Car Hire Recomendations For Cairns (Queensland)

[MerBrook]

Hi all, Just thought I'd try this as a bit of a long shot, but as you are a well travelled lot somebody might be able to help.
As the title suggests I am looking for recomendations for a good, reliable and hopefully inexpensive car hire company in Cairns for our upcoming holiday there in October.
I have already booked a car through Sixt, but have found out that they have joined a local company who do not have a good reputation based on the internet reviews that I have seen, so if someone has a better sugestion then I am willing to cancel that booking.

Also just as an after thought if any of you have any recomendations for restraunts there as well etc, then they will also be gratefully received.

All the best.

 

[Lance]

I was in Cairns in March and although I can't recommend acar hire place, I can advise one to steer clear of, East Coast, a bit of a shambles set up and a shite car.

On the same trip I used Europecar in both NZ and Brisbane, excellent service and perfectly presented almost new cars.

In Cairns, the Waffle House is worth a visit, for both savoury and sweet treats, really good! I had breakfast waffles one morning and dessert waffles one evening, both

There are loads of food places to choose from, one night I had Indian, not good at all! Can't remember where I ate the other night, I'll have a think.

 

[MerBrook]

Cheers for the reply Lance, I think that you have just confirmed my suspicions. The company that Sixt have apparently joined forces with in Cairns is East Coast cars and some of the reviews I have seen have been pretty bad.
Thanks for the Waffle House recommendation, we’ll have to look out for it.

 

[Vonlipvig]

We were there March last year. Villa romana is good. Had a pizza to takeaway and ate in there. The courtyard was really good too for good beer, friendly and decent bar food both are on the front (like everything).

We had either enterprise or euro car, can't remember which but was a really good service. It was a hyundai sonata we had which was alright.

Depending how long you are there, Port Douglas is a must, great trips to the outer reef from there for diving. Hartleys crocodile farm was brilliant, much better than either of us thought and a beautiful coast road up there. We did daintree for a couple of nights to finish off and that really was brilliant, cassowary birds with chics right outside the window. It was daintree wilderness Lodge if you're interested. Crystal cascades was beautiful and you can swim there. Quieter than Barren falls but they are a must as well. The skyrail was good, some great spiders there!

As you can tell, we had a great time and would definatly go back. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did

 

[Lance]

Skyrail , bird world at the top, Karunda IIRC also worth a look. Port Douglas, yep second Vonlipvig.

Spiders are horrendous!

And then there's the bats, hundreds and hundreds, big uns too!

Like Von, I also found Australia to be an incredible place, so much to see and do, everyday being wide eyed at something new. I was there for 4 weeks, Port Douglas right down to Byron Bay. I'd do it all again tomorrow if I could.

https://flic.kr/p/23V1ek4

https://flic.kr/p/23JpJZp

 

[MerBrook]

Thanks for the recommendations Lance & Vonlipvig.
Shame you had to mention the spiders though, the only bit I’m a little wary of, well that and the snakes and all the other wildlife that can sting or bite if I’m honest. Oh well your only here once so will just ignore all that, .
Thanks for sharing the photos as well.

 

[Vonlipvig]

You learn to love the spiders! Or at least you will not be bothered by the ones here when you get back :rofl:

 

[firebobby]

We used autoeurope for car hire in America and had no issues on both visits. They also cover Australia
https://www.autoeurope.co.uk/?Aff=Google&C=30583&pucode=ES&pucity=ALICANTE&ca=380468564&ag=27168633644&ak=aud-173885224118:kwd-161243376&kw=c&mt=e&ds=s&ad=271720802534&ap=1t1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5oa0iPyT3AIViZEbCh0QUADLEAAYASAAEgK4B_D_BwE

 

[freemadw]

Can't comment on car hire companies but Cairns is great. Port Douglas, Barrier Reef, Kurunda, all fantastic.
Don't worry about the crocodiles, the sharks ate them all...
Have a great time.
Cheers, Dave

 

[djstan]

Whenever I go overseas, I use Skyscanner.net to look for hire cars (there's a tab at the top of the screen) - the results show customer ratings of the hire car company so you get a good feel of how it's going to be