Cairns Travel Forum

Couple in are 20's from the US and arriving in Cairns, AU Aug.8th. We have already made arrangments to stay in a Hostel for the first 5 nights. However, we plan on staying in Cairns for about a year and are having trouble finding long-term apartments on the web. Something we can lease three, six, or nine months. Something we can pay month to month or week to week if needed. Fully or part furnished, just the basics nothing fancy. Is it called something different over there??? Hows the best way to find these types of places? Are there these types of places? On a side note what kind if outlets are used over there. Also, how do the cellphones work of there? is it pay as u go or do u join a carrier? Any help would be great....:) thanks

Once you get here you can go to the Estate Agents and they will have units/apartments for lease.Check out Real Estate agents Cairns, AUstralia online and you will get a list of them. Usually you can get these on 3/6 or 12 month leases.You will need to pay, two weeks rent in advance, plus sometimes they ask for another months rent to secure a unit, if you aren't working.
The other place you can look is in the Cairns Post, Saturdays is the day that they put most units for lease, these can be furnished or unfurnished.
I have a furnished unit, this inlcuded queen bed in both bedrooms, bedside tables, built in robes, kitchen table, two lounges,coffee table, outdoor table on Patio, plus a cabinet for the tele etc. All white goods as well, fridge, microwave, washing machine and dryer.

I live in the Edgehill, Manunda area, I love it.There are heaps of units around this area, BUT I haven't noticed many for rent signs out at the moment, probably because it's the busy season here.

Here is the Cairns Post online
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/
Check out classifieds on Saturday...

Cheers
Anne
PS Once you are here you can buy a cheap mobile phone, around $50/$70 dollars from Telstra Shops or other providers ( all are in the Cairns Central shopping centre in Cairns city area) and these you can pay as you go. This is the cheapest way, don't do a contract:)

Two real estate websites you can check out are www.domain.com.au and www.realestate.com.au

There ususally are adds in the backpackers hostels from people wanting to rent out their place or rent a place together, so watch for those. As for your cell phone, just buy an oz prepaid sim card, it's much cheaper than keeping your own.