Our homes in
Far North Queensland
Far North Queensland is the only place on Earth where two World Heritage-listed areas meet: the Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Daintree Rainforest. It offers tropical beaches, cascading waterfalls, a laid-back island lifestyle and warm weather all year round. Cairns makes an easy gateway, with direct flights from across Australia.
Welcome
Your Far North Queensland tropical escape
Far North Queensland is Australia at its most spectacular. Here, the world’s largest coral reef system sits just offshore from the world’s oldest tropical rainforest. Palm-fringed beaches, crystal-clear swimming holes and misty highland waterfalls fill the landscape in between. From the lively city of Cairns to the boutique village of Port Douglas and the cool green Atherton Tablelands, every corner of the region has its own character.
Spend your days snorkelling among coral and tropical fish, exploring the rainforest with Indigenous guides, cruising rivers in search of crocodiles and relaxing by the pool in the tropical sunshine. Far North Queensland suits adventurous couples, families and friends’ getaways alike, offering an unforgettable tropical holiday with nature on a grand scale.
Things to do
Reef, rainforest and tropical adventures
There is no shortage of experiences across Far North Queensland:
Snorkel, dive or take a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef
Spend a day on Green Island or Fitzroy Island, with snorkelling right off the beach
Explore the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef
Take an Indigenous-guided Dreamtime walk at Mossman Gorge
Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the village of Kuranda
Chase waterfalls on the Atherton Tablelands, including the Millaa Millaa Falls circuit
Swim in the crater lake at Lake Eacham and visit the Curtain Fig Tree near Yungaburra
Cruise the Daintree River to spot wild saltwater crocodiles
Swim at the free Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and explore the city’s dining and night markets
Browse the boutiques and restaurants of Port Douglas’s Macrossan Street
Look for cassowaries in the rainforest around Mission Beach
Location
Perfectly placed in Tropical North Queensland
Far North Queensland covers the tropical north-east corner of Australia. Cairns is its main city and gateway. Cairns Airport has direct flights from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and other major Australian cities, as well as international services. From Cairns, Palm Cove and the Northern Beaches are around 25 minutes north, Port Douglas around an hour, and the Daintree Rainforest around two hours. The Atherton Tablelands are around an hour to an hour and a half inland, and Mission Beach is around an hour and a half to two hours south.
Frequently asked questions
- Where should I base myself?
It depends on your trip. Cairns offers the most flights, dining and reef departures, plus a lively city atmosphere. Palm Cove and the Northern Beaches are quieter and more resort-style, while staying close to the airport. Port Douglas is a stylish village closer to the Daintree and the outer reef. The Atherton Tablelands offer cooler temperatures, rainforest and waterfalls. On longer trips, many travellers split their stay between the coast and another base.
- How many days do I need?
We recommend at least five to seven days to experience both the reef and the rainforest without rushing. That gives you time for a full-day reef trip, a day in the Daintree, a visit to Kuranda or the Tablelands, and some time to relax. Allow a spare day or two in case reef trips are rescheduled due to weather.
- Which Great Barrier Reef trip should I choose?
Outer reef trips travel further offshore for clearer water and the most vibrant coral, often from a pontoon or dive boat. Island trips to Green Island or Fitzroy Island offer shorter boat rides and beaches where you can relax between snorkels. That makes them a good choice for families and those prone to seasickness. Smaller sailing and snorkelling tours offer a more personal experience. Book ahead in peak season.
- Can I drive everywhere in a hire car?
Most major attractions are accessible on sealed roads, including the coastal drive to Port Douglas, the Daintree and the Atherton Tablelands. The road north of Cape Tribulation, known as the Bloomfield Track, requires a four-wheel drive. Many standard hire car agreements don’t allow unsealed roads, so check your rental conditions first. Watch for cassowaries and other wildlife crossing the road, especially around the Daintree and Mission Beach.
- Is it safe to swim in the ocean and rivers?
Far North Queensland is home to saltwater crocodiles and marine stingers, so it’s important to swim safely. Never swim in rivers, creeks, estuaries or mangrove areas, and always obey crocodile warning signs. During stinger season, from around November to May, swim only inside stinger nets at patrolled beaches, and wear a stinger suit on reef trips. The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and the Tablelands’ crater lakes and swimming holes are popular alternatives.
- Can the wet season affect my plans?
Yes. The wet season, from around December to April, brings heavy tropical downpours, high humidity and occasional cyclones. Flooding can close roads, particularly around the Daintree and parts of the Tablelands, and reef trips may be cancelled in rough seas. Check road conditions and weather warnings before setting out, and build some flexibility into your plans. The dry season, from around May to October, offers the most reliable weather.
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