Cairns Base Hospital address, appointments and contact information
People searching for Cairns Base Hospital are generally looking for the public hospital now officially presented by Queensland Health as Cairns Hospital. It is located at 165 The Esplanade, Cairns North QLD 4870.
The hospital is open 24 hours a day. The main hospital phone number is (07) 4226 0000. Specialist outpatient appointments usually start with a GP or healthcare-provider referral.
Cairns North QLD 4870
13 43 25 84
Cairns Hospital address and Google Map
Cairns Hospital
165 The Esplanade
Cairns North QLD 4870
Australia
Postal address: PO Box 902, Cairns North QLD 4870.
Use your appointment letter for the exact clinic, building and entrance. Cairns Hospital is a large campus, and construction work can temporarily change normal access routes.
Check current Cairns Hospital access, parking and transport information .
- Open the official parking and transport page.
- Check the current construction-access notice.
- Confirm whether the Esplanade or Lake Street entrance is best for your appointment.
- Allow extra time for temporary walking-route changes.
How to get a Cairns Hospital outpatient appointment
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service states that outpatient specialist care normally begins with a referral from your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.
- See your GP or treating clinician. They assess whether specialist hospital care is needed.
- Your referral is sent to the hospital. The referral includes the clinical information the specialist clinic needs to assess your case.
- The referral is prioritised. Referrals are categorised according to clinical urgency.
- You may be placed on a waiting list. The clinic assesses whether an appointment is needed and when it should occur.
- The hospital contacts you. Appointment information includes the date, time and clinic location.
- Read the appointment information carefully. Check where to go, what to bring and whether tests or preparation are required.
Read the official outpatient appointment instructions .
- Read the “Getting an appointment” section.
- Confirm that your GP or referrer has sent the referral.
- Check what documents and test results you need to bring.
- If you need an interpreter, arrange it at least two weeks before the appointment where possible.
Changing or cancelling an appointment
Cairns Hospital does not publish one universal cancellation number for every specialist clinic. Use the clinic number on your appointment letter, SMS or clinic correspondence.
If you are unsure which department to call, phone the hospital switchboard on (07) 4226 0000 and ask to be connected to the clinic named on your appointment information.
What to bring to an outpatient appointment
Queensland Health recommends bringing:
- your Medicare card;
- pension or concession card, if applicable;
- your appointment letter;
- relevant test results and reports;
- medical scans such as X-rays, bone scans or ultrasounds where relevant;
- a current list of prescription medicines, vitamins and supplements;
- medicines you may need during the visit; and
- your GP’s current contact details.
Arrive with enough time to find the clinic and check in. Staff may verify your personal details and ask to see your Medicare or concession card.
Cairns Hospital Emergency Department
Cairns Hospital’s Emergency Department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Emergency patients are assessed according to clinical urgency rather than arrival order.
- Call 000 for a life-threatening emergency.
- No routine outpatient referral is required for emergency treatment.
- Tell triage staff if your condition becomes worse while waiting.
- Ask immediately if you need an interpreter.
- Ask for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Hospital Liaison support if required.
For urgent but non-life-threatening health advice, call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84.
Parking at Cairns Hospital
The hospital has a multi-storey public car park in E Block. Vehicle access is from Digger Street. The car park is open 6:00am to 8:00pm daily.
Accessible parking spaces are available around the hospital and within the E Block car park. Patient pick-up and drop-off areas are available near the Lake Street entrance and the main Esplanade entrance.
Current public parking fees
| Parking time | Standard rate | Concession rate |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 30 minutes | Free | Free |
| Up to 1 hour | $4.10 | $2.10 |
| Up to 2 hours | $7.70 | $3.90 |
| Up to 4 hours | $9.60 | $4.80 |
| All day | $11.20 | $5.60 |
These are the official rates listed as at 9 March 2026. Parking rates and access can change, so check the hospital page or onsite signage before relying on a price.
Parking concessions
Discounted parking may be available for eligible concession-card holders, long-stay patients and people who need frequent hospital treatment. Renal dialysis, oncology and radiology patients may also be eligible for special parking arrangements.
Check current parking fees and concession eligibility .
- Open the official parking page.
- Check the listed eligibility criteria.
- Take the required concession or treatment information with you.
- Follow the current instructions for obtaining a concession voucher before paying.
Public transport, taxi and drop-off
A bus stop is located outside Cairns Hospital on Lake Street. A taxi rank is on the Esplanade side of the hospital outside C Block.
Use the Translink journey planner for current bus routes and times.
- Set Cairns Hospital, 165 The Esplanade as your destination.
- Set the time you need to arrive at the clinic.
- Check the Lake Street bus stop connection.
- Allow additional time for current hospital construction and wayfinding.
Cairns Hospital visiting hours
General wards currently use two daily visiting periods: 10:00am-1:00pm and 3:00pm-8:00pm. Different wards can have different visiting arrangements.
| Area | Current listed visiting arrangement |
|---|---|
| General wards | 10am-1pm and 3pm-8pm daily |
| Cancer Care Centre | 8am-5pm daily |
| Emergency Department | Open 24 hours; one visitor per bedside is currently allowed |
| Oncology ward | 10am-1pm and 4pm-8pm daily |
| Mental Health Ward | 10am-8pm daily |
| Special Care Nursery | Parents may visit at any time; additional visitors require parental consent arrangements |
If you cannot visit during the listed hours, speak with the staff in charge of the ward. Alternative arrangements may sometimes be possible.
Services at Cairns Hospital
Cairns Hospital is the largest major hospital in Far North Queensland and provides referral services across a wide regional area.
Queensland Health lists services including:
- Emergency and acute medical care
- Cardiology and cardiac care
- Intensive care
- General and specialist surgery
- Orthopaedics
- Maternity and obstetrics
- Paediatrics and neonatal care
- Oncology and cancer care
- Renal medicine
- Mental health
- Ophthalmology
- Medical imaging and pathology
- Rehabilitation
- Allied health services
A listed service does not mean you can attend without an appointment or referral. Use your referral, appointment letter or hospital service page to confirm the correct pathway.
Interpreter and First Nations support
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service provides free interpreter services 24 hours a day. Interpreters may be provided in person, by video or over the phone.
For a planned outpatient appointment, ask the hospital or clinic to arrange an interpreter at least two weeks before the appointment where possible.
Read the official interpreter service information .
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Hospital Liaison Officers provide cultural support and advice to patients, families and carers. For Cairns Hospital, call (07) 4226 6361.
How to request your Cairns Hospital medical record
Patients can apply for access to their own health information through the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service administrative access process.
Information Access Unit:
Phone: (07) 4226 8683
Email:
ROI-CBH@health.qld.gov.au
Proof of identity is required when requesting personal health information.
Open the official medical-record access page .
- Open the official medical-record page.
- Read the administrative access requirements.
- Complete the current application form.
- Provide the required proof of identity.
- Contact the Information Access Unit if you are unsure what documents are acceptable.
Complaints, compliments and patient feedback
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service recommends first discussing a concern with the staff member responsible for your care or the relevant unit manager where appropriate.
You can also contact Patient Liaison:
Open the official feedback and complaints page .
- Speak with the treating team or unit manager first where appropriate.
- If the concern is unresolved, open the official feedback page.
- Choose the online form, phone, email or written feedback option.
- Include the relevant service, date and a clear explanation of the concern.
Cairns Hospital expansion
Cairns Hospital is undergoing a major expansion. Queensland Health says the program includes new buildings, additional beds, parking and research and innovation spaces, with new services and facilities planned progressively through 2031.
This matters to patients because entrances, pedestrian routes and drop-off areas can change during construction. Check the current hospital parking and access page before important appointments.
Related Queensland hospital guides
Cairns Base Hospital FAQs
Is Cairns Base Hospital now called Cairns Hospital?
Queensland Health’s current official hospital page uses the name Cairns Hospital. “Cairns Base Hospital” remains a commonly used search name for the same public hospital.
What is the address of Cairns Hospital?
Cairns Hospital is located at 165 The Esplanade, Cairns North QLD 4870, Australia.
What is the Cairns Hospital phone number?
The main Cairns Hospital phone number is (07) 4226 0000.
Is Cairns Hospital Emergency Department open 24 hours?
Yes. Cairns Hospital Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day. Call 000 for a life-threatening emergency.
How do I get an outpatient appointment at Cairns Hospital?
The usual first step is a referral from your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional. The clinic assesses the referral, prioritises it according to clinical urgency and contacts you if an appointment is required.
How do I change or cancel an outpatient appointment?
Use the clinic phone number on your appointment letter or SMS. If you do not know which clinic to contact, call Cairns Hospital on (07) 4226 0000 and ask to be transferred.
How much is parking at Cairns Hospital?
The official parking page currently lists up to 30 minutes free, up to 1 hour $4.10, up to 2 hours $7.70, up to 4 hours $9.60 and all-day parking $11.20. Concession rates are available for eligible patients and carers.
What are the general visiting hours at Cairns Hospital?
General ward visiting hours are currently 10am-1pm and 3pm-8pm daily. Individual wards can have different visiting arrangements.
Is public transport available to Cairns Hospital?
Yes. A bus stop is located outside the hospital on Lake Street and a taxi rank is on the Esplanade side outside C Block. Check Translink for current bus routes and times.
Can I get an interpreter at Cairns Hospital?
Yes. Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service provides free interpreter services 24 hours a day. For a planned outpatient visit, request an interpreter at least two weeks before the appointment where possible.