Cairns & Far North, QLD

With the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef on its doorstep, Cairns and Far North Queensland is a wonderful place to relax and experience Australia’s natural beauty. North of Cairns you have Palm Cove and Port Douglas right up to the tip of Cape York, there’s plenty to explore, and you’ll enjoy losing the crowds in these laidback destinations. Dine and lounge by the pool or venture out to explore the wonders of the rainforest and the reef. A Far North Queensland holiday is whatever you make of it.

What to see and do:

Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef

Take a boat tour out from Port Douglas, Cairns or Airlie Beach to experience an underwater world of colour and life. The turquoise waters conceal a menagerie of fish, turtles, clams, and colourful corals just waiting to be explored. No matter how confident you are in the water, the tours can accommodate everyone from novice swimmers to experienced divers, and this experience is an absolute must-do!

Explore the Ancient Daintree Rainforest

Journey to the Daintree river and beyond to enter a world of dense greenery and trickling streams. Drive through untouched Rainforest to discover secluded beaches and enlightening boardwalks in this peaceful world of flora and fauna. Take a tour to spot a Crocodile on the Daintree River, keep an eye out for cassowaries, and look high up in the trees to find native birds and fruit bats.

Visit Port Douglas

This sleepy tourist town is the perfect place to unwind. You’ll have your pick of many high-quality restaurants and bars, and there are plenty of luxurious beach hotels to choose from. Visit Four mile beach for a swim and a stroll, and be sure to check out the Sunday markets at Market Park.

Swim at Mossman Gorge

This impressive rainforest ravine is a beautiful place for a walk and a swim in the clear and refreshing waters. The Mossman Gorge information centre at the entrance is managed by the traditional owners of the land, the Kuku Yalanji people. Here you can learn more about their history and traditions, peruse and purchase aboriginal artwork and have a snack at the cafe before catching a shuttle up to the gorge.

Videos of Cairns & Far North QLD

Silky Oaks Lodge – The Daintree Rainforest, Queensland

How to get there:

Fly into Cairns airport. From Cairns, it is a 1-hour drive to Port Douglas, and two and a half hours to the Daintree.

Best time to go:

It is warm year-round, however January through to February is monsoon season and it can be quite rainy. The best time of year to attend is in Spring, as the weather is typically warm but not too hot and beautifully sunny.