Australia 2023 AUS | Page 56

NORTHERN QUEENSLAND

NORTHERN QUEENSLAND

Cape Tribulation
Daintree
Port Douglas
NORTHERN QUEENSLAND
Atherton Tablelands
Lizard Island
Palm Cove Trinity Beach
Cairns
Great Barrier Reef
Green Island
Cape Tribulation
Where rainforest meets reef and nature reigns supreme
Cosmopolitan Cairns is the bustling heart of North Queensland and your stepping stone to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest . If you crave the urban jungle then buzzing Cairns will lure you with its innovative eateries , on-trend bars , stylish boutiques and galleries . Let ’ s not forget the Esplanade , a scenic promenade stretching over a mile with a swimming lagoon and waterfront boardwalks . If you ’ re drawn to the beach , the beachside village of Palm Cove is a short drive from Cairns . This is a place of barefoot glamour , where you walk or bike instead of taking a car and have the chance to stay in spectacular boutique hotels and resorts . Feast on culinary delights at award-winning restaurants or have fish and chips on the beach after a day discovering day spas , art galleries , golf or kayaking . Renowned for its palm-fringed Four Mile Beach , the resort town of Port Douglas is another ideal place to flop on the sand and sizzle in the sunshine . It ’ s also an activity seeker ’ s heaven , with diving and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef , bush walking , fishing or mountain biking . The town has a distinct village feel with a variety of cafés , pubs , restaurants and bars as well as great malls and boutique shops . Green Island boasts an unspoilt rainforest , stunning beaches and surrounding reef , while exclusive Lizard Island is a luxurious haven of seclusion , indulgence and relaxation . In the Daintree Rainforest disconnect from the modern world and immerse yourself in a raw , wild , ancient environment that resembles a real-life Jurassic Park where it looks entirely possible that dinosaurs could emerge from the lush undergrowth . Despite its untouched nature , the Daintree is easily accessible and you can join guided walks , take a cruise along the Daintree River to spot prehistoric crocodiles , or even zipline through the canopy . The remote headland of Cape Tribulation is a quiet haven of World Heritage listed rainforest and coral reefs . Stepping straight onto the beach from the rainforest is a very special experience . As well as a bushwalking paradise it ’ s a place to marvel at empty beaches where driftwood and shells wash up to form natural sculptures . A 45 minute drive inland from Cairns brings you to the Atherton Tablelands , a vibrant green land of dramatic mountains , untouched rainforest , delicious produce and jaw-dropping waterfalls .
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Getting there : Cairns is about 21 hours from the UK ( including a stopover ). From Cairns , it ’ s a 30 minute drive to Palm Cove or an hour ’ s drive to Port Douglas .
Best time to go : The subtropical climate brings warm summers and mild winters . Most rainfall tends to occur between January-March , but this is usually in the form of brief , but heavy , tropical showers .
UNMISSABLE NORTHERN QUEENSLAND EXPERIENCES
Get more out of your stay . Prices are per person
BREAKFAST WITH THE BIRDS from £ 22 ( includes breakfast ) During a seasonal breakfast at Wildlife Habitat feed koalas and birds . Park admission included . Available from Port Douglas .
HANDS ON COUNTRY ECO TOUR from £ 85
A three hour tour from Cairns offering an insight to the Mandingalbay Yidinji people , with visits to places of significance and the chance to source native food in the rainforest .
KURANDA SKYRAIL & SCENIC RAIL from £ 99
Depart Cairns or Port Douglas for a full day tour beginning at the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a breathtaking journey . Later , board Skyrail to glide over and through the rainforest canopy .
CHILLAGOE CAVES & OUTBACK from £ 119 ( includes lunch ) On this full day tour from Cairns travel by 4WD to Skybury Coffee Plantation , before heading on to Chillagoe for a National Parks cave tour . Stop also at Granite Gorge to see wallabies .
BRETT ’ S OUTBACK TASTING ADVENTURE from £ 139 ( inc breakfast & lunch ) Full day foodie tour from Cairns or Palm Cove that takes in numerous sites so you can sample delights such as chocolates , cheese , tropical fruits and more .
DREAMTIME SNORKEL CRUISE from £ 142 ( includes breakfast & lunch ) Morning departure from Cairns for a full day of Indigenous stories and snorkelling at premium sites .
CAPE TRIBULATION , DAINTREE & MOSSMAN GORGE from £ 146 ( includes lunch ) Travel from Cairns or the Northern Beaches to Mossman Gorge for a guided walk . During the Daintree River Cruise seek out crocodiles and more , then enjoy a beach walk in Cape Tribulation .
OUTER BARRIER REEF CRUISE from £ 184 ( includes lunch ) Travel from Port Douglas and onward by catamaran to Agincourt Reef . Here , swimmers and non-swimmers can explore the reef from a semi-submersible , an underwater observatory or by snorkelling . Available from Cairns with transfer to Port Douglas .
56 AUSTRALIA visit your local travel agent or call 08444 937 900