Macalister Range

Cairns

This is where I grew up but I was back recently for a family wedding- it has grown beyond recognition. When I was a child it was the end of the train line with no stop lights, one lane in and out of town. Now it's a massive tourist hub. This picture is taken from the Skyrail, an absolute must do if you are there. It goes up to Kuranda, an artsy town in the rainforest. You can also get there by the train, which is great to - or go up one way down the other. This is a view out over Trinity Bay so called because Captain Cook sailed past on Trinity Sunday. Cairns is over the hill in the distance. #green #tropics #queensland #australia
This is where I grew up but I was back recently for a family wedding- it has grown beyond recognition. When I was a child it was the end of the train line with no stop lights, one lane in and out of town. Now it's a massive tourist hub. This picture is taken from the Skyrail, an absolute must do if you are there. It goes up to Kuranda, an artsy town in the rainforest. You can also get there by the train, which is great to - or go up one way down the other. This is a view out over Trinity Bay so called because Captain Cook sailed past on Trinity Sunday. Cairns is over the hill in the distance. #green #tropics #queensland #australia

Popular places to visit

This is great experience to see a rainforest from the top. Highly recommended and worth the money spend on the ticket.

Cairns Cable Ski

Hit the slopes at Cairns Cable Ski during your trip to Macalister Range. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Cable Ski
Cairns Esplanade featuring a pool, a luxury hotel or resort and swimming

Cairns Esplanade

Stroll along the boardwalk surrounded by palms tree and landscaped gardens and watch the sun set over the Coral Sea.

Cairns Esplanade
Palm Cove Beach featuring a beach, tropical scenes and general coastal views

Palm Cove Beach

Located in between the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, this palm tree-lined beach is an idyllic spot to take it easy or begin an adventure.

Palm Cove Beach
One of best things to do in Cairns is ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway. It's a 90 minute journey that takes you down the mountain to Cairns passing waterfalls, scenic lookouts and over old bridges. Catch the Skyrail up the mountain from Cairns and then catch the train back down. Or, vice versa.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre

During your visit to Tropical North Waterfront, you can do some window-shopping at Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre
Cairns Marlin Marina which includes sailing, mountains and a marina

Cairns Marlin Marina

Enjoy views of the harbour and and unwind with al-fresco dining, entertainment and shopping beside the bay.

Cairns Marlin Marina
Esplanade Lagoon featuring a coastal town and a hotel

Esplanade Lagoon

Relax after a day of sightseeing or cool down from the summer heat in this fresh-water lagoon, one of Cairns’ best city attractions.

Esplanade Lagoon

Things to do

passengers aboard amphibious DUKW drive through jungles in Cairns

Army Duck Tour of the Rainforest

€19
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Army Duck Tour of the Rainforest
Couple snorkeling among abundant coral reefs and marine species at the Green Island Reef in Cairns

Big Cat Green Island - Great Barrier Reef Cruise

€62
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Big Cat Green Island - Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Cairns: Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket

Cairns: Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket

€11
per adult
Cairns: Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket
colorful butterfly resting on leaf at butterfly sanctuary in Cairns

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary Admission

€14
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary Admission
The Cairns Museum is two blocks walk from Cairns Esplanade and the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal - Cnr Lake and Shields Streets, Cairns -

Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Single Admission Ticket

€9
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Single Admission Ticket
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Cruise

Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

€144
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise
See all activities in Cairns

Top hotels in Macalister Range

Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns

5 out of 5
34 Esplanade Cairns QLD
The price is €108 per night from 30 Jan to 31 Jan
€108
30 Jan - 31 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Clean room with a great view. Kind staff and family-friendly. Great location. We enjoyed staying in the Hilton, Cairns. Highly recommend.

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

Hilton Cairns
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

5 out of 5
Pierpoint Road Cairns QLD
The price is €130 per night from 30 Jan to 31 Jan
€130
30 Jan - 31 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Had a fabulous view from my balcony; fab housekeeping; breakfast was amazingly, fairly central especially to dive/reef boats. Great stay overall.

Reviewed on 31 Dec 2025

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

5 out of 5
Port Douglas Road Port Douglas QLD
The price is €223 per night from 20 Jan to 21 Jan
€223
20 Jan - 21 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Port Douglas. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 12 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Service in breakfast very poor

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2026

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
Cairns Colonial Club Resort

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

4 out of 5
18-26 Cannon Street Manunda QLD
The price is €74 per night from 18 Jan to 19 Jan
€74
18 Jan - 19 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,012 reviews)
Great as usual

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Crystalbrook Riley

Crystalbrook Riley

5 out of 5
131-141 Esplanade Cairns QLD
The price is €119 per night from 2 Feb to 3 Feb
€119
2 Feb - 3 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
Paper Crane was terrific and well run. CC’s was still outstanding how it is run which is very Professional. A huge appreciation to Francisco as he Welcomed both my wife and myself with Great Professionalism. As soon as the bags were out of the Uber he was wheeling them in and then help check us in. ...

Reviewed on 4 Jan 2026

Crystalbrook Riley
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns

4 out of 5
209-217 Abbott Street Cairns North QLD
The price is €97 per night from 26 Jan to 27 Jan
€97
26 Jan - 27 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 outdoor pools and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Clean rooms staff good

Reviewed on 7 Jan 2026

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
See all 1,986 properties in Macalister Range
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Macalister Range

Clifton Beach which includes golf, a luxury hotel or resort and mountains

Clifton Beach

Clifton Beach is known for its pristine beaches, and you can make a stop by Clifton Village Shopping Centre and Clifton Beach while in the area.

Clifton Beach
Kewarra Beach. The best of Cairns' northern beaches. Stunning.

Kewarra Beach

Unique features of Kewarra Beach include the beaches and golf courses. Make a stop by Kewarra Beach or Kuranda National Park while you're exploring the area.

Kewarra Beach
Palm Cove showing a beach, a garden and tropical scenes

Palm Cove

Palm Cove is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Palm Cove Beach and Vie Spa Palm Cove, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Cairns.

Palm Cove
Trinity Beach featuring landscape views, tropical scenes and a beach

Trinity Beach

Trinity Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Cairns.

Trinity Beach
With a balcony boasting 180 degree views up and down the coastline Santai really is a special place to stay. plus - no kids allowed in the complex! So you can sip your poolside cocktails safe in the knowledge that no one is about to jump in and splash you...probably! www.cairnsluxuryapartments.com.au

Ellis Beach

Ellis Beach is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Wet Tropics of Queensland and Macalister Range National Park.

Ellis Beach
Default Image

Trinity Park

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Trinity Park and surrounding area, you can visit Half Moon Bay Golf Course and Moon River Beach.

Trinity Park

Macalister Range

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