Where to go
Cairns’ southern region is an area of breathtaking natural beauty with a whole lot of country charm. Dive into refreshing swimming holes, tackle spectacular hiking trails, sink a cold one at a rustic pub or discover untouched Great Barrier Reef Islands.
Babinda passionately competes with nearby Tully for the title of Australia’s wettest town with an average rainfall of over four metres. This rain feeds the town’s most iconic attraction, Babinda Boulders.
Cool off in the refreshing swimming hole and take a walk on the Devil’s Pool walk to discover incredible views and the tragic Dreamtime story of Oolana and Dyga. Utilise the free barbeque facilities or stock up on a picnic lunch with treats from the famous Babinda Bakery.
Whenever a Cairns local is returning home from the south, the first thing they look out for is the iconic Walshs Pyramid (Yidinji: Djarragun) of Gordonvale. Whilst beautiful from below, it’s also a popular hiking track, climbing 3kms to reach the summit at 922m, and rewarding you with 360º views over canefields and rainforest.
Each August, Gordonvale plays host to the Great Pyramid Race where participants tackle a 12km course from the township to the top and back. It’s quite the affair with celebrations running all day and night.
You’ll often feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you explore the townships in rural Australia. Life moves a little slower, the people are relaxed and friendly, with a cold drink and a hearty pub feed always nearby.
Listen to live music and enjoy a coldie overlooking the Little Mulgrave River at the Mountain View Hotel, catch a movie at the historic Babinda Munro Theatre, step back in time at the Babinda Museum or find trinkets and toffee at the Gordonvale Cottage Markets each month. During harvest season, the air is aromatic with the smell of sugar cane which is grown in abundance throughout the region.
If waterfalls and hiking are on your list of favourite things, Behana Gorge is unmissable. Your undulating 3.2km walk to Clamshell Falls, the main attraction, is rewarded with a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear waters running off Queensland’s second tallest mountain.
If you’re up for an adrenaline fix, you can zipline, slide, leap or jump aboard with Cairns Canyoning who operate canyoning tours down the gorge.
Whether you’re a beachcomber, an island dreamer, a rainforest soul, or like to tough it out on an overnight hike, you’ll find a great place to camp through this region.
Free camping sites are located at Greenpatch Reserve in Gordonvale, Babinda Rotary Park and Babinda Boulders, while holiday parks can be found at Fishery Falls or Bramston Beach. Queensland Parks camping grounds can be found at Russell River, Wooroonooran and Frankland Island National Parks.
Combine reef, rainforest and river into one spectacular adventure to the Frankland Islands. Tours depart from the small village of Deeral and cruise down the Mulgrave River before reaching rainforest-clad Normanby Island, fringed with stunning coral reef and full of marine life.
Camp at High and Russell Islands, accessible via your own boat or Frankland Island Reef Cruises can arrange transfers to Russell Island only.
When your waterfall comes with its own natural waterslide, you know it’s going to be good. Discover the pristine waters of Josephine Falls flowing directly off Queensland’s highest mountain.
The eastern trailhead for Mount Bartle Frere departs just by the Josephine Falls carpark.
Swim in only designated swimming areas and always follow the advice from Queensland Parks and never venture into out of bounds zones, flooded waters or dangerous areas to prevent serious injury or death. Be alert during the wetter months or in stormy weather as water may rise rapidly.
Just near Deeral on your way south from Cairns to Babinda, the Mulgrave and Russell Rivers converge. These systems make a great place to wet the line, whether you fish from near the boat ramps, bring your own boat or book a tour with an operator like Fish Tales Charters Cairns. Always remember to be croc-wise in croc country.
Eubenangee Swamp, near the town of Mirriwinni, is a birdwatchers’ paradise. Take the 1.5km walking track for the opportunity to see over 190 bird species.
Visit Bramston Beach for a relaxing, uncrowded beach getaway. Pick a spot of sand on the 11km of beach and look out for the pod of humpback dolphins that often cruise the bay. It’s not uncommon to catch fish right from the beach here. Southern Cassowaries are often spotted in the area.
Hire a kayak or SUP from Babinda Kayaking and paddle your way down Babinda Creek. Bring a picnic lunch, spot turtles and fish and take on some mini rapids for a great day out. Dogs are welcome.
The 19km Goldfield Trail connects Babinda Boulders to Goldsborough Valley, with a campsite situated at a causeway crossing approximately halfway. The full trail can be completed by foot only, but bikers are able to complete the first half of the trail from Goldsborough.
Find out what else there is to do while you’re here.
If you’re into adventure and nature, point your compass south and explore Cairns’ under-the-radar southern corridor – a region of breathtaking natural beauty with a whole lot of country charm.
Looking for an eco-certified river, reef and rainforest adventure in Tropical North Queensland? Think Frankland Islands.
Surrounded by national parks, World Heritage rainforest and the Great Dividing Range, find countless bush walks or hikes within a short distance of Cairns.
Are your campsites better described as camp palaces, or do you just roll with the bare essentials? Whether you’re at one end of the spectrum or the other, lace up your hiking shoes, load up your 4WD (or hatchback) and string your fairy lights around these camping sites 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.
Spanning 457km down Australia’s East Coast, the drive from Cairns to Townsville encompasses waterfalls, wetlands, mountains, and plenty of friendly country towns.
If you’re looking to connect with nature and discover a rainforest that’s the oldest, longest and largest in Australia, go behind the foliage with this guide to the five precincts of the Wet Tropics.
From mild to wild, there’s endless opportunities for rainforest adventures in Tropical North Queensland.
Trail runners and bushwalkers are spoilt for choice in Tropical North Queensland. It’s hard to put a figure on how many trails there are but trust me, there are hundreds. Situated in lush, heritage-listed rainforest, the Goldfields Trail, between Babinda and Goldsborough Valley, is one of the most iconic in the region.
You live for adventure on two wheels in exotic landscapes. And the most exotic landscape of all, the awe-inspiring World Heritage rainforest of Tropical North Queensland, is calling out to you.
While you’re in the area, see what’s on nearby.
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