DAYS 12-15 The Tropical North
Just when you think Queensland can ’ t get any more beautiful , you ’ ll arrive in Tropical North Queensland . Two World Heritage wonders converge here – the ancient Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef – and you could easily spend your entire honeymoon exploring this natural paradise .
Your first port of call is the sultry northern hub of Cairns , home to the iconic Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway that links Cairns to the rainforest village of Kuranda . From here you ’ ll have the resort towns of Port Douglas and Palm Cove , both seemingly created for honeymooners , within easy reach . Time for another massage ? Schedule a stress-melting treatment at The Reef House , Palm Cove , followed by a romantic dinner beneath the palms and Melaleuca trees at their Coral Sea-facing restaurant .
If you ’ re dreaming of the Daintree , leave yourselves at least half a day to head far north and explore the world ’ s oldest living rainforest . This remote , luxuriant and otherworldly landscape is like nothing else in Australia and a guided walking ‘ safari ’ is highly recommended to explore the region ’ s history and deep cultural connection with the local Aboriginal people .
Can ’ t get enough island time ? We adore the dazzling palm-fringed beaches of Fitzroy Island , a tropical gem just off the Cairns coast . And for a memorable honeymoon finale , head to hot-air ballooning hot spot Mareeba in the Atherton Tablelands ; a gorgeous highlands region outside Cairns . Self-drive or enjoy luxury hotel transfers to a serene sunrise balloon flight , touching down just in time for a Champagne breakfast . So romantic .
DRIVING TIME : It ’ s around 7.5 hours from Airlie Beach to Cairns ( consider beautiful Mission Beach for a stop or stopover ). The palmfringed beachfront of Palm Cove is just under half an hour from Cairns with Port Douglas another half an hour up the coast . The first of the Daintree highlights , Mossman Gorge , is then about 15 minutes north of Port Douglas . PHOTO OP : Snap the emerald canopy beneath your feet on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway , the signature sweep of Four Mile Beach at Port Douglas , and the granite boulders and greenscape of Mossman Gorge . STAY : Treat yourselves to exceptional tropical luxury at adults-only escape The Reef House , Palm Cove . reefhouse . com . au H
PHOTOS : TOURISM AND EVENTS QUEENSLAND / ADOBE STOCK
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