Most Dangerous Suburbs In Cairns To Avoid In 2026
"Stay informed. Stay cautious!"
Table of Content
Cairns is one of the most popular cities in Far North Queensland, known for its beaches, warm weather, and relaxed lifestyle. It is also a common choice for students, working professionals, and tourists. However, like any city, Cairns has some areas where crime and safety issues are reported more often than others.
In this blog, we will cover the most dangerous suburbs in Cairns and explain why these places are sometimes considered unsafe areas in Cairns. This Cairns city guide will help you understand which areas may need extra caution, especially at night, and what to look out for before choosing a place to live. Crime can be different from street to street, so this list is not meant to scare you; it is meant to help you stay informed. If you are new to Cairns, knowing these suburbs can help you pick better accommodation if you are studying at James Cook University Cairns Campus or CQUniversity Cairns, plan your travel route, and avoid dangerous areas to live in Cairns at night.
Crime Rate in Cairns
The crime rate in Cairns, Queensland, is around 154.45 crimes per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the overall Australian benchmark. Crime in Cairns is not the same across all suburbs; a few pockets record much higher incident concentration than others. Most reported incidents in the dangerous neighbourhoods in Cairns are usually linked to property crimes like theft, unlawful entry (break-ins), and vehicle-related offences, especially in inner-city and nearby suburbs. This is why areas like the CBD and surrounding localities are often discussed as the most dangerous suburbs in Cairns.
| Area | Crime rate (Crimes per 1,000 residents) | Compared to Australia avg (80.74/1,000) |
|---|---|---|
| Cairns CBD / Cairns City | 1419.52 | +1,658% |
| Portsmith | 1328.03 | +1,544% |
| Cairns North | 437.2 | +441% |
| Manunda | 353.3 | +338% |
| Earlville | 252.14 | +212% |
| Manoora | 220.4 | +173% |
| Woree | 196.8 | +144% |
| Mooroobool | 128.78 | +59% |
| Bentley Park | 107.78 | +34% |
8 Most Dangerous Suburbs in Cairns
Cairns is generally known for its laid-back lifestyle, but crime levels can vary sharply depending on the locality. While many suburbs remain residential and quiet, a few pockets are repeatedly flagged for theft, break-ins, and late-night disturbances, making them some of the most dangerous suburbs in Cairns. Below are 8 areas commonly discussed as unsafe areas in Cairns, especially for students and first-time renters.
1. Cairns CBD (Cairns City)
Crime rate: 1,419.52 crimes per 1,000 residents
Average crimes: +1,658% above national avg
Notable crimes: Theft, Robbery, Motor vehicle theft, Arson, Public nuisance-type offences
Unsafe for: Night walks, solo students, street parking
Cairns CBD is often counted among the dangerous suburbs in Cairns because it has the highest concentration of nightlife spots, short-term stays, and high foot traffic, which creates more opportunities for street-level incidents. Late evenings can feel unpredictable in certain pockets due to public disturbances, theft risks, and isolated lanes around entertainment areas. Students are usually advised to stay alert after dark and avoid walking alone in poorly lit streets.
2. Cairns North
Crime rate: 437.20 crimes per 1,000 residents
Average crimes: +441% above national avg
Notable crimes: Motor vehicle theft, weapons/explosives offences, public nuisance offences
Unsafe for: Late-night walking, students renting near busy strips
Cairns North is often listed among the dangerous areas in Cairns due to repeated reports of opportunistic property-related incidents like break-ins and car theft, especially around busy roads and densely packed residential blocks. Some streets can feel less secure at night because of low lighting and quieter pockets away from main routes, which increases the chance of isolated incidents.
3. Portsmith
Crime rate: 1,328.03 crimes per 1,000 residents
Average crimes: +1,544% above national avg
Notable crimes: Property crime + violent incidents
Unsafe for: Residents/shift workers commuting late, isolated streets
Portsmith is often considered one of the dangerous places in Cairns because it’s an industrial-heavy area with fewer residential eyes on the street, especially after business hours. The low foot traffic at night, isolated road stretches, and limited activity in many pockets can make it more prone to property-related incidents and opportunistic crime.
4. Manunda
Crime rate: 353.30 crimes per 1,000 residents
Average crimes: +338% above national avg
Notable crimes: Theft, assault-related offences, burglary/break & enter
Unsafe for: Student houses with low security, ground-floor units
Manunda is often mentioned among the dangerous neighbourhoods in Cairns because it has several pockets where property-related incidents are more frequent, especially break-ins, car theft, and theft from yards. The area has a mix of older housing and high rental turnover, which can reduce neighbourhood-level security and make some streets feel less predictable at night.
5. Manoora
Crime rate: 220.40 crimes per 1,000 residents
Average crimes: +173% above national avg
Notable crimes: Theft, assault-related offences, burglary/break & enter
Unsafe for: Students with bicycles/vehicles parked outdoors
Manoora is often listed among the unsafe areas in Cairns because certain pockets see frequent opportunistic incidents such as break-ins, theft from vehicles, and property damage. The mix of dense housing, some quieter side streets, and limited street surveillance in parts of the suburb can make it easier for these incidents to occur, especially late evenings.
6. Mooroobool
Crime rate: 128.78 crimes per 1,000 residents
Average crimes: +59% above national avg
Notable crimes: Property crimes + violent crimes recorded
Unsafe for: Student houses without gated parking
Mooroobool is sometimes counted among the dangerous places to live in Cairns because a few pockets report repeated issues with property-related incidents like unlawful entry, car break-ins, and theft. Since parts of the suburb are spread across quieter residential slopes with less foot traffic at night, some streets can feel isolated, which increases the risk of opportunistic crime.
7. Bentley Park
Crime rate: 107.78 crimes per 1,000 residents
Average crimes: +34% above national avg
Notable crimes: Drug dealing/trafficking, motor vehicle theft
Unsafe for: Students commuting late / leaving cars unattended
Bentley Park is sometimes discussed among the dangerous areas to live in Cairns because some pockets experience recurring issues like theft, vehicle break-ins, and anti-social disturbances. The suburb has more quiet stretches and residential lanes, which can make certain areas feel less secure late at night, especially for students living in shared rentals with minimal security.
8. Earlville
Crime rate: 252.14 crimes per 1,000 residents
Average crimes: +212% above national avg
Notable crimes: Violent crime + property crime volumes reported
Unsafe for: Student renters in older units, unsecured garages
Earlville is often included in discussions around Cairns' dangerous areas because some pockets report frequent property-related incidents like break-ins, theft from cars, and occasional public disturbances near busy road corridors. With a mix of older units and high-traffic zones, certain streets can feel less predictable after dark, especially for students walking alone or parking outside overnight.
Other Dangerous Suburbs in Cairns
Even though Cairns has a few well-known hotspots, not all dangerous places in Cairns fall under the same risk bracket. Compared to the most unsafe areas in Cairns, the suburbs below show lower crime intensity overall, but still report occasional break-ins and vehicle-related offences.
| Area | Crime rate (per 1,000 residents) | Crime notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stratford | 67.61 (below national avg 80.74) | Recorded crime sits below the national benchmark, though unlawful entry and vehicle theft can still occur in some pockets. |
| Freshwater | 37.82 | Lower overall crime volume compared to many inner Cairns suburbs; incidents are largely opportunistic theft/property-related. |
| Redlynch | 21.10 property crimes / 4.54 violent crimes | Property crimes form the bulk of incidents, with smaller but present levels of violent crime reported. |
| Edge Hill | Higher unlawful entry vs QLD & national avg | Crime comparisons show higher unlawful entry (break-ins) than Queensland and national averages, with vehicle theft also showing elevated levels. |
Most Dangerous Suburbs in Cairns - Red Zone Suburbs
In Cairns, the “red zone” isn’t only about crime, it’s also about natural risk, especially during the wet season. Some dangerous areas in Cairns are low-lying or close to creeks and coastal inlets, making them more vulnerable to flash flooding, stormwater overflow, and cyclone-related inundation. If you’re renting student accommodation in Cairns, or anywhere in Australia, it’s smart to always cross-check the exact street on Council flood maps before locking a lease.
1. Cairns City / Cairns CBD: The CBD sits close to low-lying catchments and creek systems, so flooding risk increases sharply during extreme rainfall events. The Cairns Regional Council flood mapping highlights parts of inner Cairns as flood-inundation trigger zones in major events.
2. Cairns North: Cairns North is one of the most flood-sensitive inner suburbs, with flood modelling showing inundation-prone zones during 1% AEP (1-in-100-year) events. During cyclone season, residents often face street flooding + access disruption.
3. Portsmith: Portsmith is widely considered one of the highest exposure areas due to its coastal positioning and low elevation. It is frequently included in Council flood and inundation hazard overlay mapping as a risk area.
4. Manunda / Manoora / Mooroobool: These inner suburbs can be impacted by stormwater surcharge and overflow during intense rainfall, with flood-risk documentation referencing multiple suburbs in the Saltwater Creek / Chinaman’s Creek system. These areas are also among the suburbs repeatedly flagged in Cairns risk studies.
5. Earlville & Woree: Suburbs in the inner-south belt can face flash-flooding and drainage overflow issues in extreme rain conditions, especially around low-lying roads. Council flood hazard overlays cover flood and storm-tide trigger zones across this part of Cairns as well.
6. Freshwater / Stratford: Flood models show sections of the Freshwater–Stratford district vulnerable in extreme events. It’s not “always flooding,” but the risk becomes real during high rainfall peaks.
Overall, Cairns is a beautiful place to live and study, but like any city, it has pockets where caution matters. Suburbs such as the CBD, Cairns North, Portsmith, Manunda, Manoora, Mooroobool, Bentley Park, and Earlville are often highlighted as the most dangerous suburbs in Cairns, mainly due to higher reports of theft, break-ins, and late-night disturbances in certain areas. Before choosing accommodation in the dangerous places to live in Cairns, it’s always smart to check the exact street location, avoid isolated routes at night, and prioritise rentals with secure access, lighting, and parking, by checking the safety features on amber.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the red zones in Cairns?
In Cairns, “red zones” usually refer to areas with higher risk during the wet season, especially suburbs that are low-lying or close to creeks/coastal inlets, where flash flooding, stormwater overflow, and cyclone-related inundation can occur. Many renters check flood hazard maps before confirming accommodation in these zones.
Is Cairns a high-crime area?
Cairns has mixed crime levels depending on the suburb. Some inner-city and industrial pockets show high crime density, while several outer residential suburbs record much lower crime rates.
Is crime bad in Cairns?
Crime in Cairns is often described as more property-focused than serious violent crime, with common issues including theft, unlawful entry (break-ins), and vehicle-related offences. The experience can vary heavily by locality and time of day.
Are there any areas to avoid in Cairns at night?
Yes, it’s generally recommended to be cautious in inner-city nightlife zones, isolated streets, and industrial/low-footfall areas at night, especially where there’s limited lighting and fewer people around.
When to avoid Cairns?
The most risk-sensitive time is typically the wet season (roughly November to April) because extreme rainfall and cyclone events can cause flooding and travel disruption. From a lifestyle perspective, late-night hours on weekends can also see more incidents in entertainment districts.
What are the negatives of Cairns?
Key negatives often reported include:
- High humidity and heat for much of the year
- Wet season flooding/cyclone disruptions
- Localised crime hotspots (mainly theft/break-ins)