On the Trail of Inspiration
Where to experience the best Tropical North Queensland has to offer… from wallowing under a waterfall to taking the plunge on the Great Barrier Reef.

10 relaxing ways to sleep in the rainforest
This summer, swap your inner city stresses for cool, rainforest rejuvenation, checking into one of these accommodation providers in the rainforest.

The Ultimate ‘Only in Tropical North Queensland’ guide
It might be a well-known fact that Tropical North Queensland is the only place in the world where two natural World Heritage sites collide, but there’s more first and only’s to this destination than its reef and rainforest.

20 waterfalls near Cairns
Mighty mountain ranges and Wet Tropics Rainforest create the optimum environment for a myriad of extraordinary waterfalls. Fall in love with these 20 waterfall wonderlands only a short drive from Cairns.

Everything you need to know about cassowaries
There’s plenty of reasons to visit Cairns & Great Barrier Reef in summer – balmy weather, crystal clear reef visibility and pumping waterfalls – but what you might not know is it’s also the best time of year to spot Australia’s living dinosaurs and their chicks, cassowaries.

Incredible hikes you need to conquer near Cairns
Surrounded by national parks, World Heritage rainforest and the Great Dividing Range, find countless bush walks or hikes within a short distance of Cairns.

Everything you need to know about Master Reef Guides
Anyone who’s ever done an organised tour will know the host or tour guide can make or break the experience. That’s why it pays to book a Great Barrier Reef tour with one of the Master Reef Guides, the official ambassadors of the world’s most famous reef.

Ways you can help the Great Barrier Reef
There’s a sense of responsibility that comes when you’re visiting one of the world’s seven wonders; a calling to nurture nature.

The Ultimate ‘Only in Tropical North Queensland’ guide
It might be a well-known fact that Tropical North Queensland is the only place in the world where two natural World Heritage sites collide, but there’s more first and only’s to this destination than its reef and rainforest.

Why you should visit the tropics in summer
From cosy rainforest retreats to once-in-a-lifetime Great Barrier Reef reef events, epic waterfalls to spectacular outback scenery, this is why you should put the green light on your summer holiday.

Choose your own Tropical North Queensland adventure
With the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and World-Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef on its doorstep, it’s easy to see why Cairns is dubbed the adventure capital of Australia.

12 things you didn’t know about Paronella Park
Riddle us this – where can you find a tourism attraction that’s eco-certified, heritage-listed, completely carbon neutral and just one-and-a-half hours’ drive from Cairns CBD? The middle of Mena Creek, home to Paronella Park.

Unlock the secrets of the rainforest with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Discover the history of this ancient rainforest with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which glides across the top of this World Heritage-listed wonder, 364 days of the year.

Things to do in Port Douglas
Don’t let its flop and drop reputation fool you, there are many things to do in Port Douglas. From hunting with Traditional Owners & exploring the Great Barrier Reef, to river floats & wildlife parks. Here’s how to spend your time in Port Douglas.

Stop what you’re doing, there’s a group of islands you’ve never heard about: Frankland Islands
Looking for an eco-certified river, reef and rainforest adventure in Tropical North Queensland? Think Frankland Islands.

Beneath the Milkyway with Aboriginal Traditional Custodians
Moungibi (Burketown), a small town in the Gulf of Carpentaria with a population of fewer than 300 people, may surprise you with its depth of experiences – Indigenous-owned & operated Yagurli Tours offers a collection of tours run by the Gangalidda-Garawa Traditional Custodians.

Luxury places to rest your head
Escape to luxe island hideaways, indulgent outback retreats or tranquil ancient rainforests. Kick off your shoes, take some much needed R&R and discover the unique landscape of Tropical North Queensland.

15 ways to connect with Indigenous culture
Tropical North Queensland is the only region in Australia with two distinct Indigenous cultures, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Connect with these ancient cultures 60,000 years in the making.

Eat your way through these Palm Cove Restaurants
Taste the flavours of the north in the seaside village of Palm Cove, where restaurants take pride in local produce, fresh flavours and providing a warm tropical welcome served with an icy-cold drink.

Vlasoff Cay: the most incredible place to picnic
Feel grounded the moment you arrive at a private sand cay on the Great Barrier Reef.
Explore
Tropical North Queensland
Eleven distinct destinations, hundreds of places to see, endless experiences to relish. Where to begin your tropical journey of discovery.

Gulf Savannah & Outback
The outback meets the sea in this remote region stretching across the Gulf of Carpentaria. Marvel at ancient geological wonders, try your luck fossicking for gold, buy fresh prawns straight from the trawler and swap stories with local characters.

Torres Strait Islands
Off Australia’s northern tip, the islands of the Torres Strait are a world unto themselves. Few travellers experience the unique melting pot of Aboriginal and Melanesian cultures, waters teeming with dugongs and dolphins, and hidden relics of Australia’s military past.

Cooktown and Cape York
Getting to the edge of Australia is an adventure you will never forget. Tackle rugged dirt roads and raging rivers, explore 27 national parks, meet the locals in historic Cooktown and immerse yourself in Australia’s most fascinating Indigenous dance festival.

Atherton Tablelands
Tropical North Queensland’s not all about the coast. Head inland to the Atherton Tablelands and discover a lush green world dotted with waterfalls, swimming holes, farm gates, food and wine trails, and some of the best coffee in the country.

Kuranda
Tourists have been flocking to the quirky village of Kuranda for more than 100 years. Wind through the mountains in a historic train, fall in love with the vibrant arts community and feel the spray of Queensland’s most famous waterfall.

Port Douglas
Barefoot luxury is the order of the day in this charming holiday town set between rainforest and reef. Iconic beach resorts and award-winning golf courses rub shoulders with stylish boutiques, alfresco restaurants, trendy craft breweries and bustling markets.

Daintree and Cape Tribulation
Discover a place where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites meet. The 180-million-year-old Wet Tropics Rainforest tumbles down to the coast at Cape Tribulation, right on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Head into the jungle for the digital detox of a lifetime.

Palm Cove
Luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants, breezy beach bars and indulgent spas await in Tropical North Queensland’s most glamorous enclave. Kayak off the beach, fish from the jetty or kick back with a cocktail by the pool. Even your dog is welcome.

Cairns and Northern Beaches
The perfect jumping-off point for your Tropical North Queensland adventure. Cairns is a vibrant city with a laid-back, outdoor lifestyle and is set right in between two natural wonders – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest.

Mission Beach and The Cassowary Coast
An undiscovered gem of Tropical North Queensland and the closest point to the Great Barrier Reef. This sleepy stretch of coast has it all – verdant rainforest, deserted beaches, uninhabited islands, bubbling waterholes and welcoming locals – including fascinating cassowaries.
Explore the region
Where to stay, what to see and what to catch while you’re in Tropical North Queensland.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR
What happens when your pet rock has a birthday? 🤔 It gets a year boulder 😝🪨 Okay, that wasn't a great joke, I hope we’re not off to a rocky start already 🤭 If you weren't already aware, @tropicalnorthqueensland is home to some...

The @athertontablelands is a landscape carved by ancient volcanoes 🌋 Some places like #LakeEacham or #LakeBarrine are more famous for their volcanic past, but the basalt columns of many of the waterfalls like #MungalliFalls are evidence of this as...

There’s something special happening in the Undara Lava Tubes ✨🤔 Thanks to recent rainfall, you can actually go swimming in the tubes which have filled up for the first time since 2011! ☀️☔️ Did you know that this ‘flooding’ ...

What’s to love about the rainforest at this time of year? 🤔 Everything! 🙌 With the warm summer rains comes abundant wildlife & lush green rainforest 😍🦋 Now is the time to start exploring 🌿✨
📸 @jacintapink ...

Discover fifty shades of blue as you explore an ancient volcanic crater lake on the @athertontablelands 💙🌊 From turtle spotting to scuba-diving, rainforest walks to floating away from your busy schedule🌿✨ #LakeEacham is the place to be ...

What’s more majestic? A bird gliding through the air, or an eagle ray swimming through the ocean? 🌊🦅 How about a ray gliding through the sky? 😲 Eagle rays are extremely good swimmers & are able to leap several metres above the water ...

There’s no denying that sunrises on the @athertontablelands are impressive 🌅 But watching the golden morning glow from the top of #WindinFalls certainly takes the cake 😍☀️ If you’re in #Cairns & want to be up early enough to catch ...

Is that a painting? 🎨 Nope, just some stunning water lilies at #LakeBarrine on the @athertontablelands 🌸 That’s not the only thing you’ll discover here! 🌿✨ Once an active volcano some 17,000 years ago, you can now explore underwater ...

I spy with my little eye, something small & fluffy 🐦 @phlipvids spotted Elvis the cassowary with one of his adorable chicks while onboard a cruise with @kuranda_riverboat 🌴🐢
Did you know 😲 The southern cassowary is one of the...

We’ll never tire of the glorious waterfalls on the @athertontablelands, like #MillaaMillaaFalls 📍🌳 Nestled in tropical rainforest, this pristine waterfall is the perfect spot for a dip on a hot summers day ☀️🍃 We’re feeling a hair ...

Turtley epic reef trips you say? 🐢🤿 We've got you covered 🌊☀️ There's so much to love about the @gbrmarinepark, you probably won't be able to do it all in one go 🐚✨ No wonder @haylsa went 3 times 😉 Maybe ...

Filled with nothing but tropical rainforests, white sandy beaches & magnificent coral reef, #SnapperIsland truly is a treat for the eyes 😍🌿 Popular with twitchers, kayakers & campers, this stunning island is also part of the traditional...

Knock knock ✊ Who’s there? Kanga. Kanga who? 🤔 No, kangaroo 🦘 Say hello to the unique kangaroos of the @wettropicsworldheritage 🌿🌱 Endemic to @tropicalnorthqueensland, the musky rat-kangaroo is the smallest & most primitive ...

Moody train rides & spectacular views of the Kuranda Range on board #KurandaScenicRailway 🌿✨ Discover the natural beauty of the @wettropicsworldheritage rainforest as you hop aboard one of the most picturesque railways in @australia 🚞 ...

We’re pretty sure this is a scene out of Finding Nemo ⛵️🐢 These little guys were spotted in abundance on a cruise with @wavelengthreefcruises & boy do they make it feel like a whole other world below the surface ✨🌊
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With the first rains of the season comes some incredible waterfalls for you to discover & the @athertontablelands is just the place to start ☔️💙 To find this stunning waterfall, head towards the tiny town of #MillaaMillaa & follow ...

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Imogen, now downgraded to a low-pressure system, is currently bringing heavy rainfall across much of Tropical North Queensland ⛈ These rains are an essential part of the tropical weather cycle & play a vital role in the ...

The summer rains are upon us & #BarronFalls (Djabugay: Din Din) is flowing! 🌧🥰 Over the next few months, the volumetric flow rate of water over the gorge may reach almost 265,000-megalitres in a day, compared to drier times of the year ...

They don't call it #EmeraldCreekFalls for nothing 💚🌿 Some even say this is one of the most instagrammable locations around & it's not hard to see why 😍🌺
📸 @sarahjanegriffiths #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR ...

Everybody stay palm! 2021 has arrived 🌴 May your year be filled with good health, fun times, amazing places & maybe even some new fronds 😋 Most importantly, don't forget your coastal distancing. Good thing @tropicalnorthqueensland is...
