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Cairns: Unlocking Tropical North Queensland
From humble roots in an Aussie service station in 1989, Redspot has grown to service Cairns and several hotspots around Australia with hand-picked rental vehicles. With a convenient city centre branch, Domestic and International Airport locations, you can steer your way through Queensland with ease.
As Australia’s largest family-owned and operated car rental company, Redspot is proud to help you explore Cairns like a local. With the reefs, forests and hinterlands at your fingertips, you can gear up for a stress-free car rental through Queensland in a flash.
Redspot Driver Facts
Rev-Up for Young Drivers: We are one of the few car rental companies to have a minimum driver age of 21!
Note that drivers under 25 will pay a daily surcharge on their car rental fee. Car hire is limited to small to medium-sized sedans and hatchbacks.
Maximum age is no barrier: With Redspot, age is just a number! There is no maximum age to hit the road.
Local P-Platers and Full Licences: Redspot Car Rentals gives P-platers the green light – one of the few Aussie companies that do! Our safety rules include:
- You must have held your provisional driver’s licence for a minimum of 1 year.
- Your full driver’s licence must be valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.
Overseas visitors welcome: Explore every Aussie hotspot with Redspot! Temporary overseas visitors can hire a car with:
- A full valid driver’s licence and passport
- Licences must have photo identification
- If the licence is not in English then you will need an official translated document from your embassy or road traffic authority in your home country
- Some countries may need to apply for an international driver’s permit
Credit Card Condition: Cover your back and ours. All rental cars require a credit card at pick-up for a pre-authorisation.
Share the ride with additional drivers: We can easily add additional driver’s to your car rental booking. The driver will need to show their full valid driver’s licence in any branch and provide a credit card for a daily surcharge. Too easy!
Family-friendly car hire: Redspot is a family-run business and selects modern SUVs, sedans and people carriers for family comfort. With a range of baby, child and booster seats available to hire, the little ones don’t miss out.
Toll-road Tricks: Buy peace-of-mind with a Redspot toll road waiver and say goodbye to unexpected charges.
Fuel Flexibility: Pre-pay, post-pay or refuel your rental car yourself. Redspot make it easy to keep a full tank for an Australian adventure.
Don’t sweat the paperwork: If you are a first-time renter, all we need is 1 document with your address on it. Returning customers, all you need to bring for collection is your valid driver’s licence and credit card. We will take care of the rest!
Spot-On Customer Service
For over 35 years, Redspot Car Rentals has proudly served the Australian community as a family-run business. Our customer reviews are full of happy, unforgettable car rental experiences to last a lifetime:
Load up with Redspot’s red-hot value packages!
We’ve got your back with 24/7 roadside assistance so you never have to worry about being stranded. For an even smoother car rental experience, we have designed two packages for damage and liability coverage and extra services!
Package prices will be calculated based on your vehicle selected and rental period. Proceed to the car rental booking page for a quote.
All-Inclusive Package
This iconic Redspot package stands strong as the first all-inclusive car rental product in Australia! Designed with peace-of-mind built-in, our good value car rental package includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- Reduced standard liability excess*
- Additional windshield and headlight cover
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee**
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Standard Package
Need something a little more simple but with all the expert local support? Redspot’s Standard Package might be for you. This includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- Standard damage liability excess*
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Additional drivers fee
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee**
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Terminology Key:
Let us break down our package terms so you know exactly what may appear on your invoice:
*Damage liability excess: Amount reduced by is dependent on the vehicle type and hire itinerary selected.
**Contract fee: We have a small surcharge to cover our costs to draw up our rental agreement with you.
***Premium location fee: Sometimes a premium airport or downtown location will charge us an additional surcharge for each rental and we are upfront about this cost in your package! The price will depend on the location selected.
****Registration recovery fee: We pay a surcharge to cover our vehicle registration and compulsory third-party insurance costs and we highlight this clearly in your package breakdown.
At Redspot, we believe in straight-up honesty! Just so you’re in the loop, all the nitty-gritty on damage liability and extra charges can be found in our terms and conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a hire car for Cairns?
While public transport is available in Cairns, why not take your adventures by the wheel on your own time? Hiring a rental car around Cairns gives you the flexibility to go wherever you want, whenever you want.
From the Daintree Rainforest to the Atherton Tablelands, Cairns’ natural beauty is at your fingertips. Not to mention, hiring a car allows you to experience some of the country’s most stunning scenic drives on your own schedule!
What is an example of one-way rental?
A one-way car rental (also known as vehicle relocation) means that your car drop-off location differs from your pick-up location. This makes trip planning so much more flexible and heaps more convenient.
For example, you pick up your trusty Redspot car rental from our Sunshine Coast branch. You hit the highway for an epic road trip through Queensland, ending your journey in Cairns. You drop your rental car off at our Cairns International Airport branch and hop on a flight back home. Too easy!
What is the most scenic place in Cairns?
Arguably the most scenic place in Cairns is the Great Barrier Reef. Depending on where you’re driving into, this World Heritage-listed aquatic marvel is between a 30-minute and 2-hour drive from Cairns.
Home to hundreds of unique Australian coral and sea creature species, you can make your acquaintance with the local wildlife up close via scuba diving and snorkelling. Alternatively, cruise through the ocean in glass bottomed boats or even take to the skies in a helicopter! Whether you choose to explore through sea or sky, the white sand beaches and brilliant blue waters of Australia’s most famous reef is sure to take your breath away.
Can I rent a car in Australia as a tourist?
Yes, tourists are more than welcome to rent a car in Australia! Temporary visitors can show their valid overseas driver’s licence and passport to rent vehicles from Redspot.
If you’re loving your time here and stay in Australia for longer than 3 months, that’s when you’ll need to transition to a local driver’s licence. This depends on the state or territory you’re travelling in, so check in with our friendly Sunshine Coast team for local advice.
Note: Make sure to bring a physical driver’s licence to the kiosk. E-licences or passports are not accepted as valid documents.
If your licence is not in English, we’ll need a translated version from your embassy or traffic authority in your home country.
For more information, see our complete guide to renting a vehicle with an overseas licence.
Explore Cairns and Fuel Your Wanderlust
From rainforest to reef, a car hire means you can cruise through Cairns and beyond on your own time. Whether you’re venturing through World Heritage-listed wonders or hidden local gems, Redspot Cairns locations will help you navigate seamlessly to your dream destinations in Cairns and Queensland.
Great Barrier Reef
A car rental allows you to jump straight into the thick of the tropics without the limitations of public transport. One location that should be on your list is the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef, a World-Heritage listed site teeming with unique sealife! A 30-minute to 2-hour drive from Cairns depending where you are based, it is one of the most popular car hire day trips in sunny Queensland.
Crystal Cascades
Pick up a car hire in Cairns and swap city views for lush rainforests, beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails at the Crystal Cascades. A short 20-minute drive from Cairns CBD, this secluded series of small waterfalls flow into larger pools of fresh mountain water that offers a cool respite from the tropical heat. With council-managed BBQs, picnic tables and nearby toilets/change room facilities, you can easily enjoy a day walking, swimming and relaxing in paradise!
Port Douglas
Hop into your rental car and head a breezy hour’s drive north of Cairns to Port Douglas. This relaxed tropical town is the perfect base for launching your Queensland adventures! From the Great Barrier Reef to the Daintree Forest, you are perched on the doorstep of these UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonders. Rest up from a long day on the road by wandering down Four Mile Beach, or head into the town centre filled with stylish cafes, restaurants and bars. There’s something in Port Douglas for everyone!
Captain Cook Highway Scenic Drive
For an underrated sightseeing gem, hit the road in a trusty car hire and cruise down Captain Cook HIghway Scenic Drive. Drive along the coastline, admiring the views with clear waters on one side and mountains and forests on the other. Stop by any of the small, secluded beaches dotted along the way for a swim, or head out to lookouts like Rex Lookout for a panorama of a lifetime.
Red-hot Cairns tips from our local staff
“Cairns is one of the main gateways to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s most famous natural wonders. You can snorkel or dive to explore the colourful coral reefs, tropical fish, and marine life. But if you want to truly see it, you should book an outer reef tour to truly experience it.” – Nick, Cairns City Branch Manager
“About a two-hour drive from Cairns, the Daintree Rainforest is the world’s oldest living rainforest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a guided tour to explore the rainforest’s unique biodiversity, swim in freshwater creeks, and spot wildlife. Don’t miss the Daintree River Cruise, where you can look for crocodiles and exotic birds.” = David, Cairns Airport Branch Manager
“Just a short ferry ride from Cairns, Green Island is a small coral cay that offers snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, and rainforest walks. You can explore the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef or simply relax on the beach with views of the turquoise waters.” – Wade, QLD Operations
Popular Cairns Car Rental
Redspot car rental started with a humble two-car hire in Sydney and has now grown to a diverse fleet of modern vehicles. From electric car rentals to compact cars for bustling city driving or family SUVs for extra room, we have the perfect car for your road trip.
