Tropical North Queensland
Tropical North Queensland
Tropical North Queensland is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. It’s home to jungleous rainforests, dramatic waterfalls, vast coral reefs, palm lined beach towns, peaceful nature walks and ancient species. We spent a week in the coastal city of Cairns, branching out and exploring many of the region’s natural wonders.
Cairns, Queensland
Cairns is an adventurous hub and coastal town in Tropical North Queensland, renowned for its access to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. The town is home to restaurants, craft breweries, breakfast cafes, weekend markets and tour operators.
Central Business District (CBD). The CBD is the historic center of Cairns. Its shaded sidewalks and tree lined boulevards are lined with breakfast cafes, restaurants, craft breweries, tour operators and popular weekend markets.
Rusty’s Market. A weekend farmers market with colorful displays of tropical fruits, vegetables, pastries, breads and juices. Artisans sell handmade crafts like beachy jewelry, shell decor, aboriginal artwork and vintage Hawaiian shirts. Thai vendors sell takeaway street food and offer massages.
Cairns Night Market. An evening market with souvenirs shops, a food court, massage spas and nail salons.
Esplanade Lagoon. An outdoor swimming pool with a small sandy beach, series of boardwalks, lush lawns and bbq pits. It’s a popular spot to safely swim and enjoy the tropical atmosphere of Cairns.
Cairns Esplanade. A waterfront promenade spanning the length of Cairns. A series of walkways and boardwalks follow the coast through lush city parks, the esplanade lagoon, marina and restaurant wharf complex.
Cairns Art Gallery. An art museum with galleries displaying contemporary, indigenous and aboriginal artwork. It features works with themes of identity, ancestry, the landscape and creation stories. It’s free to visit!
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. It’s accessible from Cairns on day trips and overnight live aboard. We spent three days snorkeling and diving in the reef. Read our full guide here, The Great Barrier Reef.
Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest is the world’s oldest surviving rainforest. It dates back 180 million years to the time of dinosaurs and the supercontinent Gondwana. The rainforest is a refuge for ancient species, tropical flora and jungleous landscapes.
Cape Tribulation Wilderness Cruises. A boat cruise along the crocodile inhabited Copper Creek. Dense mangrove trees and mangled root structures line its banks. Verdant rainforest blankets the inland terrain. Murky river water gradually mixes with the turquoise seawater of the delta. The occasional alligator is seen sunning on land and lurking beneath the surface of the water.
Cape Tribulation Beach. A remote place referred to as the “most dangerous beach in the world.” Its waters are inhabited by jellyfish, crocodiles and sharks. A nature trail leads through the tropical rainforest to a lookout point above the beach’s southern point. The shoreline meanders to a mangrove forest at its northern tip.
Madja Botanical Walk. A nature walk through the wetlands of the tropical forest. The trail passes beneath a dense canopy of fan palms, giant ferns, climbing vines, spiky plants and several hundred year old trees. It continues through a muddy and flooded mangrove forest. The hum of insects and songs of birds resonate in the air.
Mossman Gorge. A jungleous river gorge with nature trails, lookout points and beaches. River pools offer places to swim in the clear and cool water. Granite boulders of all sizes speckle the riverbed as verdant trees tower over its banks. Insects and birds can be spotted resting on leaves and perched in the tree top canopy.
Daintree Ice Cream Company. An ice cream shop serving exotic and tropical flavors made with fruit grown on the property. Try a combination of wattleseed, black sapote, mango, coconut and soursop.
Experience Daintree. A tour operator in Port Douglas offering day trips to the Daintree Rainforest. Book on Viator.
Kuranda Forest
A tropical jungle with densely forested mountains, verdant landscapes and massive waterfalls. The forest is accessible from Cairns by a historic train line and scenic cable car.
Kuranda Scenic Railway. A historic railway with scenic views of the Kuranda Forest, its gorges, ridges, rivers and waterfalls. Antique carriages shuttle passengers along a series of twists, tunnels and bridges between Cairns and the Kuranda Village. The journey lasts about 2 hours including a brief stop at Barron Falls Lookout. Reserve tickets in advance here.
Barron Falls. A massive rainforest waterfall in the Barron Gorge. A trickling stream of water flows over the craggily black stone gorge and cliffside pools during the dry season. It’s raging waters are best seen during the wet season from December to February.
Stoney Creek Falls. A cascading waterfall flowing down the face of tall rocky cliff. It’s visible from the Scenic Railway.
Kuranda Sky Rail. A series of cable cars suspended above the lush treetop canopy of the Kuranda Forest. They offer panoramic views of the mountainous rainforest, its rivers and gorges. Stations at Barron Falls and Red Peak provide opportunities to explore nature trails surrounded by towering trees and tropical plants. Reserve tickets in advance here.
Kuranda Village. A mountain village in the middle of the Kuranda Forest. Its main street is lined with ice cream shops, souvenir stores, aboriginal art galleries and small zoos. The Scenic Railway and Sky Rail make stops here.
Pro Tip. Ride the Scenic Railway up and take the Sky Rail down.
Bird World Kuranda. An avian park with “free roaming” Australian and tropical birds like macaws, parquets, cockatoos, finches, ducks and a cassowary. Come here to feed the birds seeds, nuts, crackers and fruits by hand.
The Cassowary. An ancient and endangered bird native to Queensland’s tropical forests. It’s one the closest living relatives to the dinosaurs and the third largest avian species. They’re recognizable by their blue and red faces, head top casque, black feathered body and three toed feet with large talons.
Kuranda Koala Gardens. A small zoo with endemic species of Australian animals like the koala, kangaroo, wallaby, crocodile, wombat and quokka. Come here to observe the animals close in their open air enclosures. Walk through the kangaroo and wallaby pen to hand feed the hopping marsupials pellets of grain.
Beach Towns
Palm Cove. A small beach town with palm covered beaches and boutique resorts. It’s located 30 minutes north of Cairns by car.
Palm Cove Beach. A white sand beach lined with tropical palm groves and turquoise blue waters. Come here to lounge on shore or at one of the many beachside restaurants, cafes or bars. There is a netted and swimmable area south of the pier.
Nu Nu Restaurant. A beachfront restaurant on Palm Cove Beach with an outdoor patio overlooking the swaying palm groves and turquoise sea. Come here for afternoon cocktails and Aussie bites.
Buchans Point. A tan sand beach with a clothing option section towards its south end. It’s a freeing spot to enjoy the coastal breeze and palm shaded shores. The beach is located just north of Palm Cove.
Port Douglas. A coastal town located between the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. It’s a popular place with access and excursions to both natural wonders.
Macrossan Street. The Main Street through Port Douglas. The jungelous boulevard is lined with vacation rentals, beachwear shops, clothing boutiques, aboriginal art gallery’s, sports pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Four Mile Beach. A lengthy tan sand beach lining the shores of Port Douglas. It’s a relaxing place for beach walks, sunbathing and swimming. There is a netted and guarded section with nearby the north end.
Flagstaff Hill Walking Trail. A coastal trail with hillside views of Four Mile Beach and the deep blue ocean. Hike the trail an hour before sunset to watch for tropical birds like parquets and cockatoos.
Places to Eat & Drink
Prawn Stars. A floating seafood restaurant on a series of trawler boats in the marina. Come here for a kilo of the “Bugs,” a type of crustacean also known as slipper lobsters.
Dundees on the Waterfront. An elevated restaurant along the waterfront wharf with Australian dishes and cuisine. Come here for the seafood tower with local mud crab, bay bugs, prawns, fried calamari, barramundi oysters and mussels. Reservations are recommended!
Flamingo Tiki Bar. A modern tiki bar with a vast menu of inventive cocktails and classic tiki drinks. Come here for the happy hour tiki drink of the day between 4-6pm.
Waffles on Cairns. A brunch spot specializing in everything waffles. Come for their sweet and savory waffles or waffle breakfast sandwiches.
Mi Piace Espresso Bar. A breakfast place with fancified egg dishes, speciality pancakes and smooth coffees.
Sugio Cafe. An all day cafe and coffee shop with Japanese dishes and matcha lattes.
Hemingway Brewery. A waterfront brewery along The Esplanade with a series of locally brewed craft beers. Try the 7th Heaven Tropical Ale!
Australian Cuisine
Bay Bugs. A type of crustacean somewhere between a prawn and lobster with a sweet seafood flavor. They’re often served cold cut in half.
Mud Crab. Large crabs harvested from the mangrove forests and estuaries. They’re a local delicacy served at many seafood restaurants.
Barramundi. A white fish native to North Eastern Australia. It’s commonly fried and served as fish & chips.
Meat Pies. Savory pies made with buttery crusts and meaty fillings are popular across Australia. Vegan meat and veggie options are difficult to find.
Toasties. A buttered and griddled sandwich usually with a cheesy filling and protein. It’s often served at breakfast, lunch or on the go.
Aussie Coffee. Coffee shops and cafes sell local coffee beverages like the Flat White and Long Black. The flat white is essentially a double shot latte while the long black is another name for an Americano.
Vegemite. A yeasty sandwich spread made from fermented barley. It has a savory and umami flavor to it. Try a thin spread on buttered toast or bread.
Tim Tams. Two sandwiched chocolate cookies covered in rich milk chocolate.
Pavlova. A traditional Australian dessert made from flamed merengue lathered with berry jams and fruits.
Good to Know
Pronunciation. Cairns is pronounced as Cans with long emphasis on the “a.”
Cash vs Card. Credit and debt card are the most common forms of payment. Cash is rarely used but accepted.
Tipping. Tipping is not generally expected in Australia. It’s common to round up on most bills or leave 5-10% at higher end restaurants.
Beware of Crocs. Crocodiles are prevalent in the creeks and coastal waters of Cairns. Avoid entering or approaching any non-designated beaches or waterways.
Stinger Season. The time of year when poisonous jellyfish inhabit the coastal waters of tropical North Queensland. Stinger season starts in late October and lasts until May. Only swim in netted areas or with a wetsuit when in the reef.
Sun Protection. The UV is often extreme on sunny days. It best to wear sun cream with a minimum of 50 SPF. Make sure it’s reef friendly if going in the water!
When to Visit. The end of Spring in mid October is one of the best times of year to visit tropical north Queensland. The temperature is warm, days are sunny and waters are typically calm.
Getting Around
On Foot. The streets and promenade of the CBD are easily walkable and best explored on foot.
By Uber. Getting around town outside of the CBD is best by Uber. Avoid calling an uber during the morning and late afternoon rush hours.
By Car. The rainforest and beach towns north of Cairns are best reachable by rental car. We rented a car from Sixt at the airport for a few days of our travels here.
Where to Stay
Cairns Airbnb. An apartment rental located about 15 minutes from the CBD in a residential area of Cairns. The private space has a fully functional kitchen, comfy bed and spacious outdoor patio. Book on Airbnb.
Elsewhere in Australia
We traveled for over a month in Australia, visiting worldly cities, beautiful national parks and natural wonders along the country’s east and west coasts as well as the famed Outback. Explore the energetic and beautiful city of Brisbane. Relax on the beaches and surf the waves of Byron Bay. Dive into the underwater wonders of The Great Barrier Reef. Roadtrip between coastal towns and national parks along The Coral Coast, Western Australia. Visit the remote landscapes of and Uluru & The Outback.
For Next Time…
One week is barely enough time to experience Tropical North Queensland. Australia and this region of the country are high on our list to return to one day. These are just a few of the natural wonders we’ll come back to visit.
Walshs Pyramid. A freestanding mountain, naturally shaped like a pyramid. Hiking trails lead around the mountain’s base and to its verdant summit.
Kahlpahlim Rock (Lambs Head) Lookout. A rainforest mountain peak characterized by its large granite boulders. It’s accessible after a rigorous hike through the tropical terrain.
Whitsunday Islands National Park & Whitehaven Beach. A chain of islands famed for their powdery white sand beaches, multicolored blue waters and coral reefs.
Undara Volcanic National Park. A national park home to Australia’s largest lava tube, volcanic craters and though not tropical, lush savannas of grasses and trees.
Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park. A national park with large limestone formations, underground caves, hiking trails and aboriginal rock art.
Torres Strait Islands. An archipelago located between the northern tip of Queensland the southern shores of Papa New Guinea. It’s home to an array of ecological diversity and indigenous peoples.
