Tropical North Queensland.

Tropical North Queensland is a sophisticated destination you will never want to leave.

New projects have rejuvenated this beautiful city and with almost a century of architecture reflected in the streets, Cairns presents itself as a comfortable blend of traditional and modern designs.

Stroll past the boutique shops, dine al fresco at an award-winning restaurant, cafe or bar or be inspired at a cultural centre or art gallery.

Being active is easy with reef excursions, wilderness tours, self-drive opportunities, romantic getaways and fun for the children.

The Cairns foreshore and lagoon is a favourite spot for locals and visitors.

Swim in the huge saltwater lagoon under the watchful eye of trained lifeguards, relax on the grass in the shade or use the free barbecues to cook up a feast.

The Cairns beaches of Machans, Holloways, Yorkeys Knob, Trinity, Palm Cove, Kewarra Beach and Ellis are popular for their laid-back feel and range of apartment, luxury and guesthouse-style accommodation.

Shops and restaurants line the beach fronts of these casual destinations.

Beginning only a 10-minute drive north of Cairns city, the Cairns beaches are a perfect place to soak in the sun and relax. The Kuranda and Tropical Tablelands region has a character all of its own.

Some of the best swimming holes, picturesque rainforest and interesting heritage sites are found among mountains, rivers, lakes, farms and charming towns and villages.

Friendly locals eagerly share their orchards, arts, crafts, music and markets in the townships of Kuranda, Yungaburra, Atherton, Ravenshoe, Herberton, Malanda, Millaa Millaa and Mareeba.

Classic historic Australian pubs, eco-retreats, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, farm stays and camp grounds provide a base for exploring the tablelands.

The resort town of Port Douglas, north of Cairns, is the jewel at the end of one of Australia's most scenic drives.

Port Douglas spoils the traveller with 5-star to budget accommodation, art galleries, markets and award-winning dining experiences second to none.

An aquatic atmosphere awaits visitors to Port Douglas, with the picturesque Four Mile Beach and the Marina Mirage and its flotilla of cruise and leisure craft providing access to the Great Barrier Reef.

The Daintree and Cape Tribulation areas are the region's most popular rainforest stops, with pristine white sand beaches, unspoilt rainforests, picnic areas, rainforest walks, four-wheel drive safaris, unique accommodation options, reef trips, mangrove and crocodile watching tours, ocean kayaking and horse trekking.

Popular destinations include Mossman Gorge, the Daintree township, the Daintree River, Cow Bay, the Alexandra Range, Coopers Creek and the Bloomfield Falls.

Day and night guided wildlife tours give a magical glimpse of wildlife foraging, flitting and occasionally fighting.

Most rainforest resorts, lodges and even B&Bs have day walks and spotlighting evening tours, which guests and visitors can join.

Mission Beach is secluded, yet it is also the perfect base to explore the wonders of the region: the Great Barrier Reef, Hinchinbrook Island, Dunk Island, Paronella Park at Mena Creek, Cairns Highlands, Cairns, World Heritage Wet Tropic rainforest and the Gulf Savannah.

The beachside resort of Mission Beach provides casual excursions and popular activities including the excitement of whitewater rafting and river rafting on the mighty Tully River, canoeing, reef and island tours, hiking, parachuting, fishing and rainforest tours.

Accommodation styles vary from seaside and secluded rainforest retreats, to the island resorts of Dunk and Bedarra and a variety of backpacker resorts and facilities.

Delectable tropical cuisine beckons as an outstanding attraction in itself, whether served at one of the many award-winning restaurants and al fresco cafes or as part of a gourmet tour.

The northern tropics are blessed with an abundance of local delicacies: fresh seafood from the oceans and rivers, tempting exotic tropical fruits from the tablelands and the piquant flavours of native Australian cuisine.

The world-class restaurants of the city and its surrounding regions reflect the cosmopolitan nature of both its residents and visitors, with nearly all making a special point of presenting their own variation of Tropical North Queensland specialities.

Cairns and Tropical North Queensland are a shopper's delight, with international, national and local products and labels in the many shopping arcades, plazas and galleries.

There are frequent markets in the area: Rusty's markets, night markets, Port Douglas markets and markets at the pier and Kuranda provide handmade wares, local arts and crafts and the freshest produce.

No matter what form of transport you desire, the Tropical North caters for a variety of tastes and budgets, from sports cars to four-wheel drive vehicles and campervans.

The region's friendly locals offer a pleasant arrival wherever you travel and well-signed roads ensure the region is easily navigated.

Cairns and North Queensland showcase the world famous Great Barrier Reef like no other area.

Some of the many experiences available to explore this natural heritage area include sailing, sleek catamaran excursions, island stopovers, cruising, scuba diving, snorkelling, glass bottomed boats and scenic flights.

Nature's glory is also beautifully showcased in Australia's tropical World Heritage-listed rainforests, from the world famous Daintree and Cape Tribulation areas to the Tropical Tablelands, Mount Bellenden Ker range and the scenic mountain rim which surrounds Cairns city.

The rainforest can be enjoyed by taking a guided walk on raised boardwalks or a hike through on a trekking tour, and can be viewed from a luxury four-wheel drive travelling on approved roads, a river cruise or a cableway gondola.

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway runs from Smithfield to Kuranda and has a total length of 7.5 kilometres, making it the world's longest gondola cableway.

Tropical North Queensland is Australia's Spa capital.

The multi award-winning spas have already been acclaimed as the best in Australia and some of the best in the world.

Whether in the rainforest or overlooking the reef, spa packages combine unique accommodation options with spa treatments that are inspired by the natural surrounds.

The drive from Cairns to Port Douglas is one of Australia's most scenic, with graceful views across the Coral Sea toward the Great Barrier Reef.

The World Heritage rainforests are also accessible by car, with the Daintree very popular.

South from Cairns the romantic and breathtaking beachside hamlets and mountain ranges of the Mission Beach area await.

West of Cairns, the Tropical Tablelands offers wonderful overnight stops, from cosy bed and breakfasts to private retreats, all set in lush surrounds.

The Savannah Way is the signature trip of the Outback, tracing the steps of Australia's earliest pioneers from Cairns west to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Possibly the ultimate self-drive experience, the trek to the tip of Australia, Cape York, is pure adventure.

Tropical North Queensland is renowned for its diverse array of exhilarating tours including hot-air ballooning over the Tablelands, riding four-wheel ATVs through eucalypt forests, horse riding along Cape Tribulation beach, sea kayaking, bungee jumping, parachuting, scenic flights and Australia's best whitewater rafting experiences.

Tropical North Queensland also offers some of Australia's best Aboriginal experiences including the award-winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park - the first complete Aboriginal experience in Australia, and the exciting Pamagirri Dance Troupe at Rainforestation.

Various tours reveal the prehistoric and modern artworks, body painting, authentic artifacts, indigenous knowledge of bush foods and medicines, customs and festivals of the Aboriginal, Thursday Islander and Torres Strait Islander people.

Tropical North Queensland offers some of Australia's best island experiences including the resort islands of Bedarra, Lizard, Orpheus, Fitzroy, Green and Double islands plus the scenic Frankland Island Group, Hinchinbrook Island, Poruma Island and the cays of Michealmas, Upolu and Low isles.

For the young at heart, an exhilarating experience not to be missed is the triumph of conquering the thundering rapids of a Wet Tropics river - some of the world's ultimate rafting journeys.

Discover frontier towns like Croydon and Chillagoe and attractions such as the Undara Lava Tubes, Cobbold Gorge and the rainforest oasis of Lawn Hill National Park.

As I said, it's a sophisticated destination you will never want to leave........come and enjoy,

John.

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