8 mini road trips in Tropical North Queensland

Head to the hills to discover the Atherton Tablelands, whose rolling green hills are ready for a different type of adventure every day

If ever the statement “so much to do, so little time” rang true of a destination, Cairns would be it. With the Great Barrier Reef in its front yard and the Wet Tropics rainforest out the back, aside from your bathers, time is the best thing you can pack for a visit to Tropical North Queensland. If it’s your first time in the North Queensland capital, start with these 16 things to do in Cairns.

With over 2,300km of reefs, sand cays and islands to explore, extend your reef experience from one night to up to one week with a liveaboard diving trip.

Want to make the most of your time in the tropics? Ramp up your October by catching one of these fantastic events.

From swimming in wild waterfalls, to exploring hidden coves and outback tracks, it’s time to hit the road to enjoy the adventure of a lifetime on these road trips from Cairns.

From exploring outback caves to diving deep into local Indigenous culture, there’s endless opportunities for adventure in Tropical North Queensland.

Take nothing but photographs, leave only footprints and help give back to the unique environment of Tropical North Queensland with these experiences and causes.

Travel in Tropical North Queensland can be transformative. As you experience natural wonders and iconic adventures, you will be left with a feeling that stays with you long after you leave the tropics. Don’t miss these incredible experiences in Tropical North Queensland.

A big part of travelling is finding the perfect spot to have a cold drink at the end of a day adventuring. Here’s where to quench your thirst in Cairns, whether your a cocktail connoisseur, beer buff, gin junkie or simply love a glass of wine with a view.

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.

If your ideal holiday involves roaming from providore to providore, seeing 400-million-year-old rock cave formations and exploring waterfalls in between, there’s a town on the Atherton Tablelands you’ll want to get to know.

Step away from the mainstream chain stores and hit the city streets to browse an array of local Cairns shops.

The iconic Cairns Esplanade has had a major makeover. Enjoy a new and improved esplanade dining experience by visiting the Cairns Esplanade Dining Precinct.

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

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.

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.

From mild to wild, there’s endless opportunities for rainforest adventures in Tropical North Queensland.

These eco-travel tips will ensure that your trip to Tropical North Queensland is as green as the lush rainforest environment itself.

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.