Parking
Council provides more than 6400 parking places in Cairns, including 4700 in the CBD, through a mix of on-street parking and off-street car parks.
Parking hours, especially on-street parking, are updated regularly as the city grows, to ensure a regular turn over of vehicles to balance the needs of visitors, shoppers, businesses and employees.
Time limits, and fees if applicable, apply between 8.30am and 6pm weekdays, and 8.30am to 2pm on Saturdays (except the Southern Esplanade and Grafton Street car parks).
Parking is free outside these hours and on public holidays, and time limits don't apply. However, drivers must continue to abide by rules for disability parking, loading, bus and taxis zones, etc.
Parking times and hours at other locations in Cairns will vary, so please check the signs.
Council generally charges $2.20 per hour for its on-street parking, although special rates apply for 8-hour parking on the fringe of the CBD. There are also heavily discounted rates at many of our off-street car parks.
New ticketless parking option
Council has successfully completed a trial of new 'pay by plate' parking meter machines at select off-street car parks, and on-street parking stations in Cairns North and the CBD.
We will now continue the roll-out of Pay By Plate meters to all paid parking areas.
With 'pay by plate' simple park, enter your car number plate details, pay and go about your day. No ticket = no need to return to your car.
On-street parking
Cairns has a mix of paid and free on-street parking. Parking time limits are in place in the CBD and other high-use areas to encourage fair use of the space.
Off-street carparks
Council's off-street carparks provide short-term and all-day parking at varying rates. There is also a large number of private off-street carparks that motorists can use.
Parking fines
Parking fines are a way of encouraging the regular turn-over of vehicles to balance the needs of shoppers, workers, diners and visitors. Council reviews its fines each year.
Appeal your parking fine
If you have received a parking fine and believe there was an error or exceptional circumstances, you can apply to have it reviewed. First, you should refer to the reasons why Council is unlikely to withdraw a fine.
Parking permits
You need to apply to Council for a permit to use commercial loading zones or for business parking and residential parking permits.
Easy Park app
Drivers using Council's off-street car parks (except the Lake Street and CPAC car parks) can easily pay for their parking direct from their phone using the EasyPark app.
Pay by Plate
'Pay by plate' parking is ticketless; simply park, enter your licence plate details, pay and go about your day. There's no need to return to your vehicle.
Last Updated: 18 February 2026
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