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Tropical North Queensland |
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This corner of Queensland has many extraordinary natural attractions. 2 of the most well known are The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Both of which should not be missed on a visit to this tropical region. Even if you don't want to get wet you should take a cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef. The colours and range of coral and fish are sensational. You can see all of this on a semi-submersible or underwater viewing platform for those who are not into snorkelling or diving. Diving is available to anyone with reasonable fitness. You don't need to be certified as first time divers can go down with an instructor (known as a resort dive). I was so hooked after my first experience, I went 3 times and bought the video! |
SwimmingIt is important to note that the Box Jellyfish inhabit the waters around the coast, mainly during the months of October - May, so swimming off the beaches that don't have nets is not safe. As the Jellyfish breed in the estuaries they only travel as far as the coast and swimming off the islands or on the Great Barrier Reef is perfectly safe year round. |
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Accommodation |
The region is split up into various townships along the coast. Most of the action happens in and around Cairns. This is where all the day tours operate from and the vast majority of accommodation is found. Below is a table of drive times to give you an idea of the geography:
All of the tour operators pick up from Cairns and Palm Cove hotels. Some tour operators pickup from Port Douglas accommodation i.e Quicksilver and Australian Pacific Tours for the Daintree. When choosing where to stay it is important to decide what sort of a holiday experience you are looking for. i.e Romantic getaway relaxing around the pool, sightseeing packed or a combination of both.
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Cairns Accommodation: |
Hotels range from hotel/resort style at
reasonable cost to self contained apartments to deluxe 5 star. In Cairns
you can walk or take a short taxi ride to all the restaurants and shops.
It is important to point out that Cairns lies on a harbour and does
not have a natural swimming beach. A man-made lagoon with beach has
recently been completed for year round swimming in Cairns. 4 Star: Tradewinds Esplanade Hotel- Set in a tropical paradise, Tradeswinds Esplanade Hotel combines the beauty of a waterfront setting with the convenience of being close to all holiday facilities. Each room opens out onto your own private balcony with a view of the pristine Coral Sea. 4 Star- Apartment Style: BreakFree Royal Harbour Resort - Luxury self contained apartments in a fantastic position right on the Esplanade overlooking the Harbour. Restaurants and shops right at the door. 5 Star: Cairns International Hotel - excellent location on the Esplanade, 5 star hotel in Cairns centre. 5 Star: Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns Outstanding location right on the Marlin Marina with views over Trinity Bay. Once of Cairns most distinguished hotels.
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Palm Cove Accommodation
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Just 20mins north of Cairns is the picturesque village of Palm Cove sitting adjacent a palm fringed beach. It is only tiny in size but very pretty and host to some beautiful resorts. There is a regular scheduled coach service into Cairns and taxis are easily available so you can still shop or dine there. Palm Cove is also an excellent base if you wish to take day tours as all operators pick up from here. This is a charming/romantic spot perfect for spending a lazy day around the beach. If you are not looking for discos and late night bars this is my pick. 3.5 Star: Paradise on the Beach Resort - situated adjacent the beach, recently refurbished and excellent value for money. 4.5 Star: Sebel Reef House & Spa -Excellent restaurant, charming rooms with white wicker furniture and mosquito nets over the beds. Straight out of the colonial era of Ernest Hemingway. Stunning pool area with very romantic setting. 5 Star: Angsana Resort & Spa - Situated right on the beachfront with sensational views of the Coral Sea from the restaurant and seaview suites. A member of Small Luxury Hotel group. 5 Star: Outrigger Beach Club and Spa Set amongst upmarket restaurants and cafes, this luxurious beachside property is perfect for couples and families alike. Choose from hotel rooms or fully self contained apartments. All are stylishly furnished and have balconies to enjoy the tropical atmosphere. Travellers Choice - Our clients give us regular feedback and these are the hotels we consistently receive positive comments about: 4 Star: Breakfree Amphora Located on the last great beachfront site in Palm Cove, BreakFree Amphora Resort offers spacious modern apartments, many boasting breathtaking views of the Coral Sea. Each apartment is fully self-contained. 5 Star: Sea Temple Resort & Spa Serenely positioned on the edge of a shimmering white sand beach. This truly elegant resort offers the ultimate in luxurious, sophisticated accommodation. |
Port Douglas Accommodation
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Situated just 1 hour scenic drive north of Cairns is the resort town of Port Douglas. Famous for its pristine 4 mile Beach and laid back atmosphere. The town itself has some excellent restaurants, boutiques and bars all dotted along the main street - Macrossan. There are numerous hotels, apartments and resorts to choose from all within a short distance of the centre of town. Marina Mirage is a hive of activity each morning and afternoon as the cruise boats depart and return from their Barrier Reef trips. Tours to the Daintree also depart from Port Douglas so there is plenty to keep you occupied in between lounging by the pool or strolling along the beautiful beach. Port Douglas has been a popular destination with Australian holidaymakers for sometime and now the secret is out to the rest of the world. 3.5 Star - Apartment Style: Villa San Michele - Centrally located right on the main street of Port Douglas within walking distance of all the shops and restaurants as well as the beach. Rooms are large and fully self contained. 3.5 Star - Apartment Style: BreakFree Reef Club Resort - fully self contained apartments only 150 metres to beautiful Four Mile Beach and a short stroll to the restaurants and shops of Port Douglas village. 4 Star - Hotel and Apartment Style: BreakFree Portsea Resort - Very elegant mediterranean style with white washed walls and meandering freeform swimming pool. Choose from apartments with their own cooking facilities or hotel style. There is a cafe style menu during the day around the pool or room service in the evenings from a local restaurant in Port Douglas. Situated a 5 minute stroll to Four Mile beach the PortSea is a stylish resort with a very attractive rate. 5 Star - Resort Style: Thala Beach Lodge - One of the most sensational properties in the region. Situated about 15mins drive from the centre of Port Douglas with a regular shuttle service into town operated by the hotel. Perched high above its own private beach with the most magnificent views of the sea from the bar, restaurant and most bungalows. There is a golf cart to take guests to the beach or pick up from their room if they don't wish to walk around the resort. The bungalows are individual free standing with polished wooden floors, marble bathrooms, private balconies and all the facilities you'd expect in a 5 star room including TV, CD players, mini bar etc.Highly recommended. 5 Star - Apartment Style: Cayman Villas - The Cayman Villas landmark architectural design is one of understated elegance. 5 star accommodation features very large living areas, large tropical balconies, and quality fixtures with exquisite tropical inspired furnishings. Cayman Villas are equidistant to and an easy 2 minute walk to fabulous 4 Mile Beach or the Port Douglas village centre with its world class restaurants, boutique shopping, sidewalk cafes, art galleries and the Marina Mirage shopping and boating facilities. |
Cruises/Diving
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Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Cruise operate state of the art high speed catamarans which offer a very smooth ride to a magnificent pontoon on the Outer Barrier Reef. The pontoon allows visitors to get off the boat and have lunch in a covered restaurant. The pontoon has shower/changeroom facilities and an enclosed snorkelling area. Quicksilver Low Isles Barrier Reef Cruise This is an ideal trip for people who don't like deep water and would like to spend some time on land. Quicksilvers luxury catamaran moors in the calm waters of the islands picturesque lagoon. Shuttle vessels operate throughout the day to the island where all the snorkelling takes place from the beach. A sumptuous smorgasbord lunch is served on board. Quicksmart This is a much smaller vessel than Quicksilver (still a catamaran to give a fairly smooth ride but it only carries 80 people as opposed to Quicksilvers 300 something). The great experience you get on this vessel is that it visits 2 - 3 different parts of the reef so you get variation in your diving or snorkelling. It is an excellent trip for certified divers and I managed to get 3 x 40mins dives in the one day! For snorkellers it is also great as much of the interesting sites are in shallow water i.e turtles. The food is served on board so it is not as comfortable as on the big pontoon that Quicksilver goes to but the day out is not about dining but diving! This would be my recommendation for divers or even a couple where 1 is a diver and the other is a snorkeller. If people are not comfortable snorkellers or don't want to get wet I recommend Quicksilver as they have a roped off snorkelling enclosure for inexperienced swimmers and an underwater viewing platform and semi sub for people who don't want to get wet. Ocean Spirit operate a luxury sailing catamaran giving a very relaxed day out on the Reef. If you are after a more intimate atmosphere away from the main crowds or just interested in a little sailing this is the trip I recommend. PADI 'Learn to Dive' Course - If you have always wanted to become a certified diver why not gain your accreditation at one of the most renowned dive locations in the world - the Great Barrier Reef. Pro Dive offer a complete 5 day course that carries the internationally recognised PADI certification. Dive to Adventure - for Certified Divers: If you are already certified, Pro Dive offer a 3 Day live aboard visiting some of the best dive spots on the reef. |
The
Daintree
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The Daintree Rainforest is world heritage listed and a great contrast to the Barrier Reef. The lush vegetation is home to some beautiful species of birds, plants and other inhabitants (some friendlier than others). Crocodiles are fairly prevalent in the estuaries and streams and a cruise on the Daintree River should give you a look at one or two. The best way to explore this region is by organised tour so the guides can explain the varieties of fauna and flora. Tours
to the Daintree Rainforest from Cairns, Port Douglas and Palm Cove Australian Wild Escapes Luxury Tour Australian Wild Escapes offer a small, luxury group tour. This 5 star eco tour operator takes you to locations away from the normal tourist track travelling in luxury 4WD to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation. |
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Kuranda Scenic Railway is a beautiful way to meander through the Atherton Tablelands enroute to Kuranda Village. This historic train winds its way past waterfalls and magnificent rainforest vegetation before arriving at the quaint little village of Kuranda. Kuranda is known for its markets which operate on Wed, Thu, Fri and Sun. The Scenic Skyrail from Kuranda to Caravonica (approx. 20mins from Cairns town centre) was built to give visitors an idea of what life is like at the top of the rainforest canopy. It has been constructed with minimal disruption to the environment and is a great contrast to seeing the rainforest from ground level. |
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Tours from Cairns, Palm Cove or Port DouglasTjapukai Aboriginal Dance Theatre originally gave performances in a small theatre in Kuranda. The dance company have become so popular that they have relocated to a large park at the foot of the Skyrail. The park gives visitors a chance to learn about Aboriginal culture through the dance performances and also via the displays and exhibits at the park. The best way to experience all three of the above attractions is on
a combined tour which co-ordinates the transport. Adventure activities are fairly abundant in Far North Queensland. You can choose from bungy jumping, white water rafting, hot air ballooning and parachuting to name a few. The most popular being white rafting and hot air ballooning. If time permits both of these are a great day out (or very early morning in the case of ballooning, but the champagne breakfast eases the pain!). If you would like an action packed holiday then the Raging Thunder 5 Day Tropical Rage Package is a great value for money deal that combines White Water Rafting, Outer Barrier Reef Cruise, Hot Air Ballooning and an overnight Cape Tribulation/Daintree Rainforest Safari. This package represents a substantial saving on purchasing the activities individually. |
