Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Cairns

Cairns puts you at the start of two of the best rides in Queensland, and neither is more than an hour from the city centre. Head north on the Captain Cook Highway and you get rainforest crowding one shoulder and the Coral Sea crashing against the other, all the way to Port Douglas. Turn inland instead and the road climbs through the switchbacks of the Gillies Range up to the cool air of the Atherton Tablelands, where waterfalls and crater lakes wait at the end of a winding descent. This is the kind of riding people fly to Australia for.

Cairns itself is small enough to cover on foot, so the real case for a motorcycle is what's just outside it. The coastal curves north to Port Douglas and the climb up Gillies Range are both short enough for a half-day loop, yet varied enough — tight bends, sea views, then cooler mountain air — to reward a bike over a car. A motorcycle also means you skip the parking scramble in Port Douglas and Kuranda when the tour buses roll in.

Top 10 things to see in Cairns by motorcycle

1. Captain Cook Highway (Cairns to Port Douglas) — the classic Cairns run, cliff-hugging bends between rainforest and the Coral Sea.
2. Port Douglas & Four Mile Beach — the laid-back beach town waiting at the end of the coastal ride.
3. Kuranda (via the Kennedy Highway) — a winding mountain road up to a rainforest village, an easy loop from the city.
4. Barron Falls lookout, Kuranda — a short detour off the Kennedy Highway for a gorge and waterfall view.
5. Gillies Range Road — the famous switchback climb onto the Atherton Tablelands, a favourite technical stretch among local riders.
6. Millaa Millaa Falls (Waterfall Circuit) — a Tablelands loop stringing together several waterfalls, a popular half or full-day ride.
7. Lake Eacham, Crater Lakes National Park — a volcanic crater lake on the Tablelands loop, good for a scenic stop and a swim.
8. Palm Cove — a beachside village north of the city, a shorter alternative to the Port Douglas run.
9. Trinity Beach — the closest northern beach suburb, ideal for a quick coastal spin.
10. Cairns Esplanade — the lagoon and waterfront strip at the city's edge, a natural place to start or end any ride.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Cairns?

Australia requires a motorcycle licence for anything you ride on the road, including small scooters — there's no general rule that a car licence covers mopeds. If you're on a learner or provisional permit, you're limited to LAMS-approved machines capped around 660cc; a full licence is needed for anything larger. Riders generally need to be at least 18, older again for bigger-capacity bikes, and an International Driving Permit isn't required for visitors. Expect a deposit or security bond as a credit-card pre-authorisation in your own name, with the amount depending on the vehicle you choose.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Cairns?

A small-capacity scooter or learner-legal motorcycle runs roughly AUD 35-45 per day in low season, climbing to about AUD 60-90 per day in high season. If you want something like a Harley-Davidson or a full-size touring bike, budget AUD 150-250 per day regardless of season.

• Prices peak from June to August, when the dry season brings the biggest crowds north.
• They ease off from January to March, during the wet season, when fewer tourists are riding.
• Booking a few weeks ahead in the June-August window helps you get the model you actually want.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Cairns?

Unlike southern Australia, the tropical north runs on its own calendar: high season here is the dry season, roughly May to October, when roads are reliably open and prices sit at their highest. Low season runs November to April, the wet season, when cheaper rates come with a trade-off — monsoon downpours, heat, and the occasional flooded or closed road on the Tablelands loop. If your dates are flexible, book the shoulder months either side of the dry season for a good balance of price and weather.

Local traffic rules in Cairns

Australia drives on the left, and helmets meeting the AS/NZS standard are compulsory for every rider, on a bicycle, scooter or motorcycle. Motorcycles must run with headlights on at all times. Built-up areas are generally limited to 50 km/h, school zones drop to 40 km/h at posted times, and open highways run up to 100-110 km/h — speed cameras, including mobile units, are common, so it pays to stick to the limit. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05 for full licence holders and zero for learner or provisional riders, and random breath testing is routine, so plan on riding sober.

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!