NRMA Cairns Holiday Park

NRMA Cairns Holiday Park sits on Little Street in Manunda, a secure, tropical-landscaped park close to the Cairns city centre, and it is one of the few bases in Cairns where dogs work for both cabin guests and campers. Pet-friendly cabins join ensuite, powered and unpowered sites, which is more accommodation range than most city-fringe parks offer pet owners.

Dogs at the park

Pets stay free on the caravan and camping sites, while pet-friendly cabins carry a fee of around $15 per pet per night. Dogs, cats and birds are generally welcome under the NRMA pet policy, but pet-friendly cabin stock is limited, so confirm availability when you book rather than assuming. On arrival you register the pet and sign the pet waiver. The ground rules: dogs stay leashed within the park, cannot be left unattended at the site, including inside a van, tent or cabin, and must be healthy and up to date on parasites. Reception can arrange extra parking beyond the one allocated bay per booking.

The vibe

It is a compact city park with a camp kitchen, BBQ areas, a pool, shaded sites and clean amenities, and reviewers rate the location: close to the Captain Cook Highway and a short drive from the airport without sitting under the flight path. It suits travellers using Cairns as a base for reef and rainforest trips who need the dog settled somewhere green and central.

Getting there and parking

The park is on Little Street in Manunda, minutes from the city centre and handy to the northern beaches drive. Parking is at your site, with overflow arranged through reception.

Close by with the dogs

Card Avenue Park Fenced Dog Park is in the same suburb, a two minute drive for a secure off-leash run, and Cairns Regional Council's off-leash lists cover Harald Falge Park nearby and the southern end of Machans Beach out past the airport. For coffee, Tank Sixtyfour at Edge Hill takes dogs at outdoor tables.

More options are on the Queensland pet friendly stays guide.

Max: free on sites, fifteen a night in a cabin, and a fenced park two streets over. Confirm the pet cabin when you book, they go fast in the dry season.