Where is the closest accommodation to
Cairns Esplanade Swimming Lagoon in Cairns? Here are my nearby camping, homestay, and hotel suggestions
and their distance to this swim, including where I stayed, plus some local tours available. All distances below are by foot or by road to the lagoon.
Above: The view back towards the
Mantra Esplanade Hotel (left) and
Oaks Cairns Hotel (right) from the lagoon
(Order this image)
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Hotel accommodation across the road from the lagoon
The lagoon is located on Cairns Esplanade, which has a myriad of high rise hotels, all within easy walking distance of the lagoon. The two closest options are directly across the road
from the lagoon, with some of the elevated rooms in both of these hotels having views of the lagoon from the balcony.
Above: The metal fish sculptures in the lagoon, with the
Mantra Esplanade Hotel (far left) and
Oaks Cairns Hotel (second left) in the background
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I have featured the
Mantra Esplanade Hotel
below because in addition to easy access by foot to the lagoon, this hotel also has its own pool, which is one of the features I look for when staying in hotels.
|
| Accommodation type: | Hotel rooms and apartments for up to 2-5 people |
| Distance to this swim: | 30 m |
| Does it have a pool? | Yes, 20 m outdoor swimming pool plus shaded hot tub |
| Parking available? | Yes, free parking on site |
| Click to book → |
Click to explore and book |
Entire home accommodation in Cairns
Cairns Esplanade and the Cairns city centre are all about apartment living, but there are still some entire homes available further back in Cairns, particularly if you have a car
and can drive to the Esplanade Lagoon.
The
Red Sparrow 2
is one of the closest fully contained houses available for short-term rent. At just over 1 km from the lagoon, it is still within walking distance for those
hoping to combine a long walk or a jog with a swim. If you are travelling with pets, then the Red Sparrow 2 has a fully fenced yard with an undercover deck where you can watch over your pooch.
The home itself is fairly basic but highly rated by guests.
|
| Accommodation type: | 2 bedroom house for up to 4 people |
| Distance to this swim: | 1 km |
| Does it have a pool? | No |
| Parking available? | Yes, free parking on site under a carport |
| Pet friendly? | Yes, pets allowed |
| Click to book → |
Click to explore and book |
Above: The free barbecue facilities at the lagoon
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Caravan and camping accommodation
One of the closest caravan and camping facilities to the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the NRMA Cairns Holiday Park, located 4 km north west of the lagoon by road. The holiday park
features an outdoor swimming pool with shade cloth, an undercover camp kitchen, and some pet-friendly caravan and camping sites.
|
| Accommodation type: | Powered sites, unpowered sites, ensuite sites, lodges. |
| Distance to this swim: | 4 km |
| Does it have a pool? | Yes, outdoor swimming pool |
| Parking available? | Yes, free parking on site |
| Pet friendly? | Yes, pet-friendly options available |
| Click to book → |
On booking.com (lodges only) or on the
caravan park website |
Where I stayed
When visiting Cairns, I most recently stayed at the
Cairns Colonial Club Resort (as a paying guest). The main attraction for me was that it was very reasonably priced, with parking
available, and has a pool.
Above: The main pool at the Colonial Club Resort in Cairns
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In fact it has two pools - a huge main pool and a smaller pool towards the back of the complex that has a swim-up bar. I stayed in a one bedroom motel unit that was
small but quiet and comfortable. The complex itself is huge, with hundreds of guests and a 24 hour reception, and a whole heap of facilities and activities, including mini golf and a restaurant. On
my visit it was also hosting a school camp. All of the walkways to the rooms are covered for when it rains. Parking is available out the front of the complex (i.e. not in front of your room),
with a few spots along the circular driveway and plenty of spots on the street directly outside the reception.
|
| Accommodation type: | Motel rooms for up to 2-4 people |
| Distance to this swim: | 5 km |
| Does it have a pool? | Yes, two outdoor pools with slides and a bar |
| Parking available? | Yes, free parking on site and on the street |
| Click to book → |
Click to explore and book |
Local swimming hole tours
Cairns is one of Australia's premier holiday destinations, with plenty of holiday activities on offer. Apart from visiting swimming holes and waterfalls, in my visits to Cairns I have taken
snorkeling tours to the Great Barrier Reef, gone skydiving, and taken a day trip to do some white water rafting on the Tully River south of Cairns.
A trip up to Kuranda along the Kuranda railway is also hugely popular with tourists, which I have travelled on in the past to take a look at Barron Falls.
If you are looking for a local guide to help enjoy some freshwater swimming experiences around Cairns, here are some options. None of these are to Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, as
anyone staying in Cairns should be able to find their own way to the lagoon pretty easily. I have been to all of these swimming locations around Cairns, but not on these tours,
so make sure you read the tour descriptions and reviews carefully before booking:
More information about Cairns Esplanade Lagoon:
If you have arrived at this accommodation web page directly, you can find out more about swimming at the lagoon in my
guide to Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. I hope
you enjoy your stay here.
