Destination matchmaking: Tropical North Queensland edition
Discover our 12 unique regions and find the perfect destination for your next adventure
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
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate #RexSmealPark? Drop your score below. 👇 We would give it a 10… obviously...🌴
📸 IG/kel.and.dyl
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree #portdouglasdaintree
ID A park with lush green grass stretches toward the waterfront, framed by tall, evenly spaced palm trees. In the background, a calm body of water reflects the sky, with distant mountains and a tree-covered shoreline.
No snorkel? No worries! A glass-bottom boat tour lets you see the #GreatBarrierReef without getting wet. Who’s up for an underwater adventure but above water 😉?
🎥 @sunloverreefcruises
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID The video opens with on-screen text that reads “Have you ever been on a glass-bottom boat tour?”. The footage then shows a glass-bottom boat floating over the Great Barrier Reef, with coral formations below. The perspective shifts between above-water shots of the boat and views through the glass panels, where tropical fish and marine life can be seen swimming beneath.
Journey through #Mareeba along the historic Wheelbarrow Way to discover #Chillagoe, a hidden outback gem filled with ancient limestone caves, rich mining history and landscapes that take your breath away. Have you heard of it? Time to add this “secret” to your TNQ bucket list.
Planning a trip? @visitmareebashire offers a 2-day
Wheelbarrow Way itinerary and all the tips you need to make the most of your adventure.
🎥 @overlandtravellers
ID Aerial and ground footage showcasing Chillagoe’s outback landscapes, ancient limestone formations and scenic walking trails. Clips feature a couple exploring caves, hiking throughthe rocky terrain and enjoying sunset views among towering limestone pillars. Text overlays highlight Chillagoe as one of TNQ’s best-kept secrets.
#exploretnq #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #australia @queensland @australia
If paradise had a waterfall, this would be it. #ZoeFalls on #HinchinbrookIsland is the ultimate reward for those who make the trek offering up the ultimate freshwater experience. Who’s taken the plunge here? 👇 #HinchinbrookIsland #zoefalls
📸 IG/markfitz
ID A half-underwater, half-above-water shot of a woman standing in a clear pool at the base of a waterfall. Below the water, small fish swim among smooth rocks. Above the water, a cascade flows down dark, rocky cliffs surrounded by green rainforest.
Monday mood? ➡️ Wishing you were here instead… 🌴 #MissionBeach
🎥 @_markfitz
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia missionbeachqld
ID Aerial drone shot featuring a long stretch of beach with golden sand palm trees.
Ever peered into the depths of Mt Hypipamee Crater on the @athertontablelands? 🤯 This volcanic pipe is just one of many geological marvels of this region. Who’s visited?
🎥 @jessadventuresaus
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia #athertontablelands
ID A deep, cylindrical crater with sheer rock walls drops dramatically into a still, green pool far below. The surrounding landscape is dense with rainforest, with trees lining the rim of the crater.
Two historical landmarks captured in one beautiful image – can you name them? 🤔 (Answer at the end!)
📸 @amys.camera.lens
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @australia @queensland @portdouglasdaintree
A small white church sits among tall palm trees near a sandy shoreline. Behind it, the ocean stretches to the horizon with a wooden pier on one side and distant mountains in the background.
⚓ Port Douglas Sugar Wharf
⛪ St Mary’s by the Sea
Every day is an adventure in @TropicalNorthQueensland. ☀️ And if you need a little inspo, here are 8 experiences that made 🎥 @kellerdiaries` list.
🚂 Take a scenic ride through the rainforest on the @kurandascenicrailway.
🐎 Gallop along the beach between two World Heritage sites with @capetribhorserides.
🛥️ Cruise to Mackay Coral Cay for pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
🍍 Hunt for hidden gems and fresh local produce at the Port Douglas Markets.
🍇 Indulge in a delicious road trip through the @athertontablelands’ foodie trail.
🏝️ Spend a sun-soaked day exploring @fitzroyisland.
🤿 Snorkel the @gbrmarinepark and meet its incredible marine life.
🌴 Chase waterfalls and secret swimming spots in @portdouglasdaintree.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID Text over video reads “8 must-see places in Tropical North Queensland” followed by a series of videos showing a train travelling through a rainforest, people riding horses along a sandy shoreline, people standing on a white sand cay in the ocean, an outdoor market filled with people and stalls, a person admiring views from a lookout beneath a tree, a white sand beach with bright blue water, colourful coral underwater and a person jumping into a rainforest waterhole.
Heaven IS a place on Earth… and it looks a lot like this 💙. #LizardIsland is serving up some pretty spectacular views so, who’s coming with you? 🏝️
🎥 @lizardisland
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @cooktowntnq
ID Aerial and close-up shots of the landscapes of Lizard Island, featuring crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant marine life.
OMG, Is that a baby dragon? Meet the newest additions to the @WildlifeHabitat - Wilma and Whiplash’s tiny but mighty Boyd’s Forest Dragons. After months of careful incubation, they have finally hatched. Who else thinks they need names? 👇
🎥 @wildlifehabitat
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree
ID A Wildlife Habitat keeper introduces newly hatched Boyd’s Forest Dragons, explaining the incubation process. The video shows gloved hands gently handling tiny eggs and placing baby dragons in an incubation container. The scene shifts to their parents, Wilma and Whiplash, perched in their enclosure. The keeper describes the careful temperature and humidity control needed for hatching.
