Kewarra Beach in Cairns, Queensland: Is it worth staying?

Maybe. Kewarra Beach accommodation offers better access to the Kuranda Skyrail, Cairns bungy site, Port Douglas and Atherton Tableland than central Cairns.

While Queensland is justifiably famed for its beaches, Cairns in the far north is not. This is partly because the Great Barrier Reef prevents any reasonable surf getting up. But it’s mainly because the classic combo of stingers and crocodiles make swimming at Cairns beaches a very bad idea.

Trip-booster! 8 great day trips from Cairns to power-up your holiday

Kuranda combo package – take the Kuranda Scenic Railway up and the Skyrail cable car down.
Green Island tours with beach time, glass bottom boat and snorkelling. (Or pick a Fitzroy Island trip instead).
Moore Reef day tour – with underwater observatory, snorkelling gear, glass bottom boat & semi-submersible cruises.
Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with snorkelling stops at two excellent spots on the Reef.
Cape Tribulation rainforest day tour – with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural experience and Daintree River crocodile-watching cruise.
Atherton Tableland waterfalls and rainforest tour – including wildlife-spotting and a swim in a volcanic lake.
Outback 4WD tour – visiting Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal rock art and Granite Gorge.

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Kewarra Beach: Cairns beach with stinger net

Kewarra Beach, about 20 minutes north of Central Cairns, does have something going for it, however. This Cairns beach is patrolled, so if any crocodiles make an appearance, everyone will know about it before things get too dangerous. There is also a stinger net in place, so people can swim safely without the box jellyfish getting in.

Looking north from Kewarra Beach in Cairns. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Kewarra Beach is just off the Captain Cook Highway on the drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation. It’s arguably a better base for discovering the region, too. It’s closer to the Cairns bungy jumping site at Smithfield, and also the Kuranda Skyrail cable cars up into the Atherton Tableland.

Should you wish to explore the Atherton Tableland by car, then Kewarra Beach is also closer to the Kennedy Highway than central Cairns.

The same applies in the other direction for Great Barrier Reef cruises departing from Port Douglas. Staying at Kewarra Beach will take 20 minutes off your driving time.

Save time queuing – Book these Cairns attractions in advance

From the air: Outer Reef helicopter flight | Sunrise hot air balloon ride | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
At night: Sunset dinner cruise | Pub and club tour | Aquarium by Twilight experience.
For wildlife: Birdworld Kuranda | Kuranda Koala Gardens | Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome | Cairns Aquarium | Rainforestation Nature Park
For culture: Cairns Museum tickets | Street art walking tour | City and surrounds highlights bus tour.
For thrills: AJ Hackett giant jungle swing | High speed jet boat tour | Barron Gorge white water rafting | Mulgrave River tubing.

Kewarra Beach accommodation

If you are planning on staying, the main Kewarra Beach accommodation option is the Kewarra Beach Resort.

This beachfront resort covers 33 acres, with great pride taken in both the tropical gardens and sense of exclusivity. A series of bungalows and suites are hidden away amongst the Kewarra Beach Resort’s tropical plants. Two free-form pools mean you’ve got safe-swimming on site.

The Kewarra Beach Resort is not cheap, though. Expect to pay at least a couple of hundred dollars a night. You may be better off hunting for apartments in Kewarra Beach if you’ve got your heart set on staying here.

9 Port Douglas experiences to boost your holiday

Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour – visiting three amazing snorkelling sites on the Outer Reef. This is the one for seeing the very best of the Reef.
Visit Agincourt Reef – with a cruise, underwater observatory and coral viewing in a semi-submersible. This is the best Port Douglas Reef tour for less confident swimmers.
Half-day Low Isles snorkelling tour – ideal for those with less time.
Daintree River wildlife cruise combo – see lots of crocs, then visit the cascades of Mossman Gorge.
Sunset sailing cruise – with welcome drinks and appetisers aboard a luxury catamaran.
Scenic helicopter flight – see the Great Barrier Reef from above.
Go fishing at a barramundi farm – with lunch included.
Aboriginal cultural walk – including bush tucker tasting and traditional hunting techniques.
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas – meet all manner of native Australian animals.