You will think you have arrived in another world when you visit Tropical North Queensland. You can slow down and relax, enjoy simple pleasures and encounter exquisite natural beauty where ancient rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. Experience one of the most heavenly places on earth as you explore the hamlet of Port Douglas, your departure point for cruises, snorkelling and diving on the breath-taking reef. The Beaches of North Queensland feature pristine areas such as Palm Cove and Trinity Beach and a visit to this tropical paradise is not complete without exploring the city centre and marina of Cairns. There is a multitude of activities and attractions to entertain, including Quicksilver Reef Cruises, Skyrail, Tjapukai, Kuranda and of course, crocodiles!
Cairns is a modern tropical city with a relaxed atmosphere and is the primary gateway to Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region.
Located by the sea it boasts a good balance of laid back lifestyle and the excitement of a major tourist destination with lots to see and do. There is a magnificent Marina and market area and the city offers an excellent range of shopping, dining, nightclubs and bars.
It is an easy city to spend a casual day or two exploring. Many people use Cairns as their base to branch out and explore the rest of North Queensland, including the majestic Atherton Tablelands and the famous village of Kuranda.
There is no shortage of things to see and do in Kuranda, including their renowned markets, the Aviary and world famous Butterfly Sanctuary plus interesting shops to buy local arts and crafts and items such as opals and Aboriginal artefacts.
Getting there is half the fun.
There are a number of options available, most include a combination of going up on the Kuranda train and returning on the Skyrail cablecar (or the other way around). Both forms of transport are good fun and give a different perspective on the journey. It is possible to go up and come down on the same operation. The Skyrail has won a number of major tourism awards and in reality they are well deserved. It is a truly unique experience.
A visit to the Barron Gorge lookout, especially after heavy rain, is spectacular.
Cairns Northern Beaches are a collection of beachside suburbs that stretch over 20km along the coast north of Cairns.
The Northern Beaches, such as Palm Cove and Trinity Beach are all very tropical, lined with palm trees and plenty of shaded and grassy areas for picnics and barbecues. There are also swimming enclosures at most of the beaches.
In the last few years the Northern Beaches have become very popular as they offer an excellent range of holiday accommodation and a number of restaurants and cafes along with world class golf courses.
The Northern Beaches are particularly popular for family holidays.
Port Douglas is one of the few places in the world that people instantly fall in love with. It is hard not to be impressed with this panoramic seaside village where you can find rusty old prawn trawlers side by side with multi million dollar cruising yachts. Everyone is relaxed, there are plenty of great restaurants with alfresco dining and there is as much or as little to do as you wish for the perfect tropical holiday.
Port Douglas is a great place to simply wander, read a book and relax. However, there is also plenty to do, especially with water based activities including reef trips, snorkelling, diving, fishing and paragliding. Quicksilver lets you explore the reef lagoons and coral cays of Agincourt Reef and Low Isles.
Low Isles is a beautiful island just off the coast. A day trip to Low Isles, or the Great Barrier Reef is essential.
Port Douglas is the stepping off point to head further north to the tranquil townships of Mossman and Daintree and on to Cape Tribulation, featuring spectacular rainforest and breathtaking gorges.
