Experiences You Can Only Have In Tropical North Queensland

Boasting spectacular reefs, rainforest, rivers and rare wildlife, Tropical North Queensland is as tough as it is awe-inspiring. Even tropical cyclones can’t keep it down.

The tropical north of Australia was hit hard in December 2023 by Tropical Cyclone Jasper which brought with it much damage and extraordinary heartache. While the community rallied immediately to support those who needed it most, widespread visitor cancellations only added to the economic strife. Some areas bounced back quickly in true Queensland style, while others in the north have only recently reopened after a lonely and costly few months. Now all are throwing open their hospitable arms with gusto.

Here we’ve rounded up seven excellent reasons to head north to experience its delights, escape the winter chills and support Aussie-owned businesses. That’s a win win win.

A bucket-list stay in Cairns

The international entrance to Tropical North Queensland, Cairns is the gateway to the reef. From backpackers to five-star stays, like the spacious Pullman near the waterfront or spirited Crystalbrook Riley where it’s all about fun, accommodation choices abound.

an aerial view of a woman relaxing by the pool at Crystalbrook Riley, Cairns — Soak up the tropical heat by the pool at Crystalbrook Riley.

Foodies can toss back oysters and nibble ceviche and rainbow trout tostadas in the vibing Calypso Club rum and seafood bar or share Middle Eastern bites from on high at rooftop bar Rocco. Drop into The Chambers Café to discover why the locals keep coming back for the Bubble & Squeak Croquettes, head to waterfront Salt House for seafood and cocktails or Miss Chief Bar & Eatery for modern Asian fare with flair.

plated meals at Rocco by Crystalbrook — Devour Mediterranean dishes at Rocco by Crystalbrook. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Fancy a drink? Tucked down an alley, Three Wolves serves up whiskey and bourbon-inspired drinks and delectable bites, while straight across the lane light-hearted Wolf Lane Distillery is the place for handcrafted tropical gins and liqueurs and more excellent cocktails.

Kuranda scenic railway — The Kuranda Scenic Railway delivers views of tropical rainforest and waterfalls. (Image: Queensland Rail Travel)

Add some art and culture at the expansive Cairns Art Gallery with an impressive calendar of exhibitions and Indigenous art, and don’t miss the Kuranda Scenic Rail trip, wending through forest and past waterfalls to Kuranda, 40 minutes out of town.

friends walking through the Original Rainforest Markets in Kuranda — Find everything from local arts to delicious eats at Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland/James Vodicka)

Foodie trails in the Atherton Tablelands

The food bowl of the region, the Atherton Tablelands is a living mosaic of fertile fields laced with creeks and bushlands, bursting with fruits and nuts. There’s no better way to take in its spectacle than by drifting over the plains with a Hot Air Balloon as the sun rises, followed by bubbles and brekkie to start the day.

Hot Air Balloons in flight in Atherton Tablelands — Welcome a new day while drifting over the plains of the Atherton Tablelands. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Back on the ground, why not sample the foodie delights borne of the rich, volcanic soils, like freshly roasted coffee and chocolate treats at Coffee Works , the flavours of agave and rum at innovative boutique distillery Mt Uncle Distillery or wines made from red mangoes at Golden Drop Winery , the world’s first commercial mango winery. Beyond bevvies, snack with water views at historic Lake Barrine Teahouse , check out the cheeses at Gallo Dairyland and finish with tropical fruit treats at Emerald Creek Ice-Creamery .

Mt Uncle Distillery Atherton Tablelands — Stop by Mt Uncle Distillery for a tasting. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Don’t panic if food’s not your thing. Instead, you could take a dip in a volcanic crater at Lake Eacham , wander the quaint village of Yungaburra, delve into the area’s significant military history at Tolga Museum or marvel at the magical Curtain Fig Tree.

Two people swimming in Lake Eacham — Make time for swim in a volcanic crater at Lake Eacham. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Unbeatable entertainment at Savannah in the Round

In an event set to rock the Cairns hinterland, the Mareeba Rodeo Arena will come alive from 11-13th October with Savannah in the Round, an exhilarating three-day and night country music and camping festival.

Revellers gather at Savannah In The Round — Revellers gather at Savannah in the Round. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Featuring soulful Nashville-based Kip Moore as well as Aussie music legends like Lee Kernaghan, Hoodoo Gurus, Living Legends, Jon Stevens and indie pop band Sheppard, the event has dozens of artists lined up to perform on multiple stages over the long weekend.

Got your own van, tent or swag? There are sites for that, or you can Rent a Tent in the pop-up village. If you prefer your music camping festivals with a bit of luxury, pre-set up glamping bell tents with comfy beds, furnishings, linen and lighting supplied may be the go.

Loads of onsite food options will be available so no one goes hungry and bars will keep the revelling going. More information and tickets are available online now.

Reef and rainforest at Cape Tribulation

Land of the Yalanji people, Cape Tribulation is the only place on earth where two world heritage-listed sites directly connect—the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Only here can visitors explore the untouched 135 million-year-old rainforests and the next minute embrace the magic of the fringing reef. Add in isolated beaches, 4WD adventures, wildlife spotting and mountain hikes and it’s truly bucket list material.

Don’t miss the opportunity to ride a horse through forest and along the beach on a guided tour with Cape Trib Horse Rides and cool down in Mason’s (croc-free) swimming hole.

To get the adrenalin rushing, a thrilling speed boat ride with Ocean Safari out to the reef for a half-day eco-tour with snorkelling may be the ticket. Ever eaten a soursop or rollinia? (Hint: they’re tropical fruits). A tour with Cape Trib Farm will introduce you to these and more. Stay longer at Safari Lodge cabins or campsite so you’ve got time to take it all in.

Tropical fruits in Far North Queensland — Find all kinds of tropical fruits on offer. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

After the cape was cut off completely for three months, thankfully the connecting decimated roads have recently re-opened (with some restrictions) and visits are back on. Check with suppliers for updated road and tour information.

The wonders of the Great Barrier Reef

What’s a trip to Tropical North Queensland without taking in the wonders of the reef? Spanning over 2,300 kilometres down the coast, there’s a multitude of locations and ways to see it. Departing from Cairns, Reef Magic operates day trips to the outer reef where guests can snorkel in the sheltered coral lagoon taking in the colours and critters of the reef in the water, in a glass-bottomed boat or at the underwater viewing aquarium. Marine biologists as well as cultural guides are on hand too.

Woman and man snorkel with a turtle on the Great Barrier Reef — Nowhere on earth is quite like the Great Barrier Reef. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Of course, the reef isn’t just about snorkelling and diving. For something special, Nautilus Aviation can deliver guests to the pontoon by helicopter for a dramatic entrance and spectacular views on the way, and they also provide a range of shared scenic flights in the area. You can even ride an underwater scooter , travel in a mini-submarine or sleep under the stars on the reef.

The Milky Way above the Great Barrier Reef as seen from Reef Sleep — Reef Sleep gives guests an unbeatable experience of the Great Barrier Reef. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

One-of-kind wildlife encounters

From crocs to cassowaries, flying foxes to frogs, wild creatures are in abundance in the tropics. In fact, the Daintree is home to more than 3,000 species of plants, nearly half of Australia’s bird species and a third of our mammal species, 13 of which are endemic. Some you might want to get close to, others not so much.

A cassowary in the wild — It’s best to keep your distance if you spot a cassowary in the wild. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

At Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas an eco-certified wildlife sanctuary, you can interact with Aussie animals in five spacious created natural environments, feed wallabies or spot tree kangaroos. In the heart of Kuranda, visitors are guaranteed an experience with the region’s famous Ulysses and Cairns Birdwing butterflies at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary with over 1500 butterflies in its enclosed dome.

Marvel at over 1500 butterflies inside the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Family-run FNQ Nature Tours offer fabulous opportunities to meet the local wildlife on small-group day and nocturnal tours accompanied by expert guides who know the best places for wildlife spotting, and lots more besides. Never spotted a platypus in the wild? With a 90 per cent success rate at spotting wild platypus, take a tour with these guys and the odds are with you. Bird-watchers and photographers are catered for with part or multi-day tours with like-minded seekers.

Tropical delights in Port Douglas and Mossman Gorge

Relaxed tropical Port Douglas is the perfect launch pad to explore this Queensland region. With an abundance of accommodation options, world-class dining, boutiques, funky bars and hip cafes, there’s a lot to keep you busy and thoroughly sated in town and a world of adventures and natural delights just beyond.

Start the morning with local fave The Little Larder or Whileaway Books & Café if you fancy books with breakfast, lunch on freshly-caught barramundi at Choo Choos at the Marina and sup on seafood, sangria and Spanish-inspired snacks at Seabean Spanish Bar & Tapas , and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Silky Oaks Lodge provides treehouse luxury or chill out in 58 hectares of private forest at Thala Beach Nature Reserve .

Unwind at Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree Rainforest.

With millions of years of ancient history to uncover, Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre at the entrance to the Daintree is an excellent place to get your bearings. Your Indigenous guide on a Dreamtime Walk will reveal some of the secrets of the forest and their own relationship with it or you soak up its wonders yourself on a self-guided walk.

a woman sitting on a huge rock at Mossman Gorge — Experience the magic of Mossman Gorge. (Image: Silky Oaks Lodge)

For more inspiration read our guide to visiting Tropical North Queensland.

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

These are experiences you can only have in Tropical North Queensland