Returning your rental car.
Head to our Cairns City branch and park your rental car in the designated parking area. Drop your keys off at the counter and you’re good to go. Easy-peezy!
After hours pick-up.
Call (07) 4249 3331 (branch direct) or 1300 668 810 (toll-free number) to discuss after-hours pick-up with our Cairns City team. We’ll do our best to get you safely on the road.
After hours drop-off.
Unfortunately, we do not accept after-hours drop-offs at Redspot Cairns City. Please return your vehicle the next business day, or to our Redspot Cairns Airport branch (an 11-minute drive north of the Cairns City office).
One-way car hires.
Want to keep the good times rolling? Redspot offers one-way car hires (aka vehicle relocation) depending on availability. Reach out to our Cairns City team by phone or email to discuss!
A Track Record of Satisfied Customers in Australia
With over 35 years of homegrown Aussie experience, Redspot knows how to navigate a smooth ride! Check out why our customers love driving with us, season after season:
Load up with Redspot’s red-hot value packages!
We’ve got your back with 24/7 roadside assistance so you never have to worry about being stranded. For an even smoother car rental experience, we have designed three packages for damage and liability coverage and extra services!
Package prices will be calculated based on the rental period and the vehicle you select. Proceed to the car rental booking page for a quote.
Standard Package
Need something a little more simple but with all the expert local support? Redspot’s Standard Package might be for you. This includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $5,200 to $6,200 damage liability excess*
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Additional drivers fee
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Super Package
More cover, less cost. Redspot’s Super Package gives you reduced damage liability and extra perks—perfect if you want more peace of mind without going all-out. This includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $1,950 to $2,750 damage liability excess*
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Executive Package
This iconic Redspot package stands strong as the first all-inclusive car rental product in Australia! Designed with peace-of-mind built-in, our good value car rental package includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $0 standard liability excess*
- Additional windshield and headlight cover
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Terminology Key.
Let us break down our package terms so you know exactly what may appear on your invoice:
*Damage liability excess: ‘Amount reduced by’ is dependent on the vehicle type and hire itinerary selected. See our Car Rental Cover page for more information.
**Contract fee: We have a small surcharge to cover our costs to draw up our rental agreement with you.
***Premium location fee: Sometimes a premium airport or downtown location will charge us an additional surcharge for each rental and we are upfront about this cost in your package! The price will depend on the location selected.
****Registration recovery fee: We pay a surcharge to cover our vehicle registration and compulsory third-party insurance costs and we highlight this clearly in your package breakdown.
At Redspot, we believe in straight-up honesty! Just so you’re in the loop, all the nitty-gritty on damage liability and extra charges can be found in our terms and conditions.
The Power of Partnerships.
Redspot are proud to partner with Sunshine Coast Lightning. We share a passion for high performance, community spirit, and supporting women in sport.
Redspot are a trusted supplier of car rental services to NSW Government agencies. We’re proud to support essential services across the state and beyond.
Redspot are proud to sponsor Melbourne Storm. We share a strong devotion to Australian families, grassroots sport, and community values.
Redspot Driver Facts.
Share the ride with additional drivers:
We can easily add additional drivers to your car rental booking. The driver will need to show their full valid driver’s licence in any branch and provide a credit card for a daily surcharge. Too easy!
Rev-Up for Young Drivers:
We are one of the few car rental companies to have a minimum driver age of 21!
Note that drivers under 25 will pay a daily surcharge on their car rental fee. Car hire is limited to small to medium-sized sedans and hatchbacks.
Don’t sweat the paperwork:
If you are a first-time renter, all we need is one (1) document with your address on it. Returning customers, all you need to bring for collection is your valid driver’s licence and credit card. If it’s your first time renting locally, you’ll also need to bring a third form of identification like a current utility bill. We will take care of the rest!
Overseas visitors welcome:
Explore every Aussie hotspot with Redspot! Temporary overseas visitors can hire a car with:
- A full valid driver’s licence and passport
- Licences must have photo identification
- If the licence is not in English then you will need an official translated document from your embassy or road traffic authority in your home country
- Some countries may need to apply for an international driver’s permit
Family-friendly car hire:
Redspot is a family-run business and selects modern SUVs, sedans and people carriers for family comfort. With a range of baby, child and booster seats available to hire, the little ones don’t miss out.
Credit Card Condition:
Cover your back and ours. All rental cars require a credit card at pick-up for a pre-authorisation.
Fuel Flexibility:
Pre-pay, post-pay or refuel your rental car yourself. Redspot makes it easy to keep a full tank for an Australian adventure.
Local P-Platers and Full Licences:
Redspot Car Rentals gives P-platers the green light – one of the few Aussie companies that do! Our safety rules include:
- You must hold a Provisional P2 driver’s licence (green Ps).
- Your full driver’s licence must be valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.
Maximum age is no barrier:
With Redspot, age is just a number! There is no maximum age to hit the road.
Toll-road Tricks:
Buy peace of mind with a Redspot toll road waiver and say goodbye to unexpected charges.
Meet Our Fleet.
Gear up for fun in Queensland’s adventure capital, your Redspot ride can handle it all! Discover your ideal set of wheels while in Cairns, with our fleet ranging from hatchbacks to minivans and SUVs:
Redspot: Where every rental is spot-on.
Fully Aussie-owned and operated
Founded, owned and operated by local Aussie family for over 35 years!
Personalised care
Our small, dedicated teams in over 40 spots around Australia are here to help out wherever the road takes you.
Amazing value
Get the most bang for your buck with our all-inclusive packages and customisable options in between.
No hidden costs
All taxes and GST with no extra fees are included in our rates.
24/7 roadside assistance
All our rental cars are covered by 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do you need a hire car for Cairns?
While public transport is available in Cairns, why not take your adventures by the wheel on your own time? Hiring a rental car gives you the flexibility to go wherever you want, whenever you want.
From the Daintree Rainforest to the Atherton Tablelands, Cairns’ natural beauty is at your fingertips. Not to mention, hiring a car allows you to experience some of the country’s most stunning scenic drives on your own schedule!
How much does car hire cost Cairns?
Long story short, it depends. You can check out Redspot’s red-hot deals like our Mystery Vehicles offer for affordable rentals as a starting point for car hire in Cairns.
Can I rent a car in Australia as a tourist?
Yes, absolutely! Tourists are more than welcome to rent a car in Australia to explore our beautiful country. Temporary visitors can show their valid overseas driver’s licence and passport to rent vehicles from Redspot.
If you’re loving your time here and stay in Australia for longer than 3 months, that’s when you’ll need to transition to a local driver’s licence. This depends on the state or territory you’re travelling in, so check in with our friendly Sunshine Coast team for local advice.
Note: Make sure to bring a physical driver’s licence to the kiosk. E-licenses or passports are not accepted as valid documents.
If your licence is not in English, we’ll need a translated version from your embassy or traffic authority in your home country. For more information, see our complete guide to renting a vehicle with an overseas licence.
What are the rules for renting a car in Australia?
Renting a car in Australia requires that you:
- Be over 21 years old.
- Present a valid credit/debit card OR purchase order OR prepaid voucher in the renter’s name.
- Present a valid, physical driver’s licence in the renter’s name. Note: Digital licences, photos or copies are not accepted.
- Present valid driver’s licence/s for any additional drivers, who must be present at the time of vehicle pick-up.
If you are an international visitor, you must also present your physical passport and valid full driver’s licence at vehicle pick-up. Please bring a translated version of your driver’s licence if it is not in English.
Explore Cairns with Redspot
The tropical city of Cairns marks the gateway to Far North Queensland, Australia’s beloved adventure capital. From island hopping to rainforest trekking, there are countless natural wonders for you to explore. Here are a few of our must-go spots to add to your Queensland bucket list!
Great Barrier Reef
Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef is one of the largest living structures on earth, teeming with incredibly diverse marine life. Discover the beauty of this World Heritage-listed wonder with almost 3,000 individual coral reefs that hundreds of species of fish, sharks, turtles and more call home.
Daintree Rainforest
Just under a 2.5-hour drive from Cairns lies the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest continuously surviving rainforest in the world. From waterfalls, ancient forest canopies and countless wildlife species unique to this lush paradise, the Daintree is an unmissable destination for any nature lover.
Palm Cove
A 30-minute drive from Cairns leads you to Palm Cove, a picturesque village on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef. Base yourself here for convenient day trips to the reefs, the Daintree and more! After sightseeing, wind down with the town’s relaxed pace, stunning vistas and fresh seafood dining.
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Drive 40 minutes north of Cairns to Kuranda Scenic Railway, one of the most photographed railways in Australia. Built in 1891, the line runs over the Great Dividing Range from Cairns to Kuranda. Spot breathtaking waterfalls, gorges and some seriously unmissable rainforest views along the ride!
Red-hot Cairns tips from our local staff!
Cairns City Car Rental – Kickstart Your Adventure
Hit the road tropical style with Redspot Cairns! We’ve got vehicles for any occasion, whether you’re shifting gears between travel, business or everyday errands. Our Cairns branch is in the heart of the city centre, making it quick and simple to pick up or drop off your car rentals.
Worried about breaking down? Redspot’s 24/7 roadside assistance means you never have to go it alone! We’ve got you covered on any Aussie road.
Plus, our family-run local expertise and toll-waiving options mean we’ll have you navigating through coastal towns and hinterlands like a pro.
Get in touch with one of our friendly faces to see how Redspot can accelerate your Cairns adventures today.
