Travel to the Daintree Forest, Cairns and Port Douglas
There are more bucket list destinations in Tropical North Queensland than some countries have in their entirety. Few travellers head to Tropical North Queensland without passing through Cairns. The city is welcoming, with a family-friendly swimming lagoon, a beautifully maintained foreshore boardwalk and central marina, where most vessels depart for the Great Barrier Reef. The lesser known is the Daintree Rainforest, one of the oldest, most complex ecosystems on earth. Unusual in that it grows right to the edge of the region’s sandy coastline, the Daintree contains many endemic species including the rare southern cassowary and the curiously named idiot fruit. Discover the many wonders of Tropical North Queensland from your base at Silky Oaks Lodge near the beautiful Mossman Gorge. Alternatively, stay in cosmopolitan Cairns or glamorous Port Douglas, an upscale seaside hamlet an hour north of Cairns.
There are also sprawling cattle ranches such as Mount Mulligan Lodge, several hours inland, where you can appreciate genuine outback hospitality and the majesty of Tropical North Queensland’s vast outback.
- The Great Barrier Reef, the only living thing on Earth visible from space
- Unparalleled snorkelling
- Opportunities for thrilling scenic flights and helicopter trips
- Blinding white sand beaches such as Whitehaven Beach
- The idyllic tropical Whitsunday Islands
- Photogenic Hardy Lagoon and Heart Reef
- Classy holiday retreats on Hamilton, Hayman and Lizard islands
- Sea turtles, giant clams, Maori wrasse and potato cod
- More than 1,500 fish and 400 coral species
- World-famous dive sites such as Cod Hole
Snorkel or dive the teeming Agincourt Reef or admire the Great Barrier Reef’s heft by helicopter. Play a round of golf at Hamilton Island Golf Course, trek up to Passage Peak or sail to flawless Whitehaven Beach, renowned for its pure white sands. Befriend a colossal Maori Wrasse or 150-kilo potato cod at Cod Hole, kayak the azure waters around Shute Harbour or fly over comely Heart Reef.
Most travellers get to the Great Barrier Reef via Cairns, whose airport is serviced by regular flights from all Australian capital cities. From Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, you can fly direct to the Whitsundays’ Hamilton Island Airport, from where you meet an onward road, helicopter or sea plane connection to your Whitsunday island resort.
The mainland attractions of Tropical North Queensland are lesser-known than the Great Barrier Reef, yet equally remarkable. The Daintree Rainforest for instance features crocodile-filled rivers, magnificent gorges and natural curiosities including the rare southern cassowary.
Tropical North Queensland tours & holidays
A personalised itinerary takes into account your individual travel style, budget and special interests. To get you started on deciding what you may want to do and see we have compiled a range of suggested itineraries and inspirations in case you are travelling as a family, on a honeymoon or enjoy more physical activity. Below are some of our most popular sample tour in Queensland.
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