‘Pay by Plate’ is rolling out in Cairns

You may have noticed new signage being installed across Cairns North and Cairns CBD in recent days.

Council is introducing Pay by Plate parking across all paid parking areas to provide a more streamlined and reliable way to pay for parking.

From 5 May, 191 parking meters will be upgraded and rolled out across the city.

An initial 45 meters were implemented in 2024 as part of a trial to guide the broader rollout, with further upgrades to be delivered progressively.

Pay by Plate removes the need for paper tickets and returning to the vehicle to display them.

Drivers simply enter their vehicle registration number at the meter and pay using coins or card.

Alternatively, payment can still be made via the EasyPark app.

This upgrade is designed to improve the parking experience for residents and visitors across key locations, including the city centre and Esplanade.

For more information, visit: https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/water-waste-roads/parking/pay-by-plate