North Queensland

Cairns The Great Barrier Reef north of Cairns northern beaches: Trinity Beach Kewarra Beach Palm Cove Port Douglas Mossman rainforests far north: Cooktown Thursday Island west of Cairns Atherton tablelands south of Cairns Mission Beach The Whitsunday Islands Region see also: Queensland Climate Tips for travellers wotif.com Tropical North Queensland

Green Island

Tropical north Queensland:

• hot, humid climate all year but esp. humid, wet and cloudy in Summer with risk of tropical cyclones hence Low Season, although the rain itself does not usually interfere with most activities and usually wear light "Summer clothes" such as shorts all year round.
• peak tourism season June-Oct while during the tropical cyclone-prone hot, humid, very wet summer, many local businesses close for holidays elsewhere.
• access usually via the international airport at Cairns which itself does not have any beaches of note.
• Great Barrier Reef
• tropical beaches:
  • warm ocean waters year round but risk of potentially fatal stings from Box Jellyfish which deters most from swimming in beaches in Summer, preferring the resort swimming pools to cool down.
  • sand flies can be a problem on the beach.
• tropical rainforests
• resorts esp. at Port Douglas
• Salt-Water (Estuarine) crocodiles inhabit many of the far north river systems:
  • can be seen in the wild via boat cruises along the Daintree River in Winter when they tend to sunbake on the banks, but during Summer, tend to remain under-water.
  • they are most active in Summer which is their mating and nesting season - a dominant male will usually control 5-10km of river and service all the breeding females in that region while ensuring other males do not encroach his territory.
  • in Winter, they go into semi-hibernation, usually not eating and just laze around.
  • they are opportunistic eaters and usually avoid too much exertion in getting or eating their food & thus prefer to eat fish & crabs rather than large animals that require much jaw work such as cattle or humans, although they will take these if the opportunity avails itself.
  • Do NOT swim in waters inhabited by these crocodiles which may grow to 8m (males) and 3-4m (females).
• the great range of tropical fruit are generally at their peak Dec-Feb, by Winter, local produce is limited. 

Port Douglas Four Mile Beach sunrise rainbow - typical wet start with the south-easterlies bringing showers

Cairns:

• history:
  • Captain James Cook gave the future site of Cairns only a sideways glance when he sailed past in 1770 and it was more than a century before the discovery of gold in the region saw a major settlement established in 1876. Large numbers of fortune-seekers were enticed to leave their homes in Europe, the British Isles, Malaysia and China and head for northern Australia.
  • The allure of gold led to remarkable achievements as men and pack-horses forged supply routes over the steep, forested range to the hinterland. The Barron River also formed part of the transport routes until railways were built to service the goldfields and later, the development of tin, copper and coal mines.
  • Within a decade, mining and the development of the cattle and timber industries were all contributing to a booming economy. Cleared areas on the Tableland and the fertile coastal strip were farmed to provide sugar, rice, vegetables and fruit for local and southern markets, and Cairns became the premier town of the north.
  • property development progressed rapidly in the late 1980's and 1990's following the completion of the International Airport in ~C1984 which was locally funded
  • Cairns is now a popular destination for backpackers
• attractions:
  • The Great Barrier Reef
    • Green Island
  • The Gulf Savannah & the Outback:
    • Located to the west and north of Cairns, this country contains a wealth of fascinating geological and cultural features including the Undara lava tubes, extensive Aboriginal rock art sites, and eco-tourism options. Major events like the Laura Aboriginal Dance and Cultural Festival attract international media attention and are generating a greater appreciation of the very sophisticated culture of Australia’s original inhabitants.
  • the historic Kuranda scenic railway:
    • 34km, 100 minute journey from Cairns to Kuranda on the edge of the Atherton Tableland, passes through 15 tunnels & passes across 30 high bridges on a track created in a tremendous engineering feat between 1882 & 1891. Rises 328m as it chugs through the Barron Gorge National Park, thick with World Heritage-listed rainforest, waterfalls & ravines.
    • departs Cairns twice daily fares cost $50 return or $125 return for a family (can get RACV discounts) with trains leaving Cairns ~8.30am and leave Kuranda ~3.30pm at which time most of the shops close in Kuranda.
  • Skyrail Rainforest Cableway - ~2.5hrs return trip with stops every 45min en route to Kuranda.
  • Cairns Convention Centre
  • Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Theme Park
  • Paradise Palms golf course
  • The Pier marketplace
  • Stageworks
• accommodation:
  • 4-5 star hotels:
    • Cairns International Hotel:
      • colonial architecture, 5 star luxury, close to Reef Casino, private balconies, great views, swimming pools
      • $220/n; 5 min walk to convention centre; 16 story; 
    • Radisson Plaza Hotel:
      • on the wharf; rainforest lobby is complemented by a stunning Great Barrier Reef aquarium;
      • private balconies; swimming pool; near the Lagoon swimming pool
      • $198/n or $222/n with water view; 8 min walk to convention centre;
    • Sofitel Reef Casino:
      • adjoins the 24hr casino; rooftop swimming pool; in-room spa baths;
      • $227-327/n; 5 min walk to convention centre;
    • Inn Cairns Boutique Apartments:
      • $135/n; 5-6 story; salt-water pool; near shops; 7 min walk to convention centre;
    • The Lakes Resort:
      • 2 storey apartment style resort; 3 swimming pools; massage; tennis; near Botanic Gardens; 4km from CBD;
    • Pacific International Hotel:
      • $145/n; 10-11 story; 7 min walk to convention centre; private balconies; pool; opp. casino;
    • Holiday Inn:
      • $145-175/n; 7 story; 10 min walk to convention centre; pool;
    • Il Centro Apartment Suites:
      • $150/n; south-west of CBD 2 min walk to convention centre; close to train station;
      • 38 suites; pool;
    • Oasis Resort:
      • $180/n; ~8 story; 314 rooms; 2 ha tropical gardens, stunning pool with own sandy beach; 12 min walk to convention centre;
    • Outrigger Cairns resort:
      • $190 1br & $280 2br apartments; 6 story; opposite the Lagoon swimming pool; near Oasis Resort;
    • Club Crocodile Hides Hotel:
      • $115/n; 3 star motel style; 
• transport:
  • Cairns International Airport
  • bus:
    • Marlin Coast Sunbus:
      • infrequent (hrly and 2hrly on w/end), often late, sometimes early
      • separate bus routes from Cairns to:
        • Holloways Beach & Yorkey's Knob (ie. it ain't easy to get from Holloway's Beach to Palm Cove by bus)
        • Trinity Beach
        • Palm Cove
  • train

The Great Barrier Reef:

• The largest coral reef system in the world which includes 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands over a distance of more than 2,000 kilometres. It encompasses an area of 350,000 square kilometres – an area greater than the United Kingdom or half the size of Texas – and is recognised internationally as the Seventh Natural Wonder of the World.
• a large number of cruises cater for those wishing to see the Reef by either:
  • glass-bottom  boat (eg. Green Island where you see wide range of corals, small & large fish schools including Bat Fish, sea turtles, etc)
  • semi-submersible boat (eg. Green Island)
  • snorkeling - beginners should try Green Island, good swimmers accompanied by a swimming adult can try the richer, more colourful outer reefs
    • turbulence due to strong winds will not only create more difficult conditions due to waves but increase the turbidity of water
    • consider going early morning before winds pick up.
  • walking the reef in special oxygen helmets (eg. Green Island) - suitable for non-swimmers
  • scuba diving
  • helicopter
• see official website for the Great Barrier Reef 

North of Cairns:

• Holloways Beach:
  • 11km (20min) north of Cairns by bus;
  • small settlement on a beach with a couple of restaurants, a newsagent and a bottle shop
  • accommodation:
    • Sands On The Beach bed and breakfast
• Trinity Beach:
  • located only 15-20 minutes north of Cairns, Trinity beach is a local favourite. With it’s beautiful sweeping coconut palm fringed beach and selection of restaurants and cafes, including one of the finest Italian restaurants in the region
  • taxi from Airport $30, from Cairns CBD $35; local bus to cairns $4; Airport Bus $12.50;
  • accommodation (all have swimming pools, A/C, ceiling fans):
    • Cairns Accommodation.com - good summary with rates of main apartments
    • Trinity on the Esplanade - on the beach; spa baths in superior rooms; $150-170/n on wotif.com
    • Gaia beach house $99/n
    • Amaroo Resort $85/n min. 3 nights on wotif.com
    • Meridien at Trinity apartments opened Feb 2003 with spa baths opp. beach with pool $220/n min. 3 nights; $150/n on wotif.com
    • Trinity Beach Pacific $94-136/n;
    • Trinity Waters 
    • Marlin Gateway $99/n 500m from beach?
    • Castaways Trinity Beach 4104/n 75m from beach
    • Costa Royale $130-160/n 2 bedroom;
    • Quest Marlin Cove Resort $138/n tennis court; gym; sauna;
    • On The Beach Holiday Apartments $155/n or $99/n on wotif.com
    • Sea Change Apartments spa baths; $240/n 2BR;
    • Trinity beach house $99-149/n on wotif.com 
• Kewarra Beach:
  • 20min north of cairns
  • Kewarra beach Resort - $205-429/n on wotif.com incl. return airport transfers; waterfall spa; Kuda Meta swimming pool
  • Paradise Palms Golf Course - world-renown championship golf course
• Palm Cove:
  • tropical beach resort village -expensive
  • Blazing Saddles horse riding
  • Cairns Tropical Zoo
  • Outback Opal Mine
• Port Douglas:
  • tropical beach resort village far north Qld, approx. 68km or 1 hr coastal drive north of Cairns
  • avg. temperatures: Summer (Oct-Apr): 29-33degC & very humid, wet (esp. Dec-Apr); Winter (Apr-Oct): 25-29degC, humid, low rainfall;
  • port allows commercial boats to pick up passengers for snorkelling and scuba diving to the the Great Barrier Reef, including the richest areas near the Continental Shelf such as Agincourt Reef.
  • founded in 1877 as a bustling town gripped by gold rush fever but soon became a sleepy hollow when the gold rush faded, with it becoming a port for the local sugar industry from 1904. Much of the town was devastated by a cyclone in 1911.
  • Marina Mirage retail centre.
  • Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Hartley's Crocodile Adventures (25km south) - wetland boat rides;
  • Flames of the Forest - candlelit dinner amongst the rainforest streams
  • Sky Safari helicopter tours of the reef
  • accommodation:
    • Sheraton Mirage Resort $433/n on wotif.com - golf course
    • Radisson Treetops Resort $150-196/n on wotif.com 
    • Thala Beach Lodge $225-275/n on wotif.com 
    • Rydges Reef Resort
    • Port Douglas Plantation Resort 

Daintree Village - the end of the sealed road.	Mossman Gorge rainforest walk
Port Douglas Four Mile Beach	Port Douglas Four Mile Beach

• Mossman:
  • picturesque town at the foothills is the region's sugar capital.
  • Mossman Gorge is 5min east
  • horseriding on nearby Wonga Beach
  • Sugar Mill
  • Silky Oaks Lodge & Day Spa  20min from Port Douglas, set on the edge of the Daintree N.P. & boasts its Treehouse Restaurant
• Rainforests of north Queensland:
  • World Heritage-listed because of their natural and cultural significance, the Wet Tropics have been described as containing “an almost complete record of the major stages in the evolution of plant life on earth.” At points north of Cairns the rainforest meets the reef in a rare conjunction of two unique natural environments. The northern forests are home to the Casowary
  • Mossman Gorge:
    • 5km from Mossman township, this is a steep-sided valley with crystal clear water of the Mossman River tumbling over smooth granite boulders amongst several types of forest.
    • 2.7km loop easy walking track follows the bank of the river from the car park and passes through tropical rainforest, but the rest of the park is inaccessible except to well-equipped, experienced bushwalkers.
    • the river is used by many to swim as it is very inviting in the clear water amongst the granite boulders but drownings have occurred there.
    • brilliant blue Ulysses butterfly in common & you may see the green & black Cairns birdwing (the female, with no green, is Australia's largest butterfly).
  • Daintree Village
    • a base for the Daintree Rainforest, 38km north of Port Douglas
    • Daintree Mangroves Wildlife Sanctuary
    • Daintree River Cruises:
      • female and young crocodiles usually seen lazing on banks in Winter, but may be hard to find in Summer when they are more aquatic.
      • tree snakes usually easily seen
      • learn of the different trees & plants and how important mangroves are for the environment in providing food sources for plankton, etc.
      • electric boat $20-60pp
      • Bruce Belcher's 1hr crocodile cruise 
      • Nice n Easy Cruises 1.5hr cruises - must book!
    • Billy Tea Bush safaris 
    • Gary's Safaris 
    • Daintree River vehicle ferry - make sure you check times
    • Daintree Discovery Centre - 25m Canopy Tower; 30min drive north of Daintree village & 10km north of the vehicle ferry.
    • Daintree Rainforest River Train
  • Daintree National Park:
    • the Daintree rainforests are the oldest in the world, some 120-200 million years old (the Amazon rainforest is 7 million years old), it is one of the most bio-diverse regions in Australia, and has the most primitive flowering plants in the world. 
  • Cape Tribulation:
    • pristine rainforest beach where coral reefs can be seen where the rainforest reaches the sea.
    • annual rainfall 4500mm (180") !!
    • exotic fruit tasting & farm tour everyday at 4pm, must book!
    • Ferntree and Coconut Beach Rainforest Lodges 
    • the end of the sealed road 30km north of Daintree village - the road north to Cooktown may require 4WD and passes through the towns of Ayton & Helenvale
  • Alexandra Range, Niau Falls
• Cooktown:
  • named after Capt Cook as he repaired his ship The Endeavour there in 1770
  • established in 1873 as a port for the Palmer River goldfields which flourished from 1873-late 1880's.
  • survives as an historic area and district centre
  • 235km north of Cairns but unsealed road in north part
• Thursday Island:
  • Qld's most northerly administrative centre, lying on the tip of Cape York Peninsula in the Torres Strait.
  • a colourful outpost with Europeans in the minority amongst the native islanders, Malays, Polynesians, Chinese & Japanese

West of Cairns:

• Atherton Tablelands:
  • Kuranda: 
    • rainforest cultural village accessible by car, SkyRail, or the historic scenic railway hand-built in 1891 winding up the edge of the Barren River Gorge, through tunnels and over numerous bridges.
    • Kuranda markets open Wed, Th, F & Sat.
    • the many tourist shops & eat-in food places close 3.30pm coinciding with train leaving for Cairns.
    • Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
    • Birdworld - 70 species of free flying birds
    • Kuranda rainforest is only 40,000yrs old.
  • Mareeba:
    • Granite Gorge - pretty little gorge with a weir & lots of wild wallabies to feed, ~$12 per car entry and only ~10min easy drive from Mareeba
    •  

      Granite Gorge

      Granite Gorge

  • Atherton:
    • Platypus Park
    • Lake Tinaroo
    • Lake Barrine
    • Yungaburra
    • Cathedral Fig Tree
    • Mt Hypipamee National Park - great birdwatching
  • accommodation:
    • Allawah Retreat:
      • $390/2n; elevated romantic luxury cabins surrounded by bush with sweeping views & spas;
    • Crater Lakes rainforest cottages:
      • $190/n; 500m from shore of lake Eacham, encircled by rainforest; 10min by car from Yungaburra township;
  • southern aspect (west of Innisfail):
    • Millaa Millaa Falls - the classic northern Qld waterfall surrounded by tropical butterflies
    • Mungalli Falls
  •  

South of Cairns:

• Innisfail:
  • Paronella Park - 40km south-west of Innisfail
  • Australian Sugar Industry Museum 
• Tully:
  • the wettest place in Australia
• Mission Beach:
  • tropical beach
• Dunk Island:
  • tropical resort island
• Hinchinbrook Island National Park:
• The Whitsunday Islands Region