Pacific International Hotel, Cairns

Advantages: gateway to areas of stunning, natural beauty
Disadvantages: lack of history, no real beaches

..., on the East coast of Cape York Peninsular. If you look at a map of Australia it is one the right hand side of the pointy bit in the top right. It enjoys a humid, tropical climate with temperatures rarely dropping below 20 degrees C and has a wet season (Nov to March when monsoons and cyclones can be expected) and a dry season April to November. However, it is in the tropics and it can rain at any time and averages 80 inches of rain pa. We arrived there via a flight from Ayers Rock (if thinking of visiting Cairns from the UK, as part of a trip to another part of Oz, check with the travel agent as it is common for free internal flights to be thrown into the mix). The town is an expanse of hotels, low rises houses and various buildings sandwiched between the Ocean on the East and the rain forest to the West. It is in many ways a typical Australian... Read review

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Advantages: Hotel accomodation, backpacker prices!
Disadvantages: popular, so book in advance, slightly more expensive then alternatives!

...through to the bar and reception area  Lobby shop PROS  reception - 24 hour reception means you don't have to worry if you get in late from the airport/a trip etc, they were also extremely helpful in booking taxis etc  Location - Located in the centre of cairns (between Sheridan, and Graftson streets, a short walk from restaurants, shopping centres, the waterfront lagoon, the harbour - 10min drive/taxi ride or shuttle ride from domestic and international airport , close to train and bus station  Rooms - We had a private double room, with air con, sofa, tv, ensuite bathroom, safety deposity box, and a balcony which was just like a hostel room….Spoilt! - But for those who wish to sleep in dorms, they are 4-6 beds, with ensuite facilities (seperate toilet and showers) > Communal rooms... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap base for the area
Disadvantages: Not that much in the town itself

...Before my trip people told me not to go to Cairns as it's 'dirty', 'ugly' and 'boring'. Never one to listen to comments like that, I still decided to stay there for a week, shunning Port Douglas and Palm Cover in favour of accommodation in Cairns itself, and was determined to enjoy myself, or at least experience enough to write a scathing review if need be. Happily this wasn't the case and I spent my week in Cairns wondering what it was that others didn't like. Cairns is a base for exploring the local area, and is served by a busy international airport about 15 minutes from the town centre. I flew up from Sydney with Virgin Blue, paying £40 for a one way flight with this budget airline. From there I flew, a week and a bit later, down to Brisbane, paying a similar amount for a slightly shorter flight. The one negative feature... Read review

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