Cairns, Tropical North Queensland
Reef, rainforest, city and adventure activities in Australia
Feb 26, 2007
Travel to Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, Australia for the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas, Kuranda Scenic Railway, extreme sports, the Daintree, Cape York & more
Cairns in Northern Queensland is justifiably one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia. With the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage-listed rainforests on the doorstep, and plenty of exciting adrenalin activities, it has something to offer everyone. This includes:
Cairns
- Enjoy some of the worlds’ finest scuba diving on The Great Barrier Reef. Try Cairns Dive Centre (07 4051 0294).
- Snorkel on the Barrier Reef. Try Pro Dive (07 4031 5255).
- Jump aboard the choo-choo with a view, on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Try QR Traveltrain (07 3235 1122).
- Check out the lakes, forests, waterfalls and hills of the Atherton Tablelands. Try On The Wallaby (07 4050 0650).
- Get lashed, and probably lose some of your clothes, in Australia’s backpacker party capital.
- Go white water rafting down the Barron, Tully, Russell and North Johnstone Rivers Try RnR White Water Rafting (07 4041 9444).
- Throw yourself off a 50m high platform at the AJ Hackett bungee site. Try 07 4057 7001.
- Take a skydive over lush rainforest. Try Skydive Cairns (07 40 315 466).
- Visit one of the many Northern Beaches including Machans, Holloways and Yorkeys Knob.
- Get the ferry out to Fitzroy Island. Try (07 4030 7907).
North of Cairns
- Go on a croc spotting cruise on the Daintree River. Don’t fall in. Try Bruce Belcher Tours (07 4098 7717).
- Take a rainforest tour. Try Wooroonooran Safaris (07 4051 5512).
- Walk through the bush and cool down in the swimming holes at Mossman Gorge. Try Adventure Tours Australia (08 8309 2277).
- Check out the local markets in Port Douglas by taking a leisurely Sunday morning wander along the grassy banks of Anzac Park.
- Hire a bike and take in the lush rainforest scenery. Try Bandicoot Bicycle Tours (07 4055 0155).
- Chill out on one of the many beaches surrounded by rainforest at Cape Tribulation. Try Adventure Tours Australia (08 8309 2277).
- Take a trek, or horse ride through lush jungle at Cape Tribulation. Try Blazing Saddles (07 4059 0955)
- Visit the botanical gardens in Cooktown. Try (07 4069 5672).
- Take in spectacular 360-degree views from the 162m Grassy Hill Lookout at Cooktown.
- Wrestle with a Baramundi on a fishing trip. Try Fishing The Tropics (07 4058 1820).
- Take on Australia’s last great wilderness – the intimidating Cape York. Try Wilderness Challenge (07 4035 4488).
Gulf Savannah
- Visit the lava tubes of the Undara Volcanic National Park. Try Undara Experience (07 4097 1411).
- Feel the outback in the world’s biggest town (in area, not population), Mt Isa. Try Desert Venturer (1300 880 835).
The copyright of the article Cairns, Tropical North Queensland in Australia Travel is owned by David Whitley. Permission to republish Cairns, Tropical North Queensland in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
