Tropical North Queensland Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Tropical North Queensland
Rainforests, reefs, grasslands and outback: this part of Australia is a fascinating place of diverse natural attractions and cultural gems.

Tropical North Queensland is a land of extraordinary natural beauty and diversity. This rich environment has helped shape the indigenous culture, which stretches back more than 40,000 years. Embark on a jungle safari, dive the world's largest coral reef system, witness traditional practices and wander through ancient lava tubes.

The gateway to the tropical wonderland of North Queensland is Cairns, a modern, laid-back city on Australia's east coast. Make a day of it on white-sand beaches or tackle the slides at Sugar World Water Park.

Cairns is also an ideal base for exploring one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef. Discover its remarkable biodiversity on a snorkeling or diving trip. Get your heart pumping above the surface with watersports such as parasailing and jet skiing.

Surrounding Cairns is the Wet Tropics Rainforests, thought to be the world’s oldest rainforests. Go on long-distance bushwalks, join crocodile spotting tours and picnic by waterfalls. These rainforests have been home to Aboriginal peoples for thousands of years. Learn about the Pamagirri culture and watch a tribal dance show at the Rainforestation Nature Park.

Located 56 miles (90 kilometers) southwest of Cairns is the Atherton Tablelands, part of the Great Dividing Range. This fertile highland region encompasses rainforests, crater lakes, wetlands and savannah. Enjoy an epic bike ride through Atherton Forest, go on self-drive tours and visit the mountain village of Kuranda. Browse its markets, book a riverboat cruise and see tropical butterflies at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

Stop by Atherton town and tour the Hou Wang Chinese Temple and Museum for insights into the region's Chinese settlers.

Leave enough time to experience more of Tropical North Queensland's environs. Explore the gorges, limestone caves and fossil fields of the Gulf of Savannah, a vast outback region. Venture into a lava tube cave system at Undara Volcanic National Park.

If you are traveling from overseas, fly into Cairns and get ready for a vacation of incredible wildlife encounters, awe-inspiring scenery and fascinating cultural insights.

Where to stay in Tropical North Queensland

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Palm Cove

Palm Cove is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Palm Cove Beach and Vie Spa Palm Cove, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Cairns.

Palm Cove
Cairns which includes a city

Cairns Central Business District

4.5/5(1,474 area reviews)

Cairns Central Business District is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Cairns Esplanade and Esplanade Lagoon.

Cairns Central Business District
Trinity Beach showing tropical scenes, a sandy beach and surfing

Trinity Beach

Trinity Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Cairns.

Trinity Beach
Cairns Esplanade featuring a luxury hotel or resort, swimming and a pool

Cairns North

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Cairns North. A stop by Cairns Esplanade or Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland might round out your trip.

Cairns North
Clifton Beach which includes mountains, a luxury hotel or resort and golf

Clifton Beach

Clifton Beach is known for its pristine beaches, and you can make a stop by Clifton Beach and Palm Cove Beach while in the area.

Clifton Beach
Queens Gardens showing forest scenes and a park

North Ward

North Ward is known for its beaches, and you can plan a trip to The Strand Beach and Strand Park while you're in town.

North Ward
Madison Plaza Townsville
Madison Plaza Townsville
4 out of 5
409 Flinders St., Corner Of Stanley And Flinders St., Townsville, QLD
The price is NZ$146 per night from 10 Jun to 11 Jun
NZ$146
per night
10 Jun - 11 Jun
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Townsville. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Great property, enjoyed my staff"

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Madison Plaza Townsville
The Palmer Collective
The Palmer Collective
4 out of 5
12 14 Palmer Street, South Townsville, QLD
The price is NZ$155 per night from 3 Jun to 4 Jun
NZ$155
per night
3 Jun - 4 Jun
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Townsville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (574 reviews)
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Reviewed on 9 May 2024

The Palmer Collective
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
5 out of 5
Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas, QLD
The price is NZ$448 per night from 11 May to 12 May
NZ$448
per night
11 May - 12 May
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Port Douglas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 12 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (842 reviews)
"Excellent for families with a range of food options."

Reviewed on 28 Apr. 2024

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort
Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort
3.5 out of 5
23-51 Anderson Road, Woree, QLD
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (651 reviews)
"It’s our third time staying here. Such a great park to stay at whilst on holidays. Clean and friendly. Definitely a place to hang out and relax. Cabins are clean and tidy. My son struggled to sleep in bunks as he is almost 6 foot. Personally I found the beds a bit too hard but that’s no fault of ..."

Reviewed on 29 Apr. 2024

Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort
Mantra Trilogy
Mantra Trilogy
4 out of 5
101 - 105 The Esplanade, Cairns, QLD
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free parking, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,124 reviews)
"As expected"

Reviewed on 26 Apr. 2024

Mantra Trilogy
Cascade Gardens
Cascade Gardens
3.5 out of 5
175 Lake St, Cairns, QLD
Stay at this aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (469 reviews)
"Easily checked in upon arrival before 12:00 noon, instead of waiting till 2:00pm. The apartment was clean, neat, tidy, peaceful and safe with appropriate kitchen utensils provided for self-cooking and also laundry washing machine and dryer. Will stay there in future."

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Cascade Gardens
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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