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 $2.10 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.

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.You can request a parking fine to be waived if you believe it is unjustified.