Cairns Bobcat and skid steer hire

Bobcat Hire in Cairns

Check the complete local Bobcat and skid-steer category in one booking view, or call Glen & Jay for practical advice about access, attachments and delivery.

Glen & Jay at Diggermate Cairns

Meet your local business owners

Glen & Jay, your local Cairns owners

Glen and Jay Jessop are now managing Diggermate Cairns, along with two other Diggermate locations—Diggermate Cairns South and Diggermate Atherton Tablelands. These are separate entities but uphold the same friendly service that the Cairns community have grown accustomed to. Additionally, Glen and Jay have expanded their resources by incorporating more assets and machinery, allowing them to distribute them effectively across the group and ensuring a consistent availability of machines for your projects. Diggermate Cairns' current address is at 12 Redden St, Portsmith QLD 4870, Australia.

Local equipment hire

Bobcats and skid steers

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Bobcat hire options in Cairns

Popular local combo deals

Book a local machine combo

These are dedicated local combo products available for online booking in Cairns. Each price shown is the combo product's listed one-day rate.

Local combo deals

Huski Skid Steer Loader + Tipper Truck

This is a dedicated local combo. Open it to choose the combo, confirm dates, inclusions, towing requirements and the final booking total.

AUD $565/dayChoose combo and check dates

Local machine information

Machines available from Diggermate in Cairns

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Other machines in Cairns

Explore more machines and standalone equipment for your job.

1 local options

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Rotary Laser Machine Control (Cairns) available from Diggermate Cairns
Site equipment

Rotary Laser Machine Control (Cairns)

View and book

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Attachments and accessories in Cairns

Find attachments and accessories to suit your job. Confirm compatibility with your chosen machine before booking.

6 local options

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Auger Drive Attachment (Cairns) available from Diggermate Cairns
Attachment or accessory

Auger Drive Attachment (Cairns)

AUD $119/day View and book
Rock Grab (Cairns) available from Diggermate Cairns
Attachment or accessory

Rock Grab (Cairns)

AUD $109/day View and book
Auger Drive Power Head (Cairns) available from Diggermate Cairns
Attachment or accessory

Auger Drive Power Head (Cairns)

AUD $119/day View and book
Trencher (Cairns) available from Diggermate Cairns
Attachment or accessory

Trencher (Cairns)

AUD $119/day View and book

Want to compare the complete Cairns range?

Open the local catalogue to check every active machine, attachment and available date in one booking view.

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Need the job completed?

Want the clearing or material handling done for you?

The main Cairns page explains excavator hire with an operator for suitable loading, clearing and excavation work. Operated work is quoted separately from Bobcat or skid steer dry hire.

See excavator hire with an operator

Skid Steer Service Areas Near Cairns

Cairns, Northern Beaches, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman

Need reliable skid steer hire in Cairns? Diggermate supplies job-ready skid steers (commonly referred to as Bobcats) with flexible hire options and fast local availability across Cairns and surrounding areas, with delivery available to most sites.

Local Skid Steer Hire in Cairns for Construction and Trade Jobs 

Our skid steer hire service in Cairns supports residential, commercial, and civil projects. We work with builders, landscapers, concreters, tradies, and owner-builders who need dependable equipment without delays.

Whether it’s a tight-access residential block or an active construction site, our skid steers are built for real jobsite conditions.

Why Hire a Skid Steer in Cairns

Hiring locally means quicker access, simpler logistics, and machines suited to site conditions in Cairns . You avoid transport delays and get support from a team that understands local jobs. 

Common Jobs Suited to Skid Steer Hire

Skid steer hire is ideal for:

  • Site cuts and bulk earthmoving
  • Landscaping and levelling
  • Concrete prep and base preparation
  • Material loading and transport
  • Demolition clean-up
  • Tight-access site work

Wet hire and dry hire options in Cairns

Dry hire lets you operate the equipment yourself. For excavator hire with an operator in Cairns, ask Glen & Jay to confirm operator availability, the suitable machine and a quote for your job.

Our Skid Steer (Bobcat) Fleet Across Diggermate

Across the Diggermate network, we maintain a modern and versatile fleet of mini loaders designed to suit everything from tight-access residential jobs to heavier commercial site work.

All machines in the fleet are regularly serviced, safety-checked, and ready for real-world site conditions, not just light DIY use.

Skid Steer Brands Available in the Diggermate Network

Across the Diggermate network, our skid steer fleet features trusted industry brands such as Bobcat, Wacker Neuson, Toyota, JCB, New Holland and Huski. Popular models include compact units like the Bobcat S70 for tight-access work, as well as larger machines like the Bobcat S450 and New Holland L313 for heavier site tasks.

With a mix of narrow and full-size skid steers available (generally ranging from around 900mm up to 1,500mm wide), we can match the right machine to your access requirements, lift capacity needs, and site conditions rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution.

Compact & Tight-Access Skid Steers

Smaller units such as the Bobcat S70 and Toyota 4SDK4 are ideal for:

  • Backyard projects
  • Narrow access points
  • Internal or restricted site work
  • Light landscaping and clean-up

Typical features:

  • Narrow widths around 900–915 mm
  • Strong manoeuvrability
  • Suitable for confined areas

Mid-Range All-Rounders

Machines like the Toyota 5SDK5, Wacker Neuson SW10, and Huski 5SDK5 offer a balance of power and access. Common uses include:

  • Base preparation
  • Material loading
  • Retaining wall prep
  • General site works

Expect:

  • Widths around 1,250 mm
  • Improved lift capacity
  • Greater stability

Larger & High-Capacity Skid Steers

Models such as the Bobcat S450, JCB 135W, and New Holland L313 are suited to:

  • Bulk material handling
  • Commercial landscaping
  • Larger civil projects
  • Heavier lifting tasks

These machines typically provide:

  • Wider stance for stability
  • Higher lift capacity
  • Increased hydraulic performance

Attachments Available

Most Diggermate skid steers can be paired with practical attachments, including:

  • General purpose buckets
  • 4-in-1 buckets
  • Pallet forks
  • Augers
  • Grapples
  • Site preparation attachments

This flexibility allows one machine to complete multiple tasks, reducing downtime and machine changeovers.

Choosing the Right Skid Steer

To select the right skid steer, consider:

  • Site access width
  • Ground conditions
  • Load capacity requirements
  • Attachment needs

Your local Diggermate team can recommend the best setup for your job, ensuring you get the right machine without overpaying for unnecessary capacity.

Skid Steer Hire Rates and Availability in Cairns

Skid steer hire starts from $279, with:

  • Daily hire options
  • Weekly and extended hire discounts
  • Flexible scheduling

For the most accurate pricing and availability, check directly with your local Diggermate, as fleet options and rates may vary between locations.

What’s included in your Skid Steer Hire 

Every hire includes: 

  • Fully serviced equipment
  • Pre-hire safety checks
  • Local support if issues arise 

Do I Need a Special Licence to Drive a Bobcat or Skid Steer in Cairns?

For Bobcat or skid steer hire in Cairns, you generally do not need a special licence if you have the experience to operate the machine safely. These machines are commonly used by tradies and experienced operators across Cairns for landscaping, construction, and site preparation work.

If you prefer not to operate the machine yourself, some Diggermate locations may offer skid steer hire with an operator, meaning no licence or operating experience is required from you.

Fast availability across Cairns and nearby areas 

We provide fast delivery and pickup across Cairns, Northern Beaches, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman, helping you keep your project moving without downtime.

Why Choose Diggermate for Skid Steer Hire in Cairns

Diggermate focuses on reliable equipment, practical advice, and responsive local service for every hire. 

Well-maintained, job-ready machines 

Our machines are inspected and serviced between hires to reduce breakdown risk and keep your job on track. 

Local knowledge and fast turnaround 

We understand local access limits, site constraints, and scheduling pressures in Cairns, allowing us to respond quickly. 

Trusted by builders, tradies, and contractors 

Builders and contractors across Cairns rely on Diggermate for repeat hire due to consistent service and dependable machines.

Book Bobcat or Skid Steer Hire in Cairns Today 

Ready to book bobcat hire in Cairns? Contact Diggermate Cairns today to check availability or request a quote for your job.

Bobcat Hire FAQs for Cairns

For Bobcat hire in Cairns, you generally do not need a licence for dry hire if you already have experience operating skid steer loaders safely. Many tradies and experienced DIY users across Cairns, Northern Beaches, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman operate these machines on job sites. If you prefer, some Diggermate locations may offer Bobcat hire with an operator, meaning no licence or experience is required from you.

The right Bobcat size depends on site access, ground conditions, and the type of work you’re doing in Cairns or nearby areas such as Northern Beaches, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman. Smaller skid steers work well in tight residential access areas, while larger machines provide more lifting capacity and hydraulic power for commercial or heavier construction jobs. If you’re unsure, your local Diggermate can help recommend the best machine.

Yes. Delivery and pickup options are usually available across Cairns and surrounding areas including Northern Beaches, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman, depending on the machine and local setup. Delivery can save you time and remove the need to organise trailers or transport yourself. Contact your local Diggermate to confirm delivery availability.

Yes, weekend Bobcat hire is commonly available in Cairns, subject to machine availability. Many customers across Cairns, Northern Beaches, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman book machines for weekend landscaping, site prep, or construction projects. Multi-day or extended hire rates may provide better value than booking separate daily hires, so it’s recommended to secure weekend bookings in advance.

Bobcat and skid steer machines hired in Cairns can often be fitted with useful attachments such as general purpose buckets, pallet forks, augers, and site-prep attachments. Attachment availability may vary across Cairns, Northern Beaches, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman, so it’s best to confirm what attachments are available when booking your machine.

Skid steer hires in Cairns start with a minimum one-day hire period. Weekly and longer-term hires are also available and often provide better value compared to booking individual daily hires. If your project across Cairns, Northern Beaches, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman requires the machine for longer, extended hire options may be available.

Yes. Bobcats hired in Cairns are typically supplied with fuel at the start of the hire and should be returned with the same fuel level. If the machine is returned with less fuel, a refuelling charge may apply. Your local Diggermate servicing Cairns, Northern Beaches, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman can confirm the fuel requirements when booking.

Bookings in Cairns are 100% refundable up to 1 hour before the scheduled pickup time. If the weather changes or your job across Cairns, Northern Beaches, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman needs to be postponed, simply call or text your local Diggermate operator before collection.

Once the machine has been picked up or delivered, the hire is active and the full hire fee applies. If you take the machine, you pay for it. If you don’t take it, you don’t pay for it.

Yes. Many customers in Cairns and nearby areas such as Northern Beaches, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman hire a skid steer together with a mini excavator to complete jobs more efficiently. The excavator handles digging while the skid steer moves and loads material, helping speed up site preparation, landscaping, and construction projects.

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