Hi I'm going to Cairns with my bf in October, just wondering if I should hire car when I arrive or book in advance through the website, which will be more cost effective? Any suggestion welcome
And I got lot of useful information here, thanks a lot everyone!

Yaan, if you're taking a reef trip, or Kuranda Train/Skyrail trip you won't need a car for those days
as you'll be picked up at your accommodation or nearby.

A good local company is Sugarland Car Rentals, they'll bring car to your accommodation at no extra charge, which can save the bother and cost of picking a car up in CBD or airport.

Thanks pat, but we are going to stay in a nutmeg grove near crystal cascade which we need to drive there..and we'll arrive in very early morning at 4:30am (!!), that's why we will probably hire car..

Hi Yaan - thought you were staying in Cairns city. Nutmeg Grove, near Crystal Cascades, is gorgeous, yes, you certainly do need a car. At that hour you'd be best renting one from airport.

Meant to add that Ingrid and Terry at Nutmeg Grove would be the best to answer your question as to which would be more cost effective.

Pat, thanks a lot, we really look forward to the vacation

Thanks Pat, I have responded to our clients via email.
Catch up with you sometime. Cheers.

I used delta but I think they have been taken over. Driving around Cairs was a dream, really enjoyed it, popping in to the beaches along the coast north, Yorkies etc, the drive up to Port Douglas was busy as the road winds around a lot, I agree to go to Kuranda the train is best, I did it by car and it was quite a strain and you loose the chance to relax and 'view' as you need to concentrate on your driving.
I would say for a day or so to see the beaches to the north worthwhile, Pat can tell you about a Kangaroo place along the road north and to visit 'there' it was indeed easy having the car as we did the Tukpata(I can never spell it ) the same day.