aerial babinda boulders

Travel with Purpose

Nurture Great. Leave Greater.

Travel with purpose
in the tropics

In Tropical North Queensland, a deep connection to Country shapes the way we experience and care for this remarkable region. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners have enduring connections to Country, with knowledge and cultural practices passed down through generations. Today, visitors can discover these connections through Traditional Owner experiences, conservation initiatives and nature-based experiences across the region. Here you can find two natural World Heritage wonders side by side; home to some unique flora and fauna found no where else on the planet. Explore the unique wilderness on an Eco Certified experience, join a Traditional Owner to discover a timeless connection to country, or contribute to reef restoration initiatives when you visit the Great Barrier Reef.

GBR biology laboratory
Reef Magic

See it. Love it. Protect it.

As a region enclosed by vast wildernesses and natural World Heritage icons, caring for the environment and unique wildlife is at the heart of the Tropical North Queensland experience. A visit offers the chance to experience these natural wonders up close and discover the people and projects working to care for them.

Visiting the Great Barrier Reef can help support the work that cares for this remarkable place. Tourism contributes to reef management and research, while operators on land and water are involved in conservation projects across the region.

Conservation projects & initiatives

Skyrail rainforest discovery
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Choose Eco Certified experiences

Recognised certification schemes like Ecotourism Australia and EarthCheck can help travellers identify tourism businesses that have been assessed against defined environmental and sustainability criteria and provide high-quality nature-based tourism experiences.

Tropical North Queensland has the highest concentration of Ecotourism Australia certified experiences in Australia, so it’s easy to choose experiences that have been recognised for their approach to nature-based tourism and environmental practices.

Eco Certified experiences & accommodation 

mossman gorge cultural tour
Mossman Gorge Centre

Cultural connection

For thousands of years, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Traditional Owners have enduring connections to Country as custodians to the unique natural landscapes of Tropical North Queensland and have protected them with upmost care and respect.

Join a Traditional Owner-led experience to delve deeper into their timeless connection with the land and participate in authentic on-country experiences, from foraging bush tucker and medicines, visiting rock art sites or attending inspiring Indigenous events.

Indigenous experiences

coral nursery great barrier reef
Coral Nurture Program

Paying it forward

In Tropical North Queensland, tourism and science are working together on practical projects that support the health of the region’s natural environments.

Did you know that visitor contributions to the Great Barrier Reef support management, research and conservation? Or that some operators, like Passions of Paradise or Sailaway, also support restoration projects as part of their visitor experience, for example, planting trees for passengers who travel with them? Or that you can contribute to initiatives like the Coral Nurture Program, which collects coral fragments to grow in nurseries that are then outplanting them back on the reef?

Ways to support reef conservation

From the reef to the rainforest, ECO Certified regions make it easier to discover nature-based experiences with purpose. These destinations combine unforgettable experiences with recognised environmental practices, giving you another way to explore Tropical North Queensland while caring for the places that make it so special.

Visit ECO Certified Regions

Our Promise
of Greater Good

Is about continually improving for the benefit of local cultures, communities and unique environments.

Our promise is to ourselves, to each other, to country, to protect one of the most important and biodiverse natural regions in the world for current and future generations. 

View with Japanese subtitles
View with Chinese subtitles

Explore, connect and contribute

From supporting conservation to connecting with Country, there are plenty of ways to explore Tropical North Queensland with purpose.

Tropical Lifestyle & Culture
Eco certified experiences to do in Tropical North Queensland

Tropical North Queensland has the highest concentration of Eco certified experiences in Australia. Here’s a list of Eco certified experiences to enjoy, offering memorable ways to connect with Tropical North Queensland’s natural landscapes while supporting operators recognised for their environmental practices.

Read more
Mount Mulligan
Tropical Lifestyle & Culture
8 ways to travel with purpose in Tropical North Queensland

From choosing recognised Eco Certified experiences to supporting local businesses and participate in regenerative programs, there are plenty of thoughtful ways to explore Tropical North Queensland while caring for the places and communities you visit.

Read more
Tolga Bat Hospital
Tropical Lifestyle & Culture
Conscious travel: How to travel Tropical North Queensland for a cause

Take nothing but photographs, leave only footprints and discover ways to support the people, places and projects caring for Tropical North Queensland.

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ccs crystalbrook
Eco Certified
A Guide to Tropical North Queensland’s Local Food Scene

From utilising organic and locally sourced produce to reducing food waste with Green Food Australia, these restaurants in Tropical North Queensland are not only delicious, but but focus on environmental initiatives too. 

Read more
Island Stars Dance Troupe performing on the beach at Prince of Wales Island in the Torres Strait
Indigenous Culture
Ways to connect with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander cultures

Tropical North Queensland is the only region in Australia with two distinct Indigenous cultures, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Connect with these ancient cultures 60,000 years in the making.

Read more
coral nursery great barrier reef
Cairns & Northern Beaches
Travel the Tropics With a Purpose

Now more than ever, we're looking for ways to connect with the places we visit and leave with a deeper appreciation for the landscapes, wildlife and cultures that make them special.

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Great Barrier Reef
Everything you need to know about Master Reef Guides

Anyone who’s ever done an organised tour will know the host or tour guide can make or break the experience. That’s why it pays to book a Great Barrier Reef tour with one of the Master Reef Guides, the official ambassadors of the world’s most famous reef.

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Riley Pool
Cairns & Northern Beaches
Thoughtful Luxury at Crystalbrook Collection

If you haven’t met them already, there are three hotel siblings in Cairns you should really know by name - Riley, Bailey and Flynn. 

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Fishing from sand cay on East Coast Angling fishing charter
Cairns & Northern Beaches
Responsible Fishing Experiences in Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef

From reef fishing adventures to seafood experiences showcasing local flavours, Tropical North Queensland offers plenty of ways to connect with the region’s waterways.  Discover fishing operators and experiences that follow responsible practices, respect marine environments and share the stories of the people who know these waters best.

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Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel
Cairns & Northern Beaches
Reef Dreaming: Discover the Reef with Indigenous Rangers

As you discover the Great Barrier Reef, uncover the culture of the Traditional Custodians with personal interpretation by local Indigenous rangers on Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel.

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Jarramali Rock Art Tours
Cooktown & Cape York
Experience an incredible Aboriginal rock art tour

Discover what true connection to country feels like at a 20,000-year-old Aboriginal rock art gallery with Jarramali Rock Art Tours. Fly in via a scenic helicopter or jump in a 4WD with a Traditional Owner guide for the full overnight experience.

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Walkabout Cultural Adventures crab
Tropical Lifestyle & Culture
Mudcrab to mangoes: your guide to eating local in Cairns

From earthy bush tucker and exotic fruits to ocean-caught seafood and a biodynamic dairy farm, Tropical North Queensland offers up a menu with a unique ingredients list.

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master reef guides great barrier reef
Great Barrier Reef
Ways to help the great barrier reef

There’s a sense of responsibility that comes when you’re visiting one of the world’s seven wonders; a calling to nurture nature. If leaving only footprints (or fin waves in this case) is high on your priority list, here are some ways you can help the Great Barrier Reef during your next holiday.

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Tips

  • To get the most out of your Great Barrier Reef experience, opt for a reef tour with a Master Reef Guide on board.

  • Learn about the land with the people who have protected it for thousands of years. From camping on country with Traditional Custodians, learning about the stars or hunting in the mangroves. Discover Indigenous Tours.

  • Taste more of the region by dining at cafes and restaurants that source produce locally.

  • When you can, hire a bike or walk rather than drive to get around. Places like the Cairns CBD,  Palm Cove, Port Douglas and Mission Beach are perfect for this.

  • Choose Eco Certified accommodation, switch off and enjoy a stay that’s thoughtfully connected to the natural beauty of the tropics.

     

  • Support local. Choose locally-owned markets, shops, restaurants, tours and accommodation.

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