25 Harbour Lights with Magical Water Views Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 5.00 - Revenue
- A$220,820
- Occupancy
- 75.5%
- Daily rate
- A$818
Airbnb market data · 202612 months to September 2026
The average Airbnb in Cairns City brought in A$47,874 over the 12 months through September 2026, in line with the Queensland average of A$48,565.
The short answer
Cairns City is cheaper but busier than the Queensland average. Listings averaged A$323 a night and were booked on 53% of available nights, against A$385 and 46% for the Queensland average.
Timing matters: in July, the best month, the average listing earned about 2.6 times as much as in March, the slowest.
With 57 active listings, Cairns City is the 60th-largest of 134 Queensland markets AirROI tracks.
Browse the live Cairns City Airbnb market See Every Cairns City ListingRevenue
Gross bookings per Cairns City listing averaged A$47,874 over the 12 months to September 2026 (Queensland average: A$48,565), before cleaning, platform and management costs and taxes.
The average Cairns City listing brought in A$9,600 in July, its best month, and A$3,690 in March, its slowest. The three strongest months bring in 37% of a full year's revenue, where an even calendar would give any three months 25%.
In a typical month, a top-quarter listing earns at least 2.5 times as much as a bottom-quarter one.
These are monthly figures for listings active in each month. The annual average above also counts listings that operated for only part of the year, so it runs below twelve times these figures.
July earned about 2.6 times what March did
Average revenue per active listing, by month, September 2025 to August 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, A$5,650.
Latest 12 months in the September 2026 data. September's figures are still coming in, so the rows run to August.
July 2026 led on revenue and nightly rate; bookings peaked in August 2026.
| Month | Avg. Revenue | Occupancy | Avg. Nightly Rate | RevPAR | Booking Lead Time | Avg. Length of Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | A$6,267 | 51.0% | A$307 | A$209 | 37 days | 5.2 nights |
| Oct 2025 | A$5,645 | 50.0% | A$305 | A$182 | 34 days | 5.1 nights |
| Nov 2025 | A$4,978 | 47.5% | A$292 | A$166 | 25 days | 4.2 nights |
| Dec 2025 | A$4,873 | 48.0% | A$301 | A$157 | 30 days | 5.9 nights |
| Jan 2026 | A$4,153 | 42.7% | A$287 | A$134 | 26 days | 6.2 nights |
| Feb 2026 | A$3,808 | 47.8% | A$267 | A$136 | 30 days | 5.3 nights |
| Mar 2026 | A$3,690 | 45.5% | A$266 | A$119 | 36 days | 5.7 nights |
| Apr 2026 | A$4,178 | 48.7% | A$283 | A$139 | 41 days | 5.2 nights |
| May 2026 | A$4,801 | 51.0% | A$312 | A$155 | 38 days | 5.5 nights |
| Jun 2026 | A$7,274 | 67.6% | A$346 | A$242 | 58 days | 6 nights |
| Jul 2026 | A$9,600 | 69.7% | A$367 | A$310 | 60 days | 5.9 nights |
| Aug 2026 | A$8,478 | 74.8% | A$353 | A$273 | 58 days | 5.2 nights |
Averages per active listing in each month. Highlighted: the highest-revenue month of the 12. RevPAR is the month's revenue spread over its nights, booked or not. Booking lead time is the days between booking and check-in, and length of stay the nights per booking, for stays in that month.
The typical Cairns City listing earns about A$4,770 a month, but one property can land well above or below that. The Airbnb estimator gives a range for a specific address, built from the comparable listings around it.
Profit
Yes, when it's run well. The average Cairns City Airbnb took in A$47,874 in the 12 months to September 2026, and run by its owner at everyday costs, about A$2,540 a month of that is left after running costs, so a home that costs less than that to own or rent makes money. A listing in the top quarter leaves about A$4,100 a month.
Cleaning it yourself keeps the A$5,270 a year guests pay in cleaning fees, for about A$2,980 a month. Handing the listing to a co-host at about 10% of nightly bookings still leaves about A$2,190 a month.
These amounts come before housing costs. Where the mortgage or rent is less each month, the difference is profit; a home owned outright keeps it all after property tax, home insurance and any building or condo fees.
| Line | Average listing | Top-quarter listing |
|---|---|---|
| Money in | ||
| Nightly bookings | A$42,604 | A$68,130 |
| Cleaning fees guests pay11% of Cairns City bookings | A$5,270 | A$8,430 |
| Gross bookings | A$47,874 | A$76,560 |
| Running costs | ||
| Airbnb's feeAbout 14%: 15.5% for the 86% of Cairns City listings on Simplified Pricing, 3% for the rest | −A$6,580 | −A$10,520 |
| Cleaning and laundryPaid for by the cleaning fee; A$0 if you clean yourself | −A$5,270 | −A$8,430 |
| Utilities and internetAbout 5% of bookings | −A$2,390 | −A$3,830 |
| Guest suppliesToiletries, coffee, paper goods: about 2% | −A$960 | −A$1,530 |
| Repairs and upkeepIncluding linens and small replacements: about 3% | −A$1,440 | −A$2,300 |
| Short-term rental insuranceOne policy, on top of Airbnb's free AirCover | −A$480 | −A$480 |
| Permit and registrationWhere one is required | −A$240 | −A$240 |
| ManagementA$0 when you run it; co-hosts charge from about 10% of nightly bookings | A$0 | A$0 |
| Pricing and messaging toolsOptional; Airbnb's own tools are free | A$0 | A$0 |
| Lodging taxesAdded to the guest's bill and passed on | A$0 | A$0 |
| Total running costsAbout 25% of bookings, plus cleaning paid for by the cleaning fee | −A$17,360 | −A$27,330 |
| Left for housing costs, then profit | A$30,514about A$2,540 a month | A$49,230about A$4,100 a month |
| Housing costs | ||
| Mortgage or rent, property tax, home insurance, building or condo fees | Depend on the home | |
The estimate starts from Cairns City's average listing, run by its owner. Change how the listing performs, who runs it and who cleans to see what is left for the mortgage or rent.
To work out the profit on one Cairns City home, with its price, its mortgage or rent and your own costs, use the Airbnb profit calculator. It starts from the comparable listings around the address.
What a listing keeps comes down to the figures this page measures: nightly rate, nights booked and the months it's open. A listing at the top-quarter mark takes in about A$6,380 a month, against A$3,990 for the average one.
Occupancy
Cairns City listings were booked on 53% of the nights they were open over the past year, 7 percentage points above the Queensland average (46%) and 10 points above the Australia average (43%). Occupancy swings from 43% in January to 75% in August.
The busiest tenth of listings are booked about 2.6 times as often as the bottom quarter.
August was the busiest month in Cairns City, January the quietest
Share of open nights booked, by month, September 2025 to August 2026
Nightly rates
The average nightly rate in Cairns City, known as ADR (average daily rate), was A$323 over the past year, about 16% below the Queensland and Australia averages (both about A$385). Rates peak in July at about A$365 and bottom out in February and March at about A$265.
The top 10% charge about 2.7 times the rate of the bottom quarter.
July rates ran 38% above March's
Average nightly rate (ADR), by month, September 2025 to August 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, A$307.
RevPAR, or revenue per available night, divides a listing's income by every night it was open to book, so it rises with both price and bookings. In Cairns City it averaged A$176 over the past year, from about A$119 in March to about A$310 in July.
Per open night, by tier:
July RevPAR was about 2.6 times March's
Revenue per open night (RevPAR), by month, September 2025 to August 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, A$185. The 12-month RevPAR of A$176 averages each listing's whole year, slow months included; each month here counts only the listings booked in it.
Seasonality
Cairns City has one high season, June through September, which makes it a highly seasonal market. Business is slowest from November to May. A listing earns about twice as much a month in June through August as in December through February.
| Season | Revenue per month | Occupancy | Nightly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| High seasonJune–September | A$7,900 | 66% | A$343 |
| Shoulder seasonOctober | A$5,640 | 50% | A$305 |
| Low seasonNovember–May | A$4,350 | 47% | A$287 |
Guests book Cairns City stays 41 days ahead on average (about six weeks). July stays are booked furthest out, about 60 days ahead, and November stays closest to arrival, about 25 days. A typical July booking is made in mid-May.
July stays are booked furthest ahead
Average days between booking and check-in, by month of stay, September 2025 to August 2026
Permits
None of the 57 active listings in Cairns City display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply: some places don't ask hosts to show a number on the listing, and listing data doesn't capture every scheme.
Registration, permit, zoning and tourist-tax rules vary by address and change often, so confirm them with the local authority before buying or listing in Cairns City.
Neighborhoods
AirROI's area guide picks five Cairns City neighborhoods that draw short-term rental guests, led by Cairns Esplanade, Kuranda and Cairns City Centre. The picks reflect guest appeal, not earnings data or permit eligibility, so check local permit rules for a specific address before buying.
| Area | Who it suits | Landmarks nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Cairns Esplanade | A popular waterfront promenade with stunning views, BBQ areas, and easy access to the beach. Tourists love it for its relaxed atmosphere and proximity to restaurants and activities. | Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns Night Markets, Cairns Botanic Gardens, Cairns Convention Centre, The Esplanade Precinct |
| Kuranda | A picturesque village in the rainforest, Kuranda is known for its arts and crafts markets and scenic views. Great for those looking for a unique, nature-based experience. | Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda Markets, Birdworld Kuranda, Australian Butterfly Sanctuary |
| Cairns City Centre | The heart of Cairns, bustling with shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Ideal for tourists who want to be in the middle of the action and close to services. | Cairns Central Shopping Centre, Cairns Aquarium, Raintrees Shopping Centre, The Reef Hotel Casino, Restaurants and bars |
| Ellis Beach | A quiet beach escape close to Cairns, known for its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. A hidden gem for those seeking a peaceful getaway. | Ellis Beach, Beachfront cafes, Barbecue areas, Access to walking trails, Secluded swimming spots |
| Yorkeys Knob | A relaxed beach area perfect for families and those seeking outdoor activities such as kite surfing and fishing. Offers a friendly, community vibe. | Yorkeys Knob Beach, Marino's on the Beach, Golf course, Kite surfing, Fishing spots |
Area descriptions are AI-assisted from public sources and are not checked against zoning.
Listings
Almost every Airbnb in Cairns City is an entire home: 96% of listings, with private rooms at 4%. Apartments and condos account for 96% of the stock; houses come next at 2%.
Nearly all listings rent the whole place
Cairns City Airbnb listings by room type
| Room type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Entire home | 96.5% | 55 |
| Private room | 3.5% | 2 |
Apartments dominate the property mix
Cairns City Airbnb listings by property type
| Property type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment/Condo | 96.5% | 55 |
| House | 1.8% | 1 |
| Hotel/Boutique | 1.8% | 1 |
One-bedroom homes are the most common size in Cairns City (45% of entire homes), followed by two-bedroom homes (27%).
Cairns City entire homes by number of bedrooms
Entire homes with each number of bedrooms
| Bedrooms | Share of entire homes | Entire homes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 7.3% | 4 |
| 1 bedroom | 45.5% | 25 |
| 2 bedrooms | 27.3% | 15 |
| 3 bedrooms | 20.0% | 11 |
A typical one-bedroom home in Cairns City earned A$36,500 over the past year, against A$60,200 for a three-bedroom home.
| Home size | Listings | Typical annual revenue (median) | Average annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 25 | A$36,500 | A$35,400 | A$223 | 60% |
| 2 bedrooms | 15 | A$75,300 | A$71,800 | A$399 | 58% |
| 3 bedrooms | 11 | A$60,200 | A$59,700 | A$526 | 40% |
Most Cairns City listings are sized for couples and small families: 79% sleep four guests or fewer, and just 2% take eight or more.
Cairns City listings by guest capacity
Share of listings by the number of guests they sleep
| Guest capacity | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 guest | 1.8% | 1 |
| 2 guests | 42.1% | 24 |
| 4 guests | 35.1% | 20 |
| 6 guests | 17.5% | 10 |
| 7 guests | 1.8% | 1 |
| 8+ guests | 1.8% | 1 |
Cairns City hosts set up an average of 2.1 beds per listing, close to one bed per bedroom. About half of listings (49%) show their exact location on the listing map; the rest show an approximate area.
Pools are close to standard in Cairns City: 95% of listings have one, and 86% have a washer.
Share of Cairns City listings with each common amenity
Guests
Cairns City splits its demand between home and abroad: 48% of guests who left reviews live outside Australia, led by visitors from the United States and the United Kingdom.
52% of Cairns City guests are domestic
Where guests who left reviews live
Where Cairns City guests come from: top cities
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin city | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Melbourne | 3.3% |
| Sydney | 2.4% |
| Cairns | 1.8% |
| Brisbane | 1.8% |
Where Cairns City guests come from: top countries
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin country | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Australia | 52.2% |
| United States | 16.8% |
| United Kingdom | 7.9% |
| Canada | 3.3% |
| New Zealand | 3.1% |
Languages spoken by Cairns City guests
Share of guests who left reviews
| Language | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| English | 60.7% |
| French | 6.3% |
| Spanish | 5.9% |
| Chinese | 4.6% |
| German | 4.2% |
Cairns City Airbnbs average 4.83 stars, and 51% of listings hold Airbnb's Guest Favorite badge. The category scores are tightly bunched, and value for money is the lowest, at 4.78.
Communication and location score highest in Cairns City; value is lowest
Average guest rating out of 5 by category; the bars start at 4.0
| Category | Average rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4.86 |
| Cleanliness | 4.84 |
| Communication | 4.90 |
| Location | 4.90 |
| Check-in | 4.83 |
| Value | 4.78 |
Booking patterns
More than seven in ten Cairns City listings are open to guests more than 180 days a year, but only 33% are booked or blocked that many days. The most common booked-or-blocked total is 91 to 180 days a year, covering 42% of listings; blocked nights include any the host closes off.
Days a year Cairns City listings are open to guests
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 24.6% | 14 |
| 181-270 days | 47.4% | 27 |
| 91-180 days | 24.6% | 14 |
| 31-90 days | 3.5% | 2 |
Days a year Cairns City listings are booked or blocked
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 3.5% | 2 |
| 181-270 days | 29.8% | 17 |
| 91-180 days | 42.1% | 24 |
| 31-90 days | 17.5% | 10 |
| 1-30 days | 7.0% | 4 |
The average Cairns City booking lasts 6 nights, longest in January and shortest in November. Listings took about 27 bookings each over the year, some 1,550 in all. About seven in ten listings that give a check-in time set it at 3 p.m., with check-out usually at 10 a.m.
Average length of stay by month in Cairns City
Average nights per booking, by month of stay
46% of listings in Cairns City accept stays of one or two nights; the most common minimum is three nights.
Minimum stay set by Cairns City listings
Share of listings by the shortest stay they accept, from one night to 30 or more
Firm is the most common cancellation policy in Cairns City, used by 42% of listings; it refunds guests in full only if they cancel at least 30 days before check-in. 46% of listings offer Flexible or Moderate terms and 44% use Firm or stricter ones, so neither camp dominates.
Cancellation policies of Cairns City listings, from most to least flexible
Share of listings by the policy they use
About eight in ten Cairns City listings charge a cleaning fee. The typical fee is A$180, and some higher fees lift the average to A$257. Spread over the average stay of 6 nights, that adds roughly A$30 a night to what guests pay. For listings that charge one, cleaning fees make up about 11% of gross revenue.
Top earners
The top-grossing Airbnb in Cairns City, a two-bedroom unit, took in A$221,000 over the past year, about 4.6 times the city's average of A$47,900. All six listings below have two bedrooms or fewer, so size alone doesn't explain the top of this market.
25 Harbour Lights with Magical Water Views Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 5.00
Reef Tours at your doorstep - best location Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 5.00
The Heart of Cairns City Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.65
McLeod Escape—Central Base by Markets & Waterfront Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.89
Belle Escapes Ocean Breeze at Trilogy Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 5.00
14 Harbour Lights with tranquil ocean views Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.81 Professional management companies run one in five Cairns City listings and owners run the rest, though 33% of listings have a co-host. Three-quarters of listings are run by Superhosts, so a strong review record is the norm here rather than an edge. Most hosts still vet their guests: only 23% of listings accept Instant Book. Airbnb's Simplified Pricing, where the host pays the whole service fee and guests see one price with no separate Airbnb charge, covers 86% of listings.
Nearby markets
AirROI also tracks listings in this area under other names: Cairns (843 active listings) and Cairns Regional (619) have their own pages and are left out of the comparison below.
Of the eight nearby markets in the table, all within 70 km, Kewarra Beach (18 km away, 44 listings) earned the most per listing, about 58% more than Cairns City.
| Market | Listings | Avg. annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Beach 17 km | 44 | A$45,164 | A$337 | 46% |
| Kewarra Beach 18 km | 44 | A$75,841 | A$520 | 47% |
| Palm Cove 22 km | 137 | A$62,061 | A$502 | 42% |
| Yungaburra 43 km | 44 | A$44,582 | A$344 | 40% |
| Tablelands Regional 48 km | 42 | A$46,315 | A$389 | 43% |
| Atherton 49 km | 37 | A$28,961 | A$229 | 39% |
| Port Douglas 57 km | 668 | A$54,840 | A$525 | 40% |
| Douglas Shire 70 km | 133 | A$53,122 | A$456 | 40% |
See all 134 Queensland Airbnb markets
Markets elsewhere in Australia with a similar nightly rate and occupancy to Cairns City:
FAQ
An active Cairns City Airbnb grossed A$47,874 on average in the 12 months to September 2026, according to AirROI's tracking of 57 active listings. That is before cleaning, management, taxes and financing. Busier, better-run listings do far better: the top quarter took in A$7,630 or more in a typical month.
It depends most on the home's size, location and how it's run. The middle half of Cairns City listings earn between A$2,950 and A$7,630 in a typical month, and the top tenth A$9,770 or more. For one home, enter its address and bedroom count in the Airbnb income calculator: it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
Listings in Cairns City were booked on 53% of available nights over the past year. That compares with 46% for the Queensland average. August was the busiest month.
The average booked night in Cairns City cost A$323 before fees. Half of listings charge between A$195 and A$400, so bedroom count and location move the price more than the average suggests.
None of the active Cairns City listings display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply, so confirm registration, permit and tourist-tax rules with the local authority before buying.
Yes, when it's run well. The average Cairns City Airbnb grossed A$47,874 in the 12 months to September 2026, in line with the Queensland average. Run by its owner, with the cleaning fee covering the cleaner and everyday costs for Airbnb's fee, utilities, supplies, upkeep and insurance, A$30,514 a year (about A$2,540 a month) is left before the mortgage or rent. A home that costs less than that to own or rent makes a profit, and a listing at the top-quarter mark leaves about A$4,100 a month. Check a specific home in the Airbnb calculator.
July paid best over the past year, at A$9,600 per active listing, and March paid least. The month-by-month table above shows how rates and bookings each move.
Each night a Cairns City listing was open to book earned A$176 on average over the past year, booked or not. That figure, revenue per available night (RevPAR), folds price and occupancy into one number; the top 10% of listings made A$303 or more.
Cairns City stays were booked 41 days (about six weeks) before arrival on average over the past year, so most of a month is booked well before it starts.
The average Cairns City Airbnb stay lasted 6 nights over the past year. A listing took 27 reservations over the year on average.
Guests rate Cairns City Airbnbs 4.83 out of 5 on average. Guests score location highest and value lowest.
Cairns Esplanade, Kuranda and Cairns City Centre draw the most short-term rental interest in Cairns City. The neighborhood guide explains what brings guests to each.
AirROI counted 57 active Airbnb listings in Cairns City as of September 2026. The closest tracked market is Trinity Beach, 17 km away.
In Cairns City, about eight in ten listings add a cleaning fee. The median fee is A$180, and some higher fees lift the average to A$257.
Method
Figures on this page cover 57 active Airbnb listings in Cairns City from October 2025 to September 2026 (trailing twelve months). AirROI refreshes them monthly from listing-level booking and calendar data covering 20+ million properties worldwide. AirROI measures bookings in US dollars; this page shows them in Australian dollars at A$1.44 per US$, the typical rate from October 2025 to September 2026. Annual revenue averages every listing active during the period, including those listed for only part of it; monthly figures average the listings active in each month; the tier lists show the spread. Neighborhood descriptions are AI-assisted. See the methodology for definitions.
Need this programmatically? The same metrics are available through the AirROI Airbnb Data API and bulk downloads in the data portal.