Cairns is mid-range budget — more accessible than Sydney/Melbourne thanks to backpacker competition. Reference budget €130/day/person.
Accommodation (35-45%): dorm hostel AUD 25-40/night (YHA, Base, Nomads), 3* hotel AUD 100-180 (Cairns Plaza, Pacific Hotel), 4* hotel AUD 200-350 (Crystalbrook Bailey, Pullman Cairns International), 5* hotel AUD 350-600 (Crystalbrook Riley, Shangri-La). Port Douglas more expensive (AUD 250-700/night in 4-5*).
Food (15-20%): café breakfast AUD 12-20, lunch AUD 15-30, casual dinner AUD 25-50, restaurant dinner AUD 50-90. Esplanade restaurants AUD 35-60. Cairns Central food courts AUD 12-20.
Transport (10-15%): airport-CBD transfers AUD 30-40 (taxi) or AUD 14 Sun Palm shuttle, Greyhound Cairns-Brisbane AUD 120-180, car rental AUD 40-70/day. No metro/tram network in Cairns.
Activities (30-40%, the biggest post in Cairns): Outer Reef excursion AUD 180-380/person, Daintree Rainforest AUD 150-250, Kuranda train+Skyrail AUD 130-160, Green Island AUD 95-130, whale watching AUD 150-250, seaplane flight AUD 250-400, bottle diving AUD 60-90/dive, liveaboard AUD 2,000-4,000 for 3-7 days.
Domestic flights: Sydney-Cairns 3h, AUD 150-300 return. Melbourne-Cairns 3h30, AUD 200-350 return. Brisbane-Cairns 2h, AUD 120-250 return. Cairns-Ayers Rock 2h30, AUD 200-400 return.
4-day Cairns estimate (couple): €1,000-1,800/couple depending on standing, excluding international flight.
Read also
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