Moving to Cairns
Reef on one side, rainforest on the other
Live where everyone else takes their holiday of a lifetime — and pick up regional visa points doing it.
155,000
9-10 hours ahead of the UK
$450
about £231
$76,000
about £38,974
$620,000
Would Cairns suit you?
Why UK movers pick it
Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree. Tourism, health and construction drive the economy, the pace is slow, and the wet season is serious. For hospitality, health and trades workers it is one of the easiest places to land work quickly.
"Warmer in July than a British August, every single year."
On the weather.
"Affordable coastal housing on a working wage."
On rent.
Weather, plainly
32°C
26°C
265
130
Tropical. Hot and humid year round with a heavy wet season from December.
Rent compared with other cities
Weekly one-bed rent, cheapest to priciest.
How Cairns rates
Suits you if
- You want reef and rainforest as your weekends
- You work in hospitality, health, marine or trades
- You want regional visa points fast
Think twice if
- You want a professional career ladder
- Cyclone season worries you
- You need cool weather
Suburbs worth knowing
Rent shown is a weekly median for the area, with a rough UK equivalent so you can picture it.
Trinity Beach / Palm Cove
Beach villages, tourist-adjacent
UK equivalent: A permanent holiday resort
Edge Hill
Leafy, established, close to town
UK equivalent: A quiet suburban avenue
Indicative planning rate of A$1.95 to £1. Check a live rate before you transfer money.
Dig deeper
Jobs market+
Tourism and hospitality hire year round, and Cairns Hospital plus construction offer stable long-term work.
Tourism, health, construction and marine industries.
Schools+
Adequate state schools and several independents.
Healthcare+
Cairns Hospital serves the whole far north.
Getting around+
Car needed outside the centre.
Brits here+
Steady flow of British backpackers, hospitality workers and families.
Visas+
Designated regional area with an active Queensland nomination stream.
Other places to consider
Keep researching
Ready to plan the move to Cairns?
See how far your salary really stretches once rent, bills and tax are accounted for, then check which visa and job pathways fit your skills.