Car Rental - Cairns Downtown

Cairns Downtown Information

Location Details

Cairns Square

Cairns,QL,4870

+61 7 4046 8790Qualifications & RequirementsGoogle map location

Hours

Monday

07:30 am - 03:00 pm

Tuesday

07:30 am - 03:00 pm

Wednesday

07:30 am - 03:00 pm

Thursday

07:30 am - 03:00 pm

Friday

07:00 am - 03:00 pm

Saturday

07:30 am - 03:00 pm

Sunday

07:30 am - 03:00 pm

Cairns Downtown Car Rental at a Glance

MOST POPULAR CAR TYPE

Polestar 2

AVERAGE DAILY PRICE

A$209.00

AUD/day

GOOD DEAL

A$52.00

AUD/day
Cheapest Month to Rentjune
Good Deal PriceA$52.00/day
Most Popular Car Type Polestar 2
Average PriceA$209.00/day

Cairns Downtown

Cairns Downtown Most Popular Vehicles*

Cairns Downtown Car Rental Stats by Day*

 

Avg Daily Rate

Most Popular Car Type

friday

A$90.00

Kia Sportage

monday

A$177.00

Polestar 2

saturday

A$114.00

Mazda CX-30

sunday

A$209.00

Audi Q7

thursday

A$144.00

Toyota Camry Hybrid

tuesday

A$58.00

Suzuki Swift

wednesday

A$162.00

Mazda CX5

*Please note, prices are per rental/contract and include all taxes & fees in USD. Hertz works hard to get you the most accurate pricing possible, however, prices may fluctuate. We aggregate Hertz car rental data so you can quickly and easily compare car rental rates through weekly averages, annual and seasonal trends, and other metrics. These metrics provide you with valuable points of reference on rates so you can plan your trip more accurately than before.

Cairns Downtown Rate Planner

Avg daily price per month

Average price per month is calculated using Hertz car rental data from the previous 12 months at Cairns Downtown Most Popular Vehicles*. (Rates in USD)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
MonthAvg daily price
Jan209
Feb74
Mar64
Apr107
May122
Jun58
Jul134
Aug135
Sep93
Oct125
Nov84
Dec152

Helpful planning tips

MOST POPULAR CAR TYPE

Polestar 2

AVERAGE DAILY PRICE

$209

AUD/day

GOOD DEAL

$52

AUD/day

Cairns Downtown

The Gateway to Tropical North Queensland

Cairns is one of Australia’s best-loved tropical cities, situated in stunning far north Queensland. The city is surrounded by a plethora of natural wonders and stunning landscape, which means it serves as a gateway to much of the region’s attractions, including the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Atherton Tableland to name a few.

Cairns is a city on the rise – and you’d be foolish to dismiss it as just a base from which to explore the surrounding region. The city attracts a young and vibrant mix of travellers and backpackers that adds to the notoriously laid-back vibe of the city. In recent years, the cityscape has seen lots of rejuvenation, with newly built pedestrian malls bringing a new life and energy to the city. To take in as much as you possibly can on your stay to this tropical metropolis, pick up a hire car and start exploring on your own terms.

Unwind and live life like a local 

In Cairns, the saying “it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere” is an attitude that the city embraces wholeheartedly without batting an eye. The city’s dressed-down vibe lends itself well to spending the day doing absolutely nothing at all – which explains why it’s so popular with backpackers and tourists looking for a holiday where it is possible to stand still and enjoy the warm weather without a schedule. And with its hot, tropical climate, a cold beer is always the first order of the day. With competition high, the city is awash with plenty of places where visitors can grab a feed and a beer on a budget.

People tend not to swim in the oceans because of the high risk of stingers in the area, particularly during the summer season. Because of this, the Cairns Esplanade works like the city’s beach. Made up of parks and boardwalks running alongside the shoreline, with a public swimming pool known as the lagoon, the Esplanade looks out over the ocean. The Esplanade Lagoon is a great hangout spot that more than makes up for the lack of ocean swimming.

If you’re not in town to visit the Great Barrier Reef, you can still cast your eyes on some of far north Queensland’s stunning marine life, courtesy of the recently opened Cairns Aquarium, which has brought some of the sought-after reef to the city. Conservationists have meticulously collected live specimens and transported them to tanks where natural habitats have been re-created to educate visitors about protecting the area’s precious ecosystem.

To experience a different sort of nightlife, look out for the flocks of fruit bats that can be seen flying over the CBD as the sun sets. These amazing creatures are fascinating to watch and are hard to miss if you’re in the city as dusk approaches.

Dining in tropical Cairns

Come morning when you’re looking for breakfast and coffee, Cairns is well-equipped to cater for those with even the most discerning tastes. Grafton Street is home to many great cafes, as well as great shops, bars and restaurants. 

As you stroll down Grafton Street, keep your eyes peeled for a laneway sprawling with street art that leads to Caffiend - widely regarded to serve the best coffee in all of Cairns. Caffiend serves up a fresh and original menu of modernised breakfast classics, muesli, and seasonal smoothie bowls. Billy’s Coffee on Sheridan Street is also another locally favoured top spot to grab a roasted coffee. With coffee sourced, roasted, brewed and served by award-winning baristas, Billy’s Coffee’s mission is to use their love of coffee to make a better community. For a brew with a view, look no further than Wharf One, a cosy and casual café along the gentle water’s edge as you watch the boats glide by whilst you sip on your morning cup of joe. 

When it comes to lunch and dinner dining, there is an abundance of restaurants and cuisine options within the city that caters to everyone. For ocean and rainforest views, the Salt House is arguably the best pizzeria in the city. Using a wood-fired grill, the Salt House not only serves up delectable-tasting pizzas from morning through to evening, but also cooks up a menu of steak and seafood dishes. 

When you think of the beach, the first thought for food is fish and chips. The Apex Milk Bar is a restaurant that delivers this and more. From its menu of 12 styles of burgers to its simple but superb hotdogs, there’s a reason why this casual restaurant has been in business for over fifty years.

To make the most of your stay and everything Cairns has to offer, pick up a hire car and start exploring the city’s laid-back charm with ease today.

Frequently Asked Questions

More things to know on your first drive

Driver’s Licence Requirements

 

 

As the renter you are required to present a valid driver’s licence at the time of pickup. You and any person driving the vehicle must be 21 years of age or over (unless approved in writing by Hertz) and must hold a current drivers licence that:

    • is in English or, if not in English, is accompanied by a certified English translation;
    • is valid for driving the vehicle;
    • is not a learner’s permit;
    • the driver has held for at least twelve consecutive months;
    • Renters from China can use a China Notarial Certificate (CNC) and is used in place of an International Driving Permit, however their original Chinese licence MUST accompany the driver as well as the CNC.
    • Driver's licenses issued by the People's Republic of China may be accepted provided you present an official Hertz Translation Certification. The Certification is valid until the expiry date of the China Driver's License. Both the Certification and the original China Driver’s License MUST be produced at the time of rental.

 

Digital Driver License

The Digital Driver Licence is legal for use across NSW & SA and is accepted by most businesses. However, it does not replace the plastic card and the official authorities recommend everyone still carry a physical card as a backup.

Hertz customers will still need to supply their hard copy license until further notice.

 

 

Vehicle Licence Requirements

  • UP TO 3 TONNE TRUCKS
    • A standard car licence required by law
  • 22-25 SEATER BUSES
    • All States - LR, MR or HR Licence
  • UP TO 8 TONNE TRUCKS
    • WA - LR Licence
    • NSW,VIC,QLD & SA - MR or HR Licence
  • OVER 8 TONNE TRUCKS
    • All States - HR Licence

A log book may, or may not, be required. Check with the location to confirm requirements.

 

 

Additional Drivers

 

 

Apart from the renter, who may operate the vehicle, may allow other persons to drive the vehicle provided that you have checked that the person meets the age and licence requirements specified in this section and that they are either:

    • a member of your immediate family who is permanently living with you;
    • your employer, employee, fellow employee or partner and the rental of the vehicle is for business purposes; or
    • a person who is contracted to perform work for you, or an employee of a person or entity who is contracted to perform work for you, and the rental of the vehicle relates to the performance of work; or
    • any other person approved in writing by Hertz.

 

If a driver does not meet the above requirements, they must be added to the rental as an additional driver and must us show their licence. An additional driver fee is payable as follows:

 

 

ADDITIONAL DRIVER CHARGE (per driver)

PER DAY (inc GST)      CAPPED AT 5 DAYS (inc GST)
AUD $5.50                  AUD$27.50

 


If the vehicle is from Hertz's Prestige, Adrenaline or Dream collection, you and any person driving the vehicle must be at least 25 years of age.

 

 

Tasmania - Driver’s Licence Requirements

Renters in Tasmania must have held a Full driver's licence for at least three years and not be on a provisional licence. Provisional licences are not accepted in Tasmania.

Additional Drivers in Tasmania

All additional drivers in Tasmania are required to sign an ‘Additional Driver’ form, with the exception of company rentals, where fellow employees are automatically authorised to drive on company business.

 

*To view or download a printable version of the Hertz Terms and Conditions of Rental document, please click here.

The Fees and Surcharges for Hertz Car Rental - Cairns Downtown can be found here.

GRACE PERIOD

 

 

You may be charged an extra day’s rental for each 24 hour period entered into following the return time at then current rental rates, although you are allowed a ‘grace period’ of

 

  • 0 to 59 minutes late: no charge
  • 60 to 119 minutes late: 1/2 of daily rental charge for that vehicle
  • 120 minutes to one day late: daily rental charge for that vehicle

Daily rental charge for that vehicle for each additional day (or any part thereof) vehicle is returned late.


*To view or download a printable version of the Hertz Terms and Conditions of Rental document, please click here.

 

ONE WAY FEE

 

May apply if you return the vehicle to a location different from the start location. You will be advised at the time of reservation if you are permitted to return the vehicle to a different location and if so, any applicable fee.

 

 

*To view or download a printable version of the Hertz Terms and Conditions of Rental document, please click here.

Fuel & Electrical Recharging Policy

 

 

Fuel is not included in your rental rate. Your vehicle will be provided with a full tank of fuel or if the tank is not full, we will provide you with credit for the missing fuel and you can decide how you wish to pay for the fuel you use during your rental. You have the following options: 

 

Buy a full tank at the start … 

  • Often referred to as our Fuel Purchase Option (FPO).
  • If you purchase a full tank of fuel from us at the start of your rental, you will not need to refill the tank before returning and will have nothing more to pay for fuel.
  • This is a good option for high kilometre journeys where you are likely to use a full tank.

 

Buy a half tank at the start…. 

  • It may be more convenient to pay for a half tank of fuel at the start of the rental and save time on refuelling by returning the vehicle with only a half a tank of fuel.
  • This is a good option for low kilometre journeys where you are more likely to use less fuel.
  •  

FUEL PURCHASE OPTION (FPO)

 

We charge you at the start of your rental for a full tank of fuel at a price competitive with local fuel stations. You will have nothing more to pay to us for your fuel. Please note that we do not provide a refund for unused fuel.

 

  

HALF TANK OPTION

We charge you at the start of your rental for a half tank of fuel at a competitive price with local fuel stations and return with only half a tank of fuel. Please note that we do not provide a refund for unused fuel.

 

Return with a full tank …

  • Return the vehicle with a full tank of fuel purchased from a local fuel station.
  • This is a good option for low kilometre journeys.

 

IMPORTANT: Fuel gauges may still indicate that the tank is “full” many kilometres after it was last re-filled. To deal with this, we ask you to refill the tank within 15 km of the return location and bring your fuel receipt with you when returning the Vehicle. We ask you to present a copy of the fuel receipt to a Hertz employee or leave a copy in the Vehicle. If you do not do so, we reserve the right to apply a small charge – please ask at the counter for details.

 

 

…..or without refuelling 

 

  • A good option if you are in a hurry, did not take FPO or a Half Tank of fuel and do not have time to refill the tank on return. 

 

REFUELLING SERVICE CHARGE: We will charge you a price per litre to refill the tank. These prices are indicated on your Rental Agreement.

 

 

EV Battery Recharging Service Fee

 

You are liable for any reduction in battery charge percentage from when you picked up your EV to when you returned it (no refund will be provided if this figure is higher, upon return). If we are required to recharge the EV to return it to its battery departure level, we will charge you a price per kilo watt (kW), as detailed on your Rental Agreement.

 

EV Low Battery Recharging Service Fee


If you return the vehicle at 15% battery charge level or less, we will charge an additional recharging service fee, as detailed on your Rental Agreement.

 

 

*To view or download a printable version of the Hertz Terms and Conditions of Rental document, please click here.