If you're moving to Cairns interstate or from another town or city, you're probably wondering which suburbs to consider and which ones to avoid. Every suburb in Cairns has a lot to offer and your choice will probably come down to a few things - cost is a big one as some suburbs' housing prices are a lot higher than others. Proximity to work and schools is another big factor to consider as is whether you want to be close to certain attractions, such as the beach or various creeks. 

Best Rated Transport is a Cairns' based transport comparison site which means we not only know the best removalists in Cairns, but we also know the best suburbs in Cairns. Check out the various suburb guides below: 

Best Suburbs in Cairns

There are 43 suburbs in Cairns:

1. Aeroglen
2. Bungalow
3. Cairns City
4. Cairns North
5. Earlville
6. Edge Hill
7. Freshwater
8. Kamerunga
9. Manoora
10. Manunda
11. Mooroobool
12. Parramatta Park
13. Portsmith
14. Westcourt
15. Whitfield
16. Stratford
17. Caravonica
18. Holloways Beach
19. Kamerunga
20. Kewarra Beach
21. Machans Beach
22. Smithfield
23. Trinity Beach
24. Trinity Park
25. Bentley Park
26. Edmonton
27. Mount Peter
28. White Rock
29. Bayview Heights
30. Earlville
31. Forest Gardens
32. Mooroobool
33. Woree
34. Babinda
35. Bramston Beach
36. Deeral
37. Aloomba
38. Gordonvale
39. Brinsmead 
40. Kuranda
41. Machans Beach
42. Mirriwinni
43. Yorkeys Knob

For Beach Side Living

If you're looking for ocean views and a quick stroll to the beach, you've got several beach-side suburbs in Cairns to choose from. These include Palm Cove, Kewarra Beach, Trinity Beach, Trinity Park, Yorkey's Knob, Machan's Beach and Holloway's Beach. 

Our top picks: 

1. Trinity Beach: Situated approximately 20 kilometers north of Cairns City, Trinity Beach is a picturesque coastal suburb renowned for its pristine beaches and relaxed lifestyle. While it's popular with tourists, it's also great for locals and includes plenty of great walks, parks and restaurants. 

2. Palm Cove: Just a short drive from Trinity Beach, Palm Cove is another idyllic coastal suburb known for its palm-fringed beach and upscale resorts. Again, this is a mega tourist hot spot but it's also home to several stunning properties, parks and is close to Port Douglas too. Palm Cove is also a popular spot for water sports such as snorkeling, diving, and sailing.

For City Living

If you're looking to live close to the CBD, then you've got several suburbs in Cairns to consider. Paramatta, Bungalow and Cairns North are also close to the city, as are Whitfield and Edge Hill. 

Our top pick: 

1. Edge Hill: Located just a few kilometers from the CBD, Edge Hill is a leafy suburb known for its relaxed atmosphere and heritage-listed homes. It is home to the Cairns Botanic Gardens, which showcase a diverse range of tropical plants and wildlife. Edge Hill also boasts a selection of cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops, making it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

North of Cairns 

The best beaches in Cairns are all located north of Cairns, but you don't have to live at the beach to enjoy the beach vibe. There are several North Cairns suburbs that are close to the beaches but also to the city. These include Smithfield, Stratford, Aeroglen and Freshwater. 

Our top pick: 

1. Smithfield: Situated about 15 kilometers north of Cairns City, Smithfield is a growing suburb known for its proximity to James Cook University and the Smithfield Shopping Centre, which features a variety of retail outlets, restaurants, and entertainment options. Smithfield also offers easy access to the nearby beaches of Trinity Beach and Palm Cove, making it a popular choice for students and families.

West Cairns

If you're after a location that's closish to the CBD but far enough away from the hustle and bustle of city living, you'll love the western region of Cairns. There are several great leafy spots to consider including Brinsmead, Redlynch, Redlynch Valley, Caravonica and Kamerunga. One of the best things about these areas is there are plenty of creeks and watering holes to explore. 

Our top pick:

1. Redlynch: Located approximately 10 kilometers northwest of Cairns City, Redlynch is a family-friendly suburb nestled among lush rainforest hills. It offers a range of housing options, from spacious family homes to modern townhouses. Redlynch is known for its community atmosphere and excellent amenities, including schools, parks, and shopping centers.

South Cairns

Moving to the south of Cairns, you will find a number of family-friendly suburbs including Woree, Bayview Heights, White Rock, Mount Sheridan, Forest Gardens, Bentley Park, Edmonton and Mount Peter. 

Our top pick:

1. Forest Gardens: Forest Gardens is a suburb located approximately 12 kilometers southwest of Cairns City, in the southern part of the Cairns region. It has some excellent walking tracks, parks and is close to a main shopping centre. The houses are affordable in Forest Gardens and this is one of the more family-friendly places to call home. 

Inner Suburbs in Cairns

There's a stigma around "M" suburbs in Cairns and many locals will suggest to avoid the M suburbs in Cairns, such as Manunda, Mooroobool and Manoora. This isn't really the case anymore and there are plenty of positives to living in these inner suburbs including affordable housing and close proximity to cafes, restaurants, parks and activities. 

In addition to Manunda, Mooroobool and Manoora, other inner suburbs in Cairns include Westfield and Earlville. 

Our top pick:

1. Mooroobool: Mooroobool is home to a number of neighbourhoods and many parts of Mooroobool offer panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lush greenery, adding to the suburb's appeal. Residents can enjoy stunning vistas of the rainforest-covered hillsides and appreciate Cairns' natural beauty. It's also very close to town, just 6km to the city. 

Outer Cairns

On the outskirts of Cairns you've got Kuranda to the north, which is an affordable, laid back suburb in Cairns. To get to Kuranda you'll need to drive the Kuranda Range.

To the south of Cairns you've got Gordonvale, Aloomba, Babinda, Bramston Beach, Mirriwini and Deeral. 

Our top pick:

1. Gordonvale: Gordonvale is a historic town located approximately 23 kilometers south of Cairns City, nestled in the picturesque Mulgrave Valley. There's a new highway that connects Cairns to Gordonvale so the drive into town is very smooth. Gordonvale boosts plenty of stunning homes and larger properties with plenty of backyard space. 

Best Schools in Cairns

One of the biggest factors when choosing a suburb is the schooling choices. Take a look at our guide to Cairns' schools for the inside access for families moving to Cairns. 

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