TNQ Writer
Where better to get an education than while on holidays? Explore Tropical North Queenslands best experiences that will enrich your mind.
Experience-lead learning is one of the best ways to keep the kids engaged while growing their minds and with an abundance of educational experiences, culture and history, Tropical North Queensland is the perfect place to start. Here’s how you can learn while you travel the tropics.
Great Barrier Reef
Marine Touch Tank at Cairns Aquarium
Marine Touch Tank at Cairns Aquarium
Passions of Paradise
Passions of Paradise
Reef Magic's Marine Biologist
Reef Magic's Marine Biologist
Tropical North Queensland is the only place in the world where you can explore two natural World Heritage sites side-by-side – the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 km and teeming with vibrant coral and marine life.
Accessible from Cairns, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation and Mission Beach, the Great Barrier Reef provides an array of educational experiences.
Once you step onto the tropical oasis that is Fitzroy island, you’ll be captivated by the abundance of nature to be explored and enrich your mind. From turtle rehabilitation, touch tanks to marine biology programs and reef restoration activities there’s something for every young mind – the island even offers school excursion programs. Rest assured, Fitzroy Island Resort offers luxurious 4.5-star accommodation, ensuring you’ll have adequate time to fully immerse yourself in exploring the crystal-clear turquoise waters and vibrant coral gardens.
No better way to learn about the reef than from Marine Biology experts at Reef Magic! As you venture out to the great Barrier reef, their Marine Biologists will captivate you with an education presentation, preparing you for all the fascinating creatures that await. Upgrade your experience with a Coral Gardens Tour, where you can have a more intimate experience with one of the Marine Biologists, sharing detailed commentary and up-close encounters over a coral lagoon.
If you’re a marine science enthusiast, Passions of Paradise Tours offers a unique opportunity to step into the shoes (or flippers) of a marine biologist! Explore the Great Barrier Reef, analysing marine life and collecting data firsthand. These marine biology educational tours allow you to gain insights into the crucial work these professionals do for the ocean while actively learning on an eco reef tour.
TIP: Book a Great Barrier Reef tour with a Master Reef Guide to hear expert knowledge about the reef and marine life.
If you’d rather stay on dry land, you can explore the Cairns Aquarium. Learn about Tropical North Queensland’s 11 distinct ecosystems, as well as visit the first Living Coral Biobank and the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. Be educated on the fascinating world of marine biology and behaviours, and you’ll find your mind brimming with captivating facts about sea creatures.
Wet Tropics Rainforest
Daintree Discovery Centre
Daintree Discovery Centre
Skyrail Interpretive App
Skyrail Interpretive App
Downunder Tours
Downunder Tours
The Wet Tropics Rainforest (including the Daintree Rainforest) is one of the oldest surviving tropical rainforests in the world, estimated to be at least 180 million years old.
Soar above an ancient tropical landscape on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, before venturing below and amongst the forest floor, discovering plants and animals found nowhere else on earth. Maximise your learning experience with Skyrail’s Audio Guide and Interpretive App and guided ranger tours.
The Daintree Discovery Centre is the gateway to understanding the wonders of this ancient rainforest. Immerse yourself in an educational tour of interactive exhibits and engaging activities, perfect for all ages, as you journey through the different levels of the rainforest.
The best way to learn on your travels? Ask your tour guide. Local experts are bustling to share their knowledge on the awe-inspiring rainforests that make up our region. Enrich your mind with Daintree Tours’ Enchanting Guided Rainforest tour. Or delve deeper into the Daintree’s rich history through the experiences of an ancient Indigenous culture with Down Under Tours Day Dreaming tour.
Meet the local wildlife
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
There are a thousands of cuddly (and not so cuddly) critters that call Tropical North Queensland home, some of which aren’t found anywhere else in the world. Get up close and personal with Australia’s native animals at one of the wildlife parks around the region and learn all about our local icons.
Embark on a daring encounter with a prehistoric creature at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures or Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, and learn all about the region’s history and our local wildlife with a series of premium wildlife encounters and presentations on offer.
When it comes to wildlife, it would be a missed opportunity to not meet your fluttering butterflies. Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the largest butterfly aviary in the Southern Hemisphere. Here you can learn about the life cycle of native butterflies, join a wildlife volunteer program or get the kids involved in the local schools program.
Immerse yourself in Indigenous Culture
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel
Walkabout Cultural Adventures
Walkabout Cultural Adventures
Wunyami Cultural Tour
Wunyami Cultural Tour
Discover the rich tapestry of Australia’s two oldest living cultures. Local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have continued to thrive in Tropical North Queensland for tens of thousands of years and still have a deep connection to country and culture today.
Experience the Great Barrier Reef through the lens of world’s oldest living culture with Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel. Go deep into the ocean while going deeper into the rich culture of the dreamtime stories with Traditional Custodians.
Or explore Kuku Yalanji land with Walkabout Cultural Adventures and try your luck at throwing a boomerang or catching a mud crab while you learn about the local culture and traditions.
If you thought island adventures were just for snorkelling, then you’d be mistaken. Take your Green Island experience to the next level with the wisdom of a local Indigenous guide on a Wunyami Cultural Tour. Discover the captivating stories and legends associated with the island and the Saltwater people, through interactive activities like fire lighting techniques and clay painting.
Discover a Rich Pioneering History
Paronella Park
Paronella Park
Cairns Museum
Cairns Museum
Historic Village Herberton
Historic Village Herberton
From historical settlements to war artefacts, Tropical North Queensland region is filled with fascinating landmarks and experiences.
Step back in time at the Cairns Museum for a snapshot of the people, places and events that made our region what it is today. Or why not get the real-deal and visit Paronella Park or Historic Village Herberton and become part of the story.
You can even join Cairns Urban Walking Tours on a historical tour to discover the rich history of Cairns City, dating back 40,000 years.
