VISIT TROPICAL NORTH QLD

The Queensland Travel Guide acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which North Queensland is situated. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continued spiritual and cultural connections to Country.  

Far North Queensland or FNQ as the locals refer to it, is as geography dictates, the northernmost part of Queensland. With FNQ’s capital city – the vibrant and spirited Cairns – best known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. 

Cairns is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most loved destinations, a place that has established itself as the créme de la créme of North Queensland holiday destinations. Up to two million tourists visit Cairns every year to witness the outstanding natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the natural world.  

Surrounded by ancient tropical rainforests and UNESCO World Heritage highlights, Cairns is the ideal jumping off point for adventure seekers. Fusing hearty hospitality with balmy temperatures, a trip to Cairns is a visit to a subtropical oasis. 

Then just a five hour (drive) south of Cairns, you have Townsville, a fabulous holiday destination to suit all manner of interests. Popular Townville tourist attractions include strolling along the two kilometre long seaside foreshore – the Strand Esplanade – with water parks and cafes; hiking up Castle Hill for spectacular views over the city and Magnetic Island; and observing turtles, sharks and stingrays at Reef HQ, the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium. The palm fringed beaches of popular Magnetic Island are only a short boat ride away. 

Townsville’s Museum of Underwater Art is currently the only underwater art museum in the Southern Hemisphere and is one of the most popular activities in Townsville for scuba divers.

From taking once-in-a-lifetime boat tours to island locations where you can snorkel with the fish, to learning about indigenous culture, to dining outdoors in alfresco cafes, to checking out lively backpackers bars, Tropical North Queensland is a place like no other.

With proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Site on the coastline between Cooktown and Townsville, travellers and tourists visiting Far North Queensland will be amazed by the endless offerings of wild, natural beauty.

Plan Your Trip With Our Tropical North Queensland Guides

  • Best things to do in Kuranda
    Are you planning a trip to Kuranda? This article covers all the very best things to do in Kuranda, including tourist attractions, activities and places to visit. The Queensland Travel Guide acknowledges the Djabugay People, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Kuranda is situated. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present
  •  Best things to do in Townsville
    Heading north and wondering what to do in Townsville?  This article covers the best things to do in Townsville, including tourist attractions, activities and places to visit. The Queensland Travel Guide acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun, Bindal, Gugu Badhun and Nywaigi; the Traditional Custodians of the Townsville region.  We pay our respects to
  • Best things to do in Cairns
    Are you planning to visit Cairns?  This article covers the best things to do in Cairns, including tourist attractions, activities and places to visit. The Queensland Travel Guide acknowledges the Djabugay; Yirriganydji; Yidinji and Gunggandji peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Cairns region. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging, and