The Reef Hotel Casino

The Reef Hotel Casino is located on Wharf Street in Cairns, just a stone’s throw from the Coral Sea and is a pearl of a complex. Promoted as “Australia’s first boutique casino” the Reef certainly catches the eye, and with four restaurants and four bars, along with top quality accommodation options, it won’t disappoint. Open from 9am to 3am from Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5am on Friday and Saturday, the casino only closes for Good Friday and Christmas Day, and opens late (at 1pm) Anzac Day. With valet and private parking options (indoor and outdoor) and easily accessible by road or public transport, it is a great place to visit.

With more than 500 gaming machines and all the table games you would expect, there are loads of options when it comes to the games themselves. Alongside the traditional table games – blackjack, baccarat and roulette – Reef also have a number of newer options such as Sic-Bo, Paradise Pontoon and the Money Wheel. They also have Texas hold ‘em poker with buy-ins ranging from $50-$500. They also have a number of promotions which give customers the chance to win prizes of cash or cars or other goodies.

Trying to win a pocketful of dollars can be thirst-inducing work, but luckily the bar options are sure to hit the spot. The Flinders Bar & Grill is great for a light snack and cold one, while the Lihou Bar and Osprey Bar are good alternatives whether you want a coffee or a glass of wine. The Vertigo Cocktail Bar & Lounge, meanwhile, is a fine place to hang out whether you’re planning to venture into the casino or not. With live music from Thursday to Saturday and karaoke on Sundays, among much more in the way of entertainment, Vertigo is the place to be in Cairns.

The hotel has 128 rooms, many of which are very well appointed with Jacuzzi-style spa baths, private garden balconies and some with great sea views. It also boasts a high quality rooftop swimming pool and spa, a sauna and gymnasium, a concierge service and tour desk, and even their Wildlife Dome. Of the restaurants, their signature Tamarind is the best, serving contemporary fusion of Asian and western cuisine in a formal but relaxed setting.