Location
Cairns is situated in the north of Queensland, Australia. The tropical climate, the proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and ancient rainforests makes it a great tourist destination, especially in August. August is our winter time and the dry season. The days are generally warm (26C / 79F) with blue skies, and the nights are cool. The locals consider this the best time of the year to be here!
Accommodation
The accommodation options in Cairns and surroundings are plentyful and cater for all budgets and needs. They range from camping options to five-star resorts and hotels and even private accommodation on a otherwise deserted island if you want to holiday movie-star style!
Please consider staying with our accommodation partners!
Hilton Cairns
Hilton Cairns on the waterfront is an award-winning hotel. Several of our events take place in this hotel, and it is a stone’s throw away from the Esplanade, the Crown, the Cape York Hotel, the Reef Fleet Terminal, the Pier, casino, restaurants and more!
Hilton offers a discounted rate: 10% off the Best Available Rate and this includes complimentary buffet breakfast for two. Accommodation rates are subject to availability.
RESERVATION METHOD
Group Name: Ukulele Festival
Discount Code: GEVEA
You can email our reservations department at reservations.cairns@hilton.com. When booking via email please communicate to your guests to quote the function name “Ukulele Festival” and the rate code “GEVEA”.
Phone
Our reservations department is happy to take bookings over the phone. Please call our IN HOUSE RESERVATIONS DEPARTMENT on 07 4052 6747. When booking over the phone, please communicate to your guests to quote the function name “Ukulele Festival” and the rate code “GEVEA”
Pacific Hotel
The Pacific Hotel is one of Cairns most well-known hotels, right on the edge of Fogarty Park along the Esplanade. Many of the room offer wonderful views of Cairns. Our world-music dinner and workshops will be held at the Pacific. The hotel offers a special rate for ukulele festival attendees.
They have set up a rate code UKE for festival attendees to use when booking accommodation directly on the hotel’s website. The code is effective from well before the festival until 08 September to allow for people who may wish to arrive earlier or stay a few days later.
Please enter the code “UKE” in the promotional code area located on the hotel booking website as shown below to receive an additional 5% off online rates.
Book direct at the Pacific Hotel
Tourism
Our town is world famous for being a wonderful tourist destination with world-class tours and facilities, catering for travellers of all walks of life, from backpackers to families.
While you are here for the ukulele festival, make sure you allow some time to enjoy Cairns’ top class tourist attractions, tours and natural sites. We are so fortunate to be able to host the festival in one of the most beautiful places in in the world, outdoors and under coconut trees!

Photo: Tourism Queensland
Visit the Great Barrier Reef, aboard one of the countless cruise boats. Even if you are not a diver, you are able to experience the underwater world aboard glass bottom boats, or whilst snorkeling.
Experience the rainforest with guides or by yourself, the nature is breath taking. North of Cairns are some of the most stunning beaches you will ever see. Pristine, deserted and crystal clear waters allow you to enjoy what the tropics is all about in absolute peace!

photo: Tourism Queensland
Or, west of Cairns, hide away in a log cabin in the rainforest, go for a hike and see ancient fig trees, creeks with platypuses and have a taste of the tropical fruit wines produced on the Atherton Tablelands, which are only about half an hour’s drive from Cairns.
Even further west, about a two-three hour’s drive, the country becomes much dryer, and turns into red desert sands. The diversity of landscapes from the seaside to the outback is what makes our area especially unique.
For those who like action, how about skydiving, bungee jumping, water-skiing, hiking, kite surfing, horse riding, just to name a few exciting activities you can do whilst on holidays here!
Photo: Tourism Queensland
The Cairns Ukulele Festival looks forward to welcoming you here in paradise!