you’ll need to do is book to enjoy your next family adventure in the sun.
Why holiday in Cairns?
Cairns, on the east coast of Far North Queensland, is the gateway to the incredible Great Barrier Reef, the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest and so much more.
Flying into Cairns over The Great Barrier Reef looks like you’re about to land in Hawaii, and within minutes of your arrival you certainly are aware that you’ve landed somewhere with magic in the air.
Oh and don’t be fooled by the natural wonders, because you’ll also find brilliant cafés, bustling markets and plenty of beaches on offer too.
If Cairns isn’t on your family holiday bucket list, you might want to think about changing that, because when it comes to memory making fun, Cairns has child-friendly adventure in spades.
The best family friendly accomodation in Cairns, Queensland
Escape to Cairns with your family and stay in the best family friendly accommodation. Explore, relax, and create lasting memories in a tropical paradise at one of the family-friendly resorts listed below.
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
122 Lake St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort offers an unforgettable stay for families of all sizes. With a range of room types, family friendly dining options, large tropical lagoon style pool and VIK Kids holiday program they’re sure to have the perfect accommodation suited to your needs.
Conveniently located near many family friendly attractions including the Cairns Aquarium (next door to the resort), The Esplanade, Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome and more, Novotel Cairns a great base to explore.
Crystalbrook Riley
131/141 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870
This five star resort features 1,000 square metres of pool to play in, cabanas to laze, a short trip to the Cairns Aquarium and over 200 free in-room movies. What more could you want for a holiday with the whole family?
Book your next family vacation for:
- Complimentary access for kids 3-14 years of age to the Cairns Aquarium
- Kids to enjoy one complimentary meal with one paying adult at Paper Crane or poolside dining
- Kids pack on arrival
- Over 200 free in-room movies with your own popcorn maker
- Opportunity to sign up and become a Junior Citizen of the Reef with the Crytsalbrook partner Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, and SpongeBob
- Plus join Crystalbrook Crowd and receive 10% off your stay and 10% off at all Crystalbrook Collection restaurants and bars
BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut
23/51 Anderson Rd, Woree QLD 4868
Set just seven minutes’ drive from Cairns’ CBD, Cairns Coconut is an 11-hectare landscaped tropical oasis loved by families.
Accommodation comes in a few shapes and sizes – with cabins, condos, villas, caravan sites and camping grounds available with two swimming pools, slides, splash park and pedal cars!
If timing your visit for school holidays, be sure to call ahead to find out what activities are planned in-park – so parents can have some well earnt downtime and kids can burn off energy.
DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns
121-123 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870
Just walking distance from the centre of Cairns, restaurants, and the marina, DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns is just steps away from Cairns Aquarium, Cairns Art Gallery, the Esplanade Lagoon, and the city centre.
A major drawcard of DoubleTree Cairns is its proximity to Muddies Playground, one of the most popular playground for kids in Cairns.
Kids will also love the twice-weekly Baraamundi feeding in the resorts Barramundi ponds.
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870
This hotel sits between Trinity Inlet, the Coral Sea and Cairns Esplanade! Laze by the swimming pool and sample the flavours of Far North Queensland in the waterside restaurant The Backyard.
This current offer helps make a Cairns holiday more affordable:
- Booking Dates: 25 March 2024 to 31 December 2025
- Stay Dates: 25 March 2024 to 31 December 2025
- Length of Stay: Minimum 3 nights
This offer includes:
- Daily breakfast for 2 adults and 2 kids in The Backyard
- Unlimited ice cream by the pool for kids
- Kids eat for free with a paying adult in The Backyard, Pool Bar or In-Room Dining, to choose from the kids menu
- High-speed and restriction-free Wi-Fi and broadband internet access
- *Kids are classified as 11 years and under
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
18-26 Cannon St, Manunda QLD 4870
Set amidst 11 acres of spectacular rainforest gardens, the family-friendly Cairns Colonial Club houses 345 modern accommodation rooms, three gorgeous lagoon-style swimming pools, a man-made beach, a purpose-built Conference and Functions Centre plus Thirsty Flamingo Poolside Bar & Dining, a contemporary full-service restaurant.
An ideal access point for all major attractions including the reef and the rainforest.
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
209-217 Esplanade, Cairns North QLD 4870
Book a two-room suite for you and your family for only $399 a night. Plus, kids under 12 eat FREE!
Unwind with room service cocktails or lounge by the sapphire blue outdoor pool. Wander the expansive grounds with colourful blooms and picnic-perfect lawns, or head out to explore the nearby Great Barrier Reef or Daintree!
The hotel boasts stunning water, mountain, and garden views from its 173 rooms, all with private balconies. The hotel’s Harbourside Bar & Kitchen offers a Farm-to-Table dining experience.
Castaways Resort and Spa Mission Beach
2 Pacific Parade, Mission Beach QLD 4852
This really is the ultimate beachfront escape! Idyllically bound by the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforest and positioned absolute beachfront with direct access to the 14 km long beautiful, white sandy beach you’ll find plentiful family adventure here.
Castaways Resort and Spa offers a wide range of accommodation, with 47 Beachfront rooms and self-contained apartments, a private Beachside Villa and 18 lush Rainforest rooms spread over two centrally-located properties!
Looking for more reasons to make Cairns your next family holiday destination? Check these out:
