The choice of exciting and adventurous things to see and do in Far North Queensland is almost endless. From exploring the Great Barrier Reef and experiencing the pristine rainforests to thrill-seeking sports like white water rafting, there is something for every age and interest. Boredom is not an option in Tropical North Queensland!
This 7.5 kilometre cableway provides truly exceptional views of the rainforest, Barron Falls and the Marlin Coast and is a regular winner of many national awards. There are two mid-stations en route, one of which has a Rainforest Interpretive Centre. The journey from Cairns terminates in Kuranda, (and vice versa). There are also both Kuranda Train and many bus options, all of which can be combined in various ways for a return journey.
A regular winner of many national awards, using a contemporary, high-tech venue, live performers and visitor interaction to present insights into most aspects of the culture of the local Aborigine people. Their dance troupe truly is internationally renowned. There is also a cafe, restaurant, and special event & conference facilities. Several tours visit here.
Built between 1882 & 1891, this is one of the world’s truly spectacular train journeys. With restored ‘period’ carriages, trains leave Cairns in the morning to travel up the rainforested Barron Gorge, via the Barron Falls, to Kuranda, returning in the afternoon. There are also both Skyrail and many bus options, all of which can be combined in various ways for a return journey.
The closest Australian wildlife showpark to the Cairns CBD, Wild World uses regular crocodile, snake, bird and Aboriginal cultural shows, and also koala and goanna cuddling, to help visitors both experience our native wildlife at close hand, and to understand the animals’ environment and many unique habits. Plenty of great photo opportunities, though koala cuddling photos involve an extra charge. Several tours visit here.
A multi-award winning wildlife sanctuary near Port Douglas, the Rainforest Habitat has over 1,000 animals and 150 rainforest & savannah plant species within its exhibits. ‘Breakfast with the Birds’ is a popular daily event. Guided tours are available throughout the day. Several tours visit here. If you’re in the area, do go for ‘brekky’.
Undersea World
The Undersea World Oceanarium contains more than 1200 marine creatures, 140 species and coral in 20 reef habitats. The biggest drawcard is the hand-feeding of sharks and other fish which happens four times daily. Visitors who are game enough, can dive with the sharks themselves. Guided tours and educational kits are available.
A Spanish immigrant began the task of building a castle, with pleasure gardens, beside a waterfall in the dense jungle of the Tropical North, in 1914. Over 3 decades he toiled with unswerving devotion to construct (and reconstruct not only a castle, but a Theatre/ Ballroom, Grand Staircase, a Tunnel, a Hydro-Electric plant, and a plethora of staircases, gardens, fountains and various related buildings. He also planted around 7,000 trees. Paronella Park was opened to the public in 1935. Though again and again damaged by floods, almost everything except the castle has been reconstructed, and today the Park is still open to the public. Jose’s beautiful creations have now been exquisitely re-engulfed by the surrounding rainforest, and the resulting photographer’s heaven will provide most people with at least a couple of hours rapturous exploration. There is also a small museum, and some of the best fish feeding to be had anywhere. Paronella Park is 90 minutes drive south from Cairns. Several tours visit here.
Situated a few hours drive from Cairns are the almost mystical remnants of a 200, 000 year old lava tube, now two enormous caverns and a rock arch. Tours leave from the nearby Lava Lodge, where a range of accommodation is also available. A good base to explore the outback. Tours by bus from Cairns are available, as are train and plane options.
Built to look like an outback sheep station, the Australian Woolshed is only about a ten minute drive from the Cairns CBD. Performing sheep, a shearing show, working sheepdog demonstration and an extensive array of animals provide plenty of entertainment for young and old alike. There is also a cafe, restaurant, and conference facilities. Several tours visit here.
Established in 1934, Hartleys is half way between Port Douglas and the Cairns CBD. It houses an extensive array of crocodiles, with two ‘attack shows’ daily (11am & 3pm), and also has a host of other Australian wildlife. Their guides are famous for their informative and humourous narrative. Several tours visit here.
Nestled in the rainforest below the mountains about a half hour’s drive to the NW of Port Douglas, the Karnak ‘Theatre in the Rainforest’ has been aptly described as a ‘National Treasure’. With the completion this year of an all weather ‘sail’ roof, the usual magnificent array of theatre, dance, music and other events are set to be viewed by an even larger audience. A great venue to find something a little unusual but still of excellent quality, Karnak also presents the ‘From Creation to the Infinite Beyond’ laser show (with the Jiddagirri Aboriginal Dancers), on a regular basis.
Crystal Caves & Fascinating Facets
In the middle of the main street of Atherton, a tablelands town about 90 minutes drive to the west of Cairns, a replica limestone cave, complete with fossils, gems, crystals and more, has been constructed. Visitors are supplied with a mining helmet and can tour the ‘cave’ at their leisure. There is also a shop with plenty of related gem, crystal, and other products for sale. A big effort has been made to make the ‘cave’ realistic, fun and visually spectacular, and many people go to Atherton specifically to explore the ‘Crystal Caves’.
Open 10am to 6pm daily, the Cairns Regional Gallery hosts local, national and international exhibitions within an elegant heritage building in the heart of the Cairns CBD. It also has an extensive range of prints, posters and unique gift ideas in the Gallery Shop.
Located in a stately building constructed in the 1880s, the exterior is evidence of the early wealth of Cooktown. Exhibits in the museum include the Gallery of Captain Cook's history, a replica of a Chinese Joss House and an extensive shell collection.
First established in 1886 as a recreational reserve, these are now the only Botanic Gardens in Australia’s wet tropics. They are also adjacent to the Centenary Lakes public gardens, which include a 500m boardwalk through native rainforest left largely undisturbed since the local area was first developed. The total area of these gardens is 38 hectares, and around 100,000 people visit them each year.
Nestled in the Cairns’ suburb of Edgehill, not far from the Botanic Gardens, is the headquarters of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Not only is it the organisational base for all Flying Doctor services in North Queensland, there is also a Visitors Centre and museum. Tours of the centre require a leisurely hour to complete, and include a video, guided tour of the museum, and an inspection of an old aeroplane. Some tours visit here.
Reef Casino
Located in the heart of Cairns, with an extensive array of a great variety of gambling games, the Reef Casino offers everyone an opportunity to try winning themselves a small fortune. Open 24 hours a day, most days of the year, the Reef Casino is also well known for the live music and art exhibitions it presents in the foyer. Minimum dress code applies - clean and casual.
A sleepy fishing village that has become a popular destination for most visitors to our region. Situated on its own peninsula, a leisurely hour’s drive north of Cairns via one of the most beautiful coastal drives anywhere, ‘Port’ now has a vast selection of 3, 4 & 5 star accommodation. If you’re not going to stay a while, do lunch at least. Port Douglas has excellent wining and dining choices. It is also the point of embarkation for several of the best tours to the Great Barrier Reef. Port Douglas residents enjoy a legendary laid-back lifestyle. The Sunday Markets are great, and a beer at the historic Court House Hotel across the road is a must.
A sleepy tropical village perched on the edge of the Atherton Tablelands, about 30 minutes drive from Cairns, Kuranda is most popular on market days: Wed, Thu, Fri & Sunday. A host of other tourist orientated venues and activities are based both in the village and nearby. There are many Skyrail/ Kuranda Train/ Bus/ Tour options for the return journey from Cairns. The Barron Falls can also be viewed from close to Kuranda.
Atherton Tablelands and Lake Tinaroo
Elevated 200 to 300 meters above the coastal city of Cairns, not far to the east, the Atherton Tablelands enjoy a somewhat more temperate climate than the coast, and also contain an extraordinary geographic and environmental diversity. Several towns established to service the local farming communities are slowly becoming more tourist orientated, and it is a good area to find rural B&Bs and remote retreats. The man-made Lake Tinaroo is centrally located, has some incomparable scenery, and is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
Great Barrier Reef and Islands
Some of the most profuse and diverse coral reefs in the world, regularly excellent water visibility, a plethora of mind bogglingly beautiful and strange marine creatures, plenty of prime fishing sites, and pristine coral atolls and tropical islands; all this and more can be found off all of our region’s coastline. There are even places where the rainforest meets the reef, though some white sandy beach does still come between them.
In 1770, (the then Lieutenant) James Cook repaired his barque the Endeavour on the banks of what is now the Cook River. Cooktown established itself here mainly during the goldrush of the 19th century, and is now one of the final vestiges of civilisation before the wilds of Cape York Peninsula begin. From here north it’s almost all 4WD country. The Cooktown Endeavour Festival, held in June each year, is the highlight of the local calendar.
Mission Beach / Cassowary Coast
To the south of Cairns, about an hour and a half hours drive away, is one of the most ideally lush and tranquil stretches of coastline in Australia. Already a popular tourist destination, the area around Mission Beach offers perfect beaches, tropical islands, vast rainforests. White Water Rafting, Skydiving, Sea Kayaking and Horse Riding are daily activities. A good place to really kick back and relax, but with plenty of adventure and excitement also on offer. The Mission Beach Sunday Markets are well worth checking out.
A legendary lush tropical paradise, miles from anywhere, gorgeously peaceful, tranquilly beautiful, and also one of the few places where coral reefs exist beside a beach with a real rainforest backdrop. A few backpacker places are now established here, and there are also regular buses every day to and from Cairns, about two hours south. Plenty of tours visit here.