Cairns Motor Inn

Cairns Motor Inn is a straightforward motel at 187 Sheridan Street, Cairns North, that takes dogs on request with no stated size limit, which is unusual for a motel and makes it a workable budget base for a road trip with a large dog. Unlike most motels that cap dogs at 10 or 20 kilograms, dogs of any size have been accepted here, which matters if you travel with a big breed that most city motels knock back. Cats are not permitted.

Dogs at the motel

Dogs are allowed on request rather than in fixed pet rooms, so availability depends on the room and the day, and this one lives or dies on a direct call. An additional fee of around AU$50 per pet per stay applies, with some channels quoting less, so confirm the exact amount for your dates when you ring. Book by phone on +61 7 4051 5166 or put the dog in the special requests box if you book online, and get the pet-friendly room confirmed before you pay.

The rooms

This is a simple, practical motel rather than a resort. Under newer ownership, guests rate it for clean rooms, fresh linen and value, and the topics that recur are bedsheets, towels and friendly staff. The overall guest average sits at 3.2 across 86 reviews, so set expectations accordingly: a clean overnight base, not a destination.

Getting there and out with the dog

Sheridan Street is the main arterial through Cairns North, a few minutes from the CBD and the Esplanade lagoon precinct, where leashed walking is straightforward outside the swimming lagoon area. For coffee, Odett's Cafe and Guyala Cafe are nearby dog-friendly picks, and K2 Cairns Queens Court on the same street is the other Sheridan Street motel that takes dogs on request. More options are on the Queensland pet-friendly stays list.