Cairns Car Parking is pretty good when compared to capital cities with many different options on where to park your car in Cairns. Getting a on street car parking space in Cairns usually is fine but sometimes it can be challenging but keep a smile on your face and with a bit of patience usually there is someone leaving as you are coming in. Obviously some areas are easier to locate car parking spaces than others.

Cairns Council provides lots of car parking spaces, more than 6400 parking places, including 1400 in the CBD. These car parking spaces includes off-street car parks and on-street parking.

Regulated parking hours are generally between 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM weekdays and 8:30 AM and 2:00 PM on Saturday. It is important to remember that some particular areas, such as the Southern Esplanade Car Park and the Grafton St car parks can have extended hours so please always check signs.

Currently as of December 2024 the parking fee is $2.20 per hour for on-street parking. Car parking is free on Sundays which is fantastic. Cairns Council continues to increase car parking spaces. Please be careful about overstaying on a parking space. I have found out the hard way that parking inspectors are pretty regular, ouch and with the current car parking fine of $96, that can burn a hole in your pocket quickly. I check the signs very carefully when I park, to avoid parking fines for overstaying or for parking in the wrong locations.

Getting there early is a must in some locations. I’ve had difficulty at times locating a park close to Cairns base hospital and the Aquarium. However with patience and going around the block a few times, keeping a sharp eye out for someone leaving, I usually can locate a car parking space at most times relatively quickly.

PAID PARKING IN CAIRNS

Paid parking in Cairns, the costs that we have listed are current at time of writing. Please check prior to parking as parking prices and times can change without notice and this information is only a general guide to Cairns car parking prices at time of writing and shouldn’t be used or relied on as a replacement for reading signage where you park.

Paid on-street parking encourages a regular turn-over of vehicles in high-demand areas to balance the needs of businesses, visitors, residents and workers.

Cairns on-street paid parking method is via ticket machine for the area (pay and display). The machines accept Australian coins (except 5c coins) and credit cards (Visa and MasterCard only). Parking ticket machines accept 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 coins. No change is given on any machine.

Certain areas such as council car parking close to the Reef Fleet Terminal parking charges currently apply to 10:00 PM. Even though I grit my teeth putting money in the slot at that time of night (9:00 PM -10:00 PM) when I see others risking it and not paying it. I always pay for parking rather than risking an ticket. Outside these times parking is free, but always check the signage as this can change without notice and then charges would apply.

CAIRNS CENTRAL SHOPPING CENTRE CAR PARKING

Cairns Central Shopping Centre Car Parking is currently free for the first three hours, then parking charges apply. There is large undercover car parking , and on top additional parking areas. Parking here is centrally placed, usually easy to get except at times like boxing day sales and is ideal for visiting Cairns Central shopping Mall.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre Car Parking is located at 1-21 McLeod St, Cairns. One of the great things about parking at Cairns Central Shopping Centre car parking is the first 3 hours are free. Another huge bonus is there is so much car parking here with over 3000 car parking spaces. I usually don’t have any problems getting a park here unless if it is for the boxing day sales! Parking here is based on license plate recognition when you first enter, is a very easy efficient system. Another bonus is for those with authorized disabled parking permits and a register with Customer Service at the Shopping Centre, the parking is free.

If you are going to catch the Kuranda Scenic Railway Train to Kuranda, before you book your train trip contact us on 07 4055 7158 and with your ticket booked through us, we will book you complementary car parking for the day at Cairns Central Shopping Centre.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre car parking fees

3 Hours Free

3 – 3.5 Hours $4.00

3.5 – 4.5 Hours $6.00

4.5 – 5 Hours $8.00

5 – 6 Hours $15.00

6 – 7 Hours $20.00

Over 7 Hours $30.00

Sunday is Free car parking

HILTON HOTEL CAIRNS CAR PARKING

Hilton Hotel Cairns car parking is located at 34 Esplanade, Cairns. I found this a handy and an affordable option when compared to some other options especially when staying overnight on the reef and needing somewhere to park close to the Reef Fleet Terminal, though some parking spaces, I personally found it harder to manoeuvre my vehicle into but with a smaller car you should find it much easier. If there is availability, the fee is listed below, the car parking fee is for non hotel guests thus public use. Is very important to know that there is a maximum height of 1.8 meters.

Hilton Hotel car parking costs

0-2 hours: $5

0-4 hours: $10

0-8 hours: $15

0-12 hours: $20

If you need overnight parking the fee is $30.00. There is a 15 minutes grace period from entry which would allow free exit if a space is unavailable. The entry back into the car park us through the hotel lobby itself. For any questions on prices and parking, call the Hilton directly on 4050 2000.

Hilton Hotel car parking cost for guests, the hotel charges $25 fee per night this allows for multiple entries. Valet parking is $30 and is only for hotel guests.

Hilton Hotel has EV charging available.

If you are going to the Reef or are going on a liveaboard trip, before you book your reef trip contact us on 07 4055 7158 and with your reef ticket booked through us, we will book you complementary car parking for the day at Hilton Hotel.

RUSTYS MARKETS CAR PARKING

Rustys Market Car Parking is located on Sheridan St, close to the corner of Spence St. The car parking is located above the markets however there is also street parking which different car parking fees apply. For Rustys Markets car park prices these are free. Please check all parking prices at time of parking as prices can change quickly in Cairns. Currently at the car park, they are free for the first 2 hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is very important to be aware, that street parking in this area is a hot spot for council car parking inspectors who are very active. Every time I visit Rustys Market I see parking inspectors and tickets on car windows who have overstayed or have no ticket, a parking fine is expensive. Rustys Market own car parking, above the markets has the following fees: Car parking is $8 a day for up to 12 hours. The first 2 hours are free, spaces are easy to find when you get there earlier.

THE PIER SHOPPING CENTRE CAR PARKING

The Pier Shopping Centre car parking is located at 1 Pierpoint Road, Cairns, below the Shangri-La Hotel. This is a great central carpark which is the closest carpark to the Reef Fleet Terminal. I have always found a car parking space there but you have to pay. If you are going out to the reef or on a live aboard boat for a few days, contact us regarding other parking options that will save your pocket. Our phone is 07 4055 7158

These prices are the current charges at the time of writing this article. Please check for changes.

Parking fees are dependent upon entry and exit times.

Please see the parking rates below.

0 – 2 hours Free
2 – 3 hours $6.00
3 – 4 hours $8.00
4 – 5 hours $10.00
5 – 6 hours $12.00
6 – 7 hours $14.00
7 – 8 hours $16.00
8-11 hours $18.00
9-16 hours $20.00

Overnight fee for car parking at Pier Shopping Centre between the hours of 10:00 PM – 6:00 AM is a flat fee of $16.00 + any daily fees incurred.
Reef Parker ticket is great for going out to the Reef. Is very important that your car is parked in the underground car park between 7:00-9:00AM and that you leave on the same day between 5:00-7:00PM. The cost of this ticket is $16.00. Any applicable daily fees on either side of these hours are also payable

Height restriction is: 1.9M if you have a tall vehicle with roof racks please check your height first. If your vehicle is tall feel free to contact us on 07 4055 7158 regarding parking for tall vehicles.

PLEASE NOTE: The car park rates above are subject to change with notice.

BY USING THE CAR PARK FACILITY OF THE PIER SHOPPING CENTRE AND EACH OF THE CAR PARKING FACILITIES YOU AGREE WITH THEIR TERMS, CONDITIONS OF ENTRY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

CHEAP CAR PARKING IN CAIRNS

Cheap car parking in Cairns can be found with a bit of research & local knowledge. Well worth a look is this private car parking space on the corner of Lake street and Wharf Street. We often suggest this cheap car parking option, especially for parking close to the Reef Fleet Terminal. We like the significant saving when compared to most other cairns paid car parks.

$6.00 all day parking on vacant block of land adjoining Cairns Convention Centre. Enter through boom gate in Lake Street via Wharf Street only. It accepts $1 & $2 coins and credit card facilities are coming. It often looks full but you can usually get a parking space.

FREE CAR PARKING IN CAIRNS

Free car parking in Cairns is available in most locations outside of Cairns CBD. Check to see if there is street signage before parking.

Parking in centre medians are popular but time restricted. Check before parking to make sure no paid signage requirements have been recently installed.

Free car parking at Freshwater Railway Station for those travelling on the Kuranda Train.

Free car parking at Skyrail, Smithfield carpark for travelling on Skyrail to Kuranda.

Free car parking at the old Tjapukai Centre, for visiting the new AFL Club at Smithfield .

Free parking at the Cairns Beaches Tourist Information Centre (07 4055 7158) maximum 2 hours during business hours applies at 8 Rutherford St, Yorkeys Knob Beach Cairns for the purpose of visiting the Visitor Information Centre there. Car parking is easy for large vehicles with boats, motor homes and other vehicles that would have difficulty parking & finding car parking spaces in The Cairns CBD .Visitors are welcome to utilise the local knowledge & extensive experience. Free maps, booking & information on all Cairns tours, discount vouchers, tour specials and family rates. Just drop in for friendly assistance, without worrying about a parking meter.

OVERNIGHT PARKING IN CAIRNS

Overnight parking in Cairns is not permitted on roadsides and other public land in Cairns. Illegal overnight parkers currently face an expensive on-the-spot fine, which seems to regularly increase. Rangers are nice people just doing their job but they can be pretty frequent especially checking high visibility areas such as the Cairns Esplanade CBD and each of the Cairns beaches. Don’t be surprised to get a knock on your car windscreen very early or very late at night and/or a fine pasted on the screen. At current prices of a fine, that is quite a lot of money. We recommend checking out affordable accommodation options, cabins, caravan parks and other accommodation options or visit the Cairns Beaches Tourist Information Centre, 8 Rutherford Street, Yorkeys Knob Beach, Cairns. info@allcairnstours.com.au for options and pursue their extensive detailed lists of overnight accommodation options indicating pricing & facilities.

Self-drive travellers can find affordable overnight accommodation at the region’s many commercially-operated caravan, tourist parks and holiday accommodation apartments, motels and cabins. Just phone Cairns Beaches Tourist Information Centre on 07 40557158 for tips. There are various camping books available from service stations or online that show free camping locations in the region,as well as very affordable camping spaces in National Parks. We are not aware of any free camping around Cairns currently .If you do, please let us know so we can advise other travellers.

OTHER PLACES TO PARK YOUR CAR IN CAIRNS

Cairns Convention Centre Car Parking

Cairns Convention Centre car parking is located on the corner of Sheridan Street and Wharf Street. The Convention Centre car parking is good value. At the time of writing first 4 hours: $5 or daily: $10

Open Monday to Friday from 6:00AM to 8:00PM

Please be aware that no overnight parking is allowed at all and fines apply.

Another advantage is the car park high is one of the highest at 2.2m

Hartley Street Car parking

Hartley Street car parking is another option.
This car parking is run by Secure Parking and payment is only done by using the Secure Parking APP
The car park is located at 2-18 Hartley Street Cairns
It is an open air car park and is open week days and weekends. Please note it is open air, meaning anybody can walk in as there is no onsite staff.

Is open 24 hours

The cost is a flat rate from $7

You can enter after 5:00 AM and depart before 5:00 AM the next day. Disabled spots, No height restrictions, Motorcycle spots, Overnight, Fully lit

Grafton Street North car parking

116-118 Grafton Street
Cairns

Phone: 4044 3044

Mon-Sun 6:00am – 10:00pm

Maximum stay 10 hours

Bunda Street, Cairns Carpark
Bunda Street, Cairns

Phone: 4044 3044

Mon-Sun – All day

Cairns Hospital Multi-Storey Carpark
Digger Street
Cairns North

Phone: 4226 0000

Mon-Sun 6:00 am – 8:00 pm

Height restrictions: 2.50m, Overnight, Elevator, Lit

Cairns Beaches Tourist Information Centre

Free parking at the Cairns Beaches Tourist Information Centre maximum 2 hours during business hours applies at 8 Rutherford St, Yorkeys Knob Beach Cairns for the purpose of visiting the Visitor Information Centre there. Phone 07 4055 7158 or email info@allcairnstours.com.au. Car parking is easy for large vehicles with boats, motor homes and other vehicles that would have difficulty parking & finding car parking spaces in The Cairns CBD . All Visitors are welcome to utilise the local knowledge & extensive experience. Free maps, bookings & information on all Cairns tours, discount vouchers, tour specials, family rates and senior discounts. Just drop in for friendly assistance, without worrying about a parking meter.

We hope this information on parking for visitors, that we have put together from our private experience, is helpful and makes parking your vehicle easier.

Cairns Beaches Tourist Information Centre for All Cairns Tours