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Australia · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Cairns scores 76/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Cairns is generally safe for visitors who take standard precautions against petty crime and remain alert in known hotspots. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Australia · Assessed 13 October 2026
76
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:24:13Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Australia: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-09T09:34:08.6817882-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging risk is low to moderate, mainly reported near the Cairns railway station and Manoora after dark.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded areas like the Cairns Esplanade, night markets, and public transport hubs.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
63/100
Visitor reports show unease about safety at night and property crime, though most feel safe during daylight hours in tourist zones.
Yes. Cairns is generally safe for visitors who take standard precautions against petty crime and remain alert in known hotspots.
Official data shows low violent crime and strong governance, but Numbeo surveys indicate moderate concerns about property crime and feeling unsafe at night. Recent incidents include isolated violent events involving tourists and locals, though overall risk remains low for travelers exercising normal caution.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Cairns has seen a recent spike in property crime, earning it the label of Australia’s worst city for such offences in early 2026 according to local reporting. While violent crime remains low compared to global averages, incidents like the October 2026 stabbing of a British tourist by a teenage girl highlight that isolated attacks can occur, though they are rare. Police responses to knife-related calls have also resulted in bystander injuries, as seen in July 2026 when officers shot an innocent person and accidentally wounded a woman during separate operations.
Most risks to visitors are non-violent and situational. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are reported in busy tourist zones such as the Esplanade, night markets, and on public transport, particularly during peak hours. Mugging is uncommon but more likely after dark in areas like Manoora and near the railway station, so walking alone at night should be avoided there. Licensed taxis or rideshare apps are recommended over unmarked vehicles, and ATMs should be used inside banks or shopping centres to reduce skimming risk.
Despite these concerns, official advisories from Canada, the UK, and Australia itself recommend only normal security precautions, reflecting strong institutions, low terrorism risk, and effective emergency services. Travellers generally report feeling safe during the day in central areas, but confidence drops after dark. Staying alert, securing valuables, and avoiding poorly lit or isolated streets at night are the most effective ways to enjoy Cairns safely. The city’s tropical climate and proximity to natural attractions remain its biggest draws, and with basic precautions, visitors can experience them without significant safety issues.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Cairns districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Cairns safety map.
MoorooboolavoidHigher incidence of property crime and opportunistic theft; visitors should avoid, particularly at night.
Cairns City CentrecautionPetty theft and pickpocketing moderate; violent incidents rare but remain alert, especially at night.
ManundacautionResidential area with elevated property crime; exercise caution, avoid leaving valuables in vehicles.
WestcourtcautionMixed-use zone with occasional theft reports; stay alert after dark, especially near transport hubs.
BungalowcautionNear hospital and university; moderate theft risk, exercise standard precautions.
EsplanadesaferWell-patrolled tourist area with low crime; safe day and night for walking.
Parramatta ParksaferQuiet residential suburb with low incident reports; suitable for families and visitors.
Trinity BeachsaferPopular northern beach suburb with low crime; safe for tourists, patrolled regularly.
07 · After Dark
Mugging risk is low to moderate, mainly reported near the Cairns railway station and Manoora after dark.
After dark, be most careful around Mooroobool, Cairns City Centre, Manunda, Westcourt. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes. Cairns is generally safe for visitors who take standard precautions against petty crime and remain alert in known hotspots. Official data shows low violent crime and strong governance, but Numbeo surveys indicate moderate concerns about property crime and feeling unsafe at night. Recent incidents include isolated violent events involving tourists and locals, though overall risk remains low for travelers exercising normal caution. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Cairns report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Field research flags Mooroobool as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Cairns ranks #9 of 9 Australia destinations we've assessed, scoring 76/100. See the Australia safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: cairns.json (CC BY 4.0).
