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REGION: Tropical North Queensland

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Tropical North Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea islands and the Great Barrier Reef to the east and the rainforest mountains that sweep down from the northernmost section of the Great Dividing Range to the west. Inland from the balmy, humid coast, the Atherton Tableland is elevated 600-900m above sea level. Known as the cool tropics, the weather is usually warm and sunny during the day, while nights are cool to cold.

The region offers waterfalls, lush Wet Tropics World Heritage-listed rainforests, idyllic palm-fringed tropical beaches and islands, the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, extinct volcanoes and crater lakes all waiting to be explored. Home to Queensland's most northerly city, eden-like Cairns, the region attracts millions of tourist dollars each year, taking pride of place as an international holiday destination. The townships of tropical North Queensland feature an eclectic combination of colonial tropical architecture, modern resorts and a laid-back lifestyle. Visitors can choose from an array of outdoor activities from sunbathing to snorkelling.

Crater Lakes: Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham have formed in the craters of extinct volcanoes; volcanic activity ceased on the Tablelands around 20 000 years ago. Lake Eacham was an early settler's camp. Aborigines believed it to be haunted and steered clear of the vicinity calling it, No Man's Land of Devil Devils. The lakes offer enchanting rainforest walks, accommodation, picnicking, swimming and cruises; they are also home to the unique rainbow fish. Lake Euramo, located nearby is a third crater lake filled with swamp.

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Tourist info

Tourism Tropical North Queensland

  • Visitor Information Centre
    51 The Esplanade,
    Cairns Qld 4870
  • www.tnq.org.au
  • Ph: (07) 4051 3588
 

Parks/Reserves

  • Daintree NP
  • Lawn Hill NP

latest stories

Port Douglas 1996 - 2007

marisa | 2009-06-02 | Has Port Douglas changed from when I travelled there with my mum in 1996, then travelled there again in 2007? | read more

Tropical House Design

Our tropical homestay at Cow Bay cowbayhomestay | 2009-02-09 | The Daintree Rainforest provides one of the best examples of tropical environments in the world. With an average of temperature of 27 Celsius and about 120 days of rain per year, tropical designed accommodation is a great way to experience life in this part of Queensland. | read more

Rainforest Walk

Enjoy the Lowland Daintree Rainforest walk using the roads around Cow Bay cowbayhomestay | 2009-02-05 | The Lowland Daintree Rainforest can be experienced on a beautiful walk along Buchanan Creek Road in Cow Bay, on Northern Queensland's Daintree Coast. | read more

Cow Bay Beach

Cow Bay Beach, where rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef cowbayhomestay | 2009-02-04 | Cow Bay Beach, north of the Daintree River in Far North Queensland is on the Daintree Coast. Here two World Heritage areas come together in a spectacular fashion: Daintree Rainforest meets The Great Barrier Reef. | read more

 

latest business reviews

Comes recommended

Oaks Lagoon. The view from our balcony. queensland | 2009-06-08 | Good hotel apartment complex in Port Douglas. | read more

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Main Attractions

Daintree NP

  • This wondrous park features ancient rainforest where activities include crocodile-spotting tours, forest walks and birdwatching. Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef, is popular with visitors.

Great Barrier Reef

  • One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the reefs, coral cays and offshore islands are World Heritage-listed and accessed by cruise boats from Cairns and Port Douglas.

Kuranda

  • This resort town's attractions include markets, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld and a Scenic Railway.

Mossman Gorge

  • This is a stunning river gorge filled with giant granite boulders and surrounded by rainforest. The Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal community conduct guided tours.

Port Douglas

  • This quaint village is an upmarket tourist resort and the departure point for the Outer Reef and Low Isles.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

  • The cable cars make their 7.5km journey from Smithfield near Cairns to Kuranda hovering above the treetops.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Centre

  • This park showcases the internationally acclaimed Tjapukai Aboriginal Dance Theatre. There is also a campsite, restaurant and history theatre.

Wooroonooran NP

  • Within this mountain wilderness park are Josephine Falls, The Boulders, Walshs Peak (The Pyramid) and Queensland's highest peaks, Mount Bartle Frere and Mount Bellenden Ker.

editors picks

Cow Bay Beach

Cow Bay Beach, where rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef cowbayhomestay | 2009-02-04 | Cow Bay Beach, north of the Daintree River in Far North Queensland is on the Daintree Coast. Here two World Heritage areas come together in a spectacular fashion: Daintree Rainforest meets The Great Barrier Reef. | read more

Thornton’s Beach at Cape Tribulation

The beach and us marief | 2009-01-19 | A beautiful isolated beach in Tropical North Queensland with historical reference to Captain Cook's discovery of the Eastern Coast of Australia | read more

Yungaburra the Pearl of the Atherton Tablelands

Birdwing Butterfly, Yungaburra, Atherton Tablelands pixelsec | 2008-12-15 | Yungaburra, the ‘pearl’ of the Atherton Tablelands, Tropical North Queensland, Australia. | read more

Rainforest Walk

Enjoy the Lowland Daintree Rainforest walk using the roads around Cow Bay cowbayhomestay | 2009-02-05 | The Lowland Daintree Rainforest can be experienced on a beautiful walk along Buchanan Creek Road in Cow Bay, on Northern Queensland's Daintree Coast. | read more

Tree Kangaroo, yes! some kangaroos live in trees.

Tree Kangaroo pixelsec | 2008-12-22 | Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo inhabits the Atherton Tablelands and can be seen frequently on the Peterson Creek walking track in Yungaburra. | read more

The Atherton Tablelands Attractions Nearby Yungaburra

Lake Tinaroo Egrets pixelsec | 2008-12-15 | A description of The Atherton Tablelands and attractions nearby the township of Yungaburra, Queensland, Australia. | read more

Tropical House Design

Our tropical homestay at Cow Bay cowbayhomestay | 2009-02-09 | The Daintree Rainforest provides one of the best examples of tropical environments in the world. With an average of temperature of 27 Celsius and about 120 days of rain per year, tropical designed accommodation is a great way to experience life in this part of Queensland. | read more

Port Douglas 1996 - 2007

marisa | 2009-06-02 | Has Port Douglas changed from when I travelled there with my mum in 1996, then travelled there again in 2007? | read more

Tourists help save Ningaloo and Great Barrier Reef while diving and snorkelling

Snorkelling with Whale Shark at Ningaloo Reef, WA admin | 2008-10-29 | Knowing us Australians are devoted fisherman, snorkellers, surfers and swimmers, it is great to learn that we can help next time we visit our coral reefs. | read more

Retreat to Atherton located on the Atherton Tablelands for a cool Treechange

Millaa Millaa Falls barkingWeb | 2008-10-06 | The township of Atherton is the central town linking you to the Atherton Tablelands, Cairns Highlands, Tropical Far North Queensland, Australia. No longer "just a day trip" the Atherton Tablelands has so much more to offer with new accommodation, wineries, coffee plantations, wildlife shows, 4wd tours, and even a new cheese and chocolate factory. You can't possibly see all the attractions and tours there is on offer in a day let alone a week and should you book less than a week you will be kicking yourself that you didn't stay longer! | read more

 

 
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