The region known as Tropical North Queensland starts at Tully in the south and extends to Cape York Peninsula in the North. Cairns is the major town for the area and one of the region’s major focal points for water sports enthusiasts, particularly those seeking diving and snorkelling and tours to the Great Barrier Reef.
Adrenalin rush junkies will find white water rafting on offer at Tully, the Barron and Johnstone Rivers. Hot-air ballooning, scuba diving, jet boating, water skiing, sport fishing, sea kayaking and canoeing are all on offer by Cairns tourism operators.
Cairns hotels cater to all tastes and budgets, ranging from budget backpacker to premier luxury. It is advisable to pre-book Cairns tours and activities online, especially for dates in the peak holiday seasons.
Enjoy a scenic flight or take a cruise to some of the Barrier Reef Islands such as Green Island, Dunk Island and/or Fitzroy Island.
Visitors will be delighted with the Kuranda Scenic Railway adventure and the scenic Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. These are both immensely popular tourist attractions. . The worlds largest butterfly sanctuary is located at the Kuranda village. An aboriginal dance theater provides entertainment for visitors.
Take a 4WD tour from the Cape York Peninsula to the famous cattle stations of the Gulf Country and spend one or two weeks getting to know this area. . View the Aboriginal reserves and rock art in the area . Take a visit to the see the Bauxite mining at Weipa, or take a plane or a boat ride to Thursday Island , where you will find fishing or prawning and learn about its past history in the pearling industry. Just north of Cape York lies the Torres Strait island and ideal area for scuba diving, prawning and fishing.
Tiny coves and beaches dot the area north of Cairns , some beaches more well known than others like Trinity Beach, Palm Cove, Yorkeys Knob are all very popular . You will also find , there are several world class golf courses in the area.
From Port Douglas you can discover the wonder of the natural rainforests at the World Heritage listed areas of Cape Tribulation and Daintree. A variety of eco tours and day trips are available on mountain bikes . Bear in mind that “Beware Crocodile” signs are still for real.
Visit the Atherton Tablelands with swimming holes at the Milla Milla falls and at Malanda in the Atherton Tablelandsand , limestone caves at Chillagoe and at Yungaburra you can see the crater lakes.
Take a unique train ride on the Savannahlander from Cairns to Forsayth and back or try the railmotor ride on the Gulflander from Normantown to Croydon and travel through areas of pristine beauty, the vastness of the outback, aboriginal settlements, remote cattle stations and see teeming wildlife.
