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Explore NowSee Great. Leave Greater.
Connect with nature in a place unlike anywhere else. Up here, you’ll experience the astoundingly diverse and connect to something greater. It’s not just about relaxing on the beach (although we do that well too), it’s about making a connection to our special part of the world.
On the Trail of Inspiration
Where to experience the best Tropical North Queensland has to offer… from wandering to waterfalls to taking the plunge on the Great Barrier Reef.
16 things to do on your first trip to 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.
How to explore iconic landscapes with Traditional Custodians
Delve deeper into the iconic landscapes of Tropical North Queensland by visiting with Traditional Custodians.
Live the luxe life with these luxury & wellness experiences
From soaring above the Great Barrier Reef in a private helicopter to sundowners on a secluded sand cay, indulge in the lap of luxury in Tropical North Queensland with these luxury and wellness experiences.
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.
A Guide to Sustainable Dining in Tropical North Queensland
From utilising organic and locally sourced produce to reducing food waste with Green Food Australia, these sustainable restaurants in Tropical North Queensland are not only delicious, but kind to people and the planet too.
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.
The ultimate Port Douglas accommodation guide
Whether you’re heading for a romantic getaway or a budget family holiday, this Port Douglas accommodation guide will help you find your perfect home away from home.
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.
Quirky & unique accommodation you won’t believe is in the tropics
From the utterly adorable (staying with tree kangaroos anyone?) to the beautifully bizarre, accommodation options in the tropics are anything but your boring bread-and-butter hotel. Pack your bags and check into one of these quirky accommodation spots in Tropical North Queensland.
Your guide to vegetarian & vegan friendly restaurants in Cairns
You’ll find most cafes and restaurants around Cairns include quality meat-free dishes. The following eateries however, hero plant-based food. Here’s where to eat vegan and vegetarian food in Cairns.
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.
Live the luxe life with these luxury & wellness experiences
From soaring above the Great Barrier Reef in a private helicopter to sundowners on a secluded sand cay, indulge in the lap of luxury in Tropical North Queensland with these luxury and wellness experiences.
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.
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.
What are you looking for?
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR
ASMR? More like ATSR (Aquatic Turtle Stress Relief)...You’re welcome 😌.
🎥 @puresnorkelling
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID An underwater close-up of a sea turtle gently blowing bubbles in clear blue water. The scene is calm and quiet, with soft bubbling sounds creating a soothing, ASMR-style moment.
Hello #MissionBeach 👋 Where rainforest meets the #greatbarrierreef… and the beaches stretch on forever. 🌴☀️
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @cassowarycoastaustralia
ID A tropical beach scene that shifts from daylight to sunrise. Palm trees line the shore, with soft waves and golden sand. The final images show the sky glowing pink and orange as the sun rises.
Thinking this beats your usual commute? Time to plan your paddle with @babindakayaking.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @cassowarycoastaustralia
ID An aerial view of a calm, clear creek. Five colourful kayaks are pulled up on a white sandy bank, with people lying back and relaxing nearby. The creek is shallow with a visible sandy bottom, and surrounded by thick green vegetation.
📸 @babindakayaking
Just two locals cruising the coastline… 🐢🦈 These coastal shallows along the #DaintreeRainforest are vital feeding grounds, nurseries and rest stops for countless marine species. Incredible don`t you think?
🎥 @josephine.wrt
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
@queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree
ID An aerial view of a calm, clear stretch of ocean along the Daintree Rainforest coastline. A green sea turtle and reef shark glide peacefully in shallow turquoise waters near the shore, surrounded by fringing reef and sea grass beds.
When was the last time you truly paused to take it all in? Sunrise at #FourMileBeach. One of those quiet #PortDouglas moments worth slowing down for.
📸 @amys.camera.lens
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
@queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree
ID Tall palm trees line the sandy edge of Four Mile Beach, silhouetted against a sunrise sky filled with pink, purple and orange hues.
“I distinctly remember telling you to stay out of the bird feeder…” 😆
This cheeky possum clearly didn’t get the memo. Just one of the many curious visitors you might spot at @canopytreehouses – though not all of them are this bold.
🎥 @wanderlustmike
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
@queensland @australia @athertontablelands
ID A possum is perched on a hanging bird feeder, using its front paws to grip the edge as it leans forward to eat. The scene captures the possum mid-mischief, appearing curious and unbothered.
UPDATE We are loving all the excitement this post has generated — turns out, everyone wants to sip cocktails in an underwater tiki-themed reef bar. 🐠🍹 While it was just a cheeky April Fools’ joke, the idea clearly struck a chord. Who knows… maybe one day the ‘Coral Club’ will make a splash 😉. Until then, keep dreaming tropical and thanks for playing along.
JUST ANNOUNCED Green Island’s Historic Underwater Observatory to be reborn… as a reef bar 🍹🐠. In a bold fusion of heritage and hospitality, Green Island’s original underwater observatory is set to be reimagined as the world’s first underwater tiki bar — built on the very same historic footprint beneath the jetty.
Originally opened in 1954, the 10-metre chamber was built from a WWII diving vessel with 22 portholes. Though it closed in 2012 and was removed in 2019, its legacy will live on with the aptly named ‘Coral Club’. Opening in 2026, this one-of-a-kind reef bar will offer…
🌊 Panoramic glass views of the Great Barrier Reef’s marine life
🍍 Signature cocktails served in coconuts and pineapples
🥂 Original 1954 portholes restored and featured in the new design
🛥️ Transfers from Cairns Marina via @greatadventurescruises - just $49 return, includes a welcome drink + 11pm return options
🏝️ Or make a night of it and stay at the luxurious @greenislandgbr just steps away.
👇 Tag your reef-loving crew and grab your best tropical shirt because…the #CoralClub is coming.
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#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID A collage of images showing Green Island and its historic underwater observatory. Includes an aerial view of the island, vintage photos of visitors on the jetty, and an artists impression of the new bar. The observatory is pictured on stilts over the water with an Australian flag above. The text announces plans to reopen it in 2026 as an underwater tiki bar.
Golden hour strolls along #EllisBeach just hit a bit different, wouldn`t you agree?
📸: @josh_burkinshaw
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID A person walks alone along Ellis Beach at sunrise, with golden light on the sand, calm waves and palm trees lining the shore. A green mountain rises in the background.
Chasing waterfalls or planning a swim in one of Tropical North Queensland’s freshwater spots? It’s worth taking a moment to brush up on how to do it safely. Senior Raft Guide at @cairnsadventuregroup Paul Porteous, shares some simple tips to help visitors stay safe while making the most of the incredible freshwater experiences that can be found here. More here 👉 🔗 in bio ☝️.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
@queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree @athertontablelands @visitmareebashire @cassowarycoastaustralia @cooktowntnq
ID A freshwater safety video set in Tropical North Queensland. It features warning signs, rainforest streams, waterfalls, and people swimming in natural pools. Paul Porteous, Senior Raft Guide at Cairns Adventure Group, shares safety tips on camera. The video shows calm swimming spots, drone views of waterfalls and canyoning scenes to highlight safe ways to enjoy the region’s freshwater locations.
Which do you chase - summit views that stretch beyond the horizon or winding rainforest trails that lead to this? Or both? #DaintreeRainforest
📸 @wunez
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree
ID A rainforest scene in Tropical North Queensland, featuring a moss-covered fallen tree arching over a gently flowing stream. Ferns and dense greenery surround the waterway, creating a rich, layered jungle landscape. In another image, golden light touches the peaks of distant mountains, offering a sweeping summit view above the rainforest canopy.
