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.

Mini road trips in Tropical North Queensland
Discover local specialties and hidden gems on a mini road trip through Tropical North Queensland with these one day wonders. Here are eight itineraries to get you out and about.

You can now experience the Torres Strait on a day tour from Cairns
Here’s why you should experience the beauty, culture and history of the Torres Strait on a brand new tour exploring Australia’s most northerly point.

Boujee Bathtubs: Bathe with a view in the tropics
These boujee bathtubs with incredible views are all wham, bam, put it on the ‘gram! From rustic tubs in the outback, to the actual epitome of forest bathing, here’s the bathtubs with a view you need to add to your bucket list.

14 Cairns lookouts to soak up the scenery
If you like to start your holiday by getting a lay of the land, you’re in luck, because Cairns has an array of stunning lookouts. With a Coral Sea front garden and an ancient rainforest out the back, the views from these Cairns lookouts are nothing short of showstopping.

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.

8 Cooktown and Cape York waterfalls to discover
Refresh yourself in nature’s swimming pools, sliding into these waterfalls and waterholes across Cooktown and Cape York.

50 must do day trips from Cairns
While Cairns itself is known for its laid back city vibes and stunning esplanade, the Great Barrier Reef, rainforest, waterfalls and quirky townships are just a stone’s throw away. Grab a pen and paper and add these day trips from Cairns to your holiday bucket list.

Everything you need to know about the Cardwell Spa Pool
Cardwell Spa Pool is a naturally-fed, seasonal creek that shot to stardom on social media in 2016. Ever since, people have been adding it to their holiday itinerary but there are a few things you might not know about this idyllic swimming spot.

10 Great Barrier Reef Experiences for Adventure Seekers
While most people come to the Great Barrier Reef for postcard-perfect swimming, snorkelling or scuba diving in the real-life World Heritage-listed aquarium, there’s plenty of ways to experience the reef and not all involve getting wet. Choose your own Tropical North Queensland reef adventure with this adrenaline scale ranging from sunset sails to vistas served at speeds of up to 200km per hour.

Taste your way along the Cassowary Coast
Tasting your way along the Cassowary Coast’s bountiful tropical food trail will satisfy any food lovers appetite. From orchards laden with exotic fruits to seafood buffets on tropical islands, you’ll be making all sorts of stops along the way. So pack your hampers and make room in your car boot, we’re taking you foraging!

Guide to Daintree & Cape Tribulation Accommodation
Where else but Tropical North Queensland can you sleep soundly in a spot where two World Heritage listed sites meet?

10 waterfalls to chase on the Atherton Tablelands
Hit the famous waterfall circuit, uncover those less known or stretch a little further and take a dip in Australia’s widest, single-drop waterfall on the Atherton Tablelands.

Dive into this guide of swim-out hotel rooms
Walk in: swim out. For that added splash of luxury to your weekend getaway, family holiday or romantic retreat the following hotels will get you as close as you can to the most convenient and luxurious pools in the region.

16 things to do your first time in Cairns
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.

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

Walk on the wild side with these rainforest boardwalks
From wandering through the top of the rainforest canopy, to venturing to thundering waterfalls, these rainforest boardwalks are short on distance but big on experience.

Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast Waterfalls & Swimming Spots To Cool Off In
Mother Nature sees your backyard swimming pool and raised you her take on it with these waterfalls and swimming spots– each perfectly moulded and best explored with a sense of adventure.

How to explore iconic landscapes with Traditional Custodians
Delve deeper into the iconic landscapes of Tropical North Queensland by visiting with Traditional Custodians.

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.

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.
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.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR
Have you ever wondered about the Indigenous clan groups of Tropical North Queensland? We asked Juan Walker to give us some insight into his country, family and culture 👣
This is just the start of what there is to discover, learn more on a...

There’s a new bird on the block 🪺
Hey @purenewzealand, did you know that you can now fly direct from Auckland to Cairns with @airnz? 🌴 Today we said welcome back to our friends across the ditch for the first time in a year, and it ...

As the sun rises on NAIDOC Week, we acknowledge the land on which we stand & pay our respects to all Traditional Custodian groups across Tropical North Queensland & Australia. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present & emerging ...

Talk about a family adventure! Say hello to the Family Islands group, including the incredible #BowdenIsland 🏝🐠 You’ll find this stunner off the coast of #MissionBeach in the @cassowarycoastaustralia 🦋🌴 From fishing & adventure to a...

Family holidays are next level in Tropical North Queensland 🚙
Around here, you’ll find a wide array of waterfalls to explore, from hidden forest gems to an outback oasis 🦋🌴 Perhaps one of the best kept secret is that some of the ...

If you can think of the perfect place to relax & soak up some vitamin D, we’ll beat it by 10% 😉☀️ Wedged neatly between the Coral Sea & the @wettropicsworldheritage area lies the secluded #EllisBeach, just five minutes north of ...
![If you can think of the perfect place to relax & soak up some vitamin D, we’ll beat it by 10% 😉☀️ Wedged neatly between the Coral Sea & the @wettropicsworldheritage area lies the secluded #EllisBeach, just five minutes north of #PalmCove along the Captain Cook Highway 🐚🚙
Talk about a good place to spend the holidays 🌴 If the relaxed atmosphere is to your liking, stay a while at the Ellis Beach Oceanfront Bungalows & stop in at the @ellisbeachbargrill for a tasty meal (plus cheap oysters on Sundays! 🦪)
📸 @josh_burkinshaw #exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #explorecairnsGBR
[ID: palm trees on the edge of a beach, with a person standing in the distance]](https://www.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
New life guard on duty for the school holidays 🌴😉
This feathered fellow decided to give @lifeguardmaxi a break and take over patrolling the beach at #EttyBay 🏖
There’s not many places you can spot the elusive Southern ...

Boat parties in @portdouglasdaintree is where it’s at 🥳
Whether you’re heading out on a guided river tour or hiring your own boat, there’s no better way to spend the day than exploring the waterways of the tropics 🌱
...
![Boat parties in @portdouglasdaintree is where it’s at 🥳
Whether you’re heading out on a guided river tour or hiring your own boat, there’s no better way to spend the day than exploring the waterways of the tropics 🌱
What’s your favourite boating pastime? Ours is croc-spotting! 🐊
📸 @jennsomewhere #exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #explorecairnsgbr
[ID: two people on a boat floating down a river with trees either side]](https://www.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Nope, you're not flicking through the pages of @natgeo, although we wouldn’t blame you for thinking you were 💫🌴 Deep within a 180 million-year-old rainforest, where the Kuku Yalanji people have roamed for more than 50,000 years lies ...
![Nope, you're not flicking through the pages of @natgeo, although we wouldn’t blame you for thinking you were 💫🌴 Deep within a 180 million-year-old rainforest, where the Kuku Yalanji people have roamed for more than 50,000 years lies the pristine waters & stunning views of #MossmanGorge 🍃💦
Before you explore emerald green waters flowing over smooth, granite boulders enveloped by ancient tropical rainforest, head off on a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk, peruse the gallery or sample the local food at @mossmangorge centre 🌿🎨🦖
#exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #explorecairnsGBR
[ID: man sitting in clear water at Mossman Gorge, in front of boulders with a stream running between them. The area is surrounded by lush rainforest.]](https://www.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Just hanging out between two world heritage areas 💁♀️🍃
Swing (haha) back in time while you visit @portdouglasdaintree and discover why people think of this place as the modern day Jurassic Park (sans escaped dinosaurs) 🦖 ...
![Just hanging out between two world heritage areas 💁♀️🍃
Swing (haha) back in time while you visit @portdouglasdaintree and discover why people think of this place as the modern day Jurassic Park (sans escaped dinosaurs) 🦖 Though we do still have some dinosaur-esque creatures still roaming the ancient rainforest with thousands of bird species, animals and reptiles 🌴🙌
📸 @flora.cann #exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #explorecairnsGBR
[ID: woman swinging from rope attached to palm tree on a beach in front of tropical rainforest.]](https://www.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)