Far North Queensland is the perfect destination for outdoor adventures, with stunning beaches, balmy weather and tropical island charm.
One of the seven natural wonders
With an astounding length of 2,300 kilometres, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living structure, with thousands of individual reefs and islands. It’s one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Sitting on the reef’s edge, the city of Cairns is a perfect launch point for a marine adventure packed with snorkelling, diving, animal encounters and guided tours.
Frankland Island Reef Cruises operates day trips that depart from Cairns, with a variety of activities on offer. The All-Inclusive package is an 8.5-hour tour complete with a guided snorkel safari, scenic river cruise, a guided island walk, kids’ snorkel course and treasure hunt, and a beachside buffet lunch to boot.
The Express Tour is a 5.5-hour option for those wanting to fit more into the day. After arrival at Normanby Island, there’s plenty of time to swim and explore, or go paddleboarding or kayaking. You can also participate in a semi-submarine tour or the snorkelling tour, which are perfect ways to explore the island and the Great Barrier Reef below the surface.
Adventures on Cape Tribulation
Cape Tribulation (aka Cape Trib) is the magical spot where rainforest and reef collide. Here, it’s all about off-road adventures, mountain hikes and relaxing on the beach. You can even ride a horse along the shores of Myall Beach with Cape Trib Horse Rides. The 90-minute experience boasts sweeping views of Mount Sorrow above the rainforest canopy, and your host will share stories about the area’s culture and history. Choose a 10am beach ride for an earlier start, or an afternoon ride.
If you’re a fan of local produce and have a sweet tooth, check out the Tropical Fruit Tasting Tours offered by Cape Trib Farms. Start by visiting the orchards where the team grow exotic fruits such as chocolate pudding fruit, creamy mamey sapote and zingy carambola. Taste everything along the way while learn about the farm’s regenerative farming practices.
The farm also offers eco-friendly orchard cottages for a unique accommodation experience, complete with ensuite bathrooms, a private deck, rainforest timber furnishings and tropical farm breakfasts.
Waterfalls & wild adventures
Far North Queensland is flush with waterfalls that carve their way through the landscape, offering great options for a refreshing and scenic trip.
An 18-minute drive from Cairns, Crystal Cascades is one such beauty. This series of impressive waterfalls rush into several large pools surrounded by smooth granite boulders. The barbecues, picnic tables and toilets mean you can pack a picnic lunch and spend the whole day swimming beneath waterfalls and enjoying the rainforest.
For the more adventurous, book the Canyoning, Ziplining & Waterfalls Rainforest Experience Tour with Cairns Canoeing. The tour takes you above the general swimming area at Crystal Cascades and into the lush mountains, where you’ll be suited up with a helmet and harness before abseiling, rock climbing, swimming and jumping down the canyon, through waterfalls and into the refreshing pools below.
Crocodile connections
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is an eco-certified tourism venue offering close encounters with beautiful Australian wildlife. The keepers are passionate about the animals they look after, and love sharing their knowledge with guests from around the world.
At its heart, the venue is a crocodile farm dedicated to conserving these misunderstood animals and educating visitors. The park occupies 15 hectares of bushland, with over 2,500 metres of boardwalks through woodlands, rainforests and wetlands that serve as a home to local flora and fauna.
The park is most famous for its crocodiles. Daily keeper talks share fascinating facts about these ancient animals, but to really get up close you can sign up for a feeding experience. After a tour of the croc farm, you will be invited to pole feed a huge saltwater crocodile, hold a juvenile croc, and learn all about these big creatures.
There are plenty of other ways to enjoy your time in the park, including a 25-minute cruise of Hartley’s Lagoon, a Wildlife Discovery Trail, and the chance to join a koala for a hot breakfast.
Rafting and racing on the rapids
Cairns and its surrounds are home to an impressive collection of rivers and waterways. Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Wet Tropics, Tully River is renowned as the best whitewater rafting spot in Australia. It boasts over 45 Grade 3 and 4 white water rapids and is surrounded by a towering rainforest.
With Cairns Adventure Group, you can join a full day rafting tour hosted by an expert. With water levels guaranteed year-round thanks to a hydro power station, tours of Tully River depart daily on the world-class rapids. There is no experience needed to join the tour, so all skill levels can rip through the gorge while surrounded by an ancient landscape.
The Tully River hosted the 2019 World Rafting Championships with competitors from 16 different countries, so you know you’re in for a real ride on this tour.
For those travelling with families, Cairns Adventure Group also hosts river tubing tours. A knowledgeable local guide will take you to one of the most pristine rainforest rivers around Cairns and teach you how to float on a professional tube so you can let the river carry you through the rainforest. Don’t worry, experienced river guides are with you the whole time to keep you safe and point out the birds, turtles, fish and native animals surrounding you in every direction.
On a half-day tour, you can expect 1.5-2 hours of tubing, and adventures are available for anyone over the age of five. The water isn’t deep and the current isn’t strong, but you’ll have plenty of fun floating over white water rapids on the twin chamber tubes.
To discover more ways to plan the perfect Cairns holiday, click here.
Rex flies to Queensland. Book your flights here and check out the route map below for more details.
