This corner of Queensland has many extraordinary natural attractions. 2 of the most well known are The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Both of which should not be missed on a visit to this tropical region. Even if you don't want to get wet you should take a cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef. The colours and range of coral and fish are sensational. You can see all of this on a semi-submersible or underwater viewing platform for those who are not into snorkelling or diving. Diving is available to anyone with reasonable fitness. You don't need to be certified as first time divers can go down with an instructor (known as a resort dive). I was so hooked after my first experience, I went 3 times and bought the video!

Swimming
It is important to note that the Box Jellyfish inhabit the waters around the coast, mainly during the months of October - May, so swimming off beaches that don't have stinger nets is not safe. As the Jellyfish breed in the estuaries they only travel as far as the coast and swimming off the islands or on the Great Barrier Reef is perfectly safe year round.

Accommodation
The region is split up into various townships along the coast. Most of the action happens in and around Cairns. This is where all the day tours operate from and the vast majority of accommodation is found. Below is a table of drive times to give you an idea of the geography:

Cairns to Mission Beach - 2hrs drive south
Cairns to Palm Cove - 20mins drive north
Cairns to Port Douglas - 1hr drive north
Cairns to Cape Tribulation - 2 1/2 hrs north of Cairns.

All of the tour operators pick up from Cairns and Palm Cove hotels. Some tour operators pickup from Port Douglas accommodation i.e Quicksilver and Australian Pacific Tours for the Daintree. When choosing where to stay it is important to decide what sort of a holiday experience you are looking for. i.e Romantic getaway relaxing around the pool, sightseeing packed or a combination of both.

Hotels range from hotel/resort style at reasonable cost to self contained apartments to deluxe 5 star. In Cairns you can walk or take a short taxi ride to all the restaurants and shops. It is important to point out that Cairns lies on a harbour and does not have a natural swimming beach however, the foreshore development incorporates a man made sandy beach which is open to the public with safe swimming and barbeque area.

3.5 Star - Apartment Style
Nestled amongst lush tropical gardens in the very heart of Cairns. Great value for money studio and apartmnents with kitchen facilities.

3.5 Star Hotel Style
Excellent location right on the Esplanade approx. 20mins walk from shops and restaurants. Most rooms face the ocean, this is the best value 3.5 star in Cairns.

4.5 Star
Set in a tropical paradise, Tradeswinds Esplanade Hotel combines the beauty of a waterfront setting with the convenience of being close to all holiday facilities. Each room opens out onto your own private balcony with a view of the pristine Coral Sea.

5 Star
The most outstanding location right on the pier overlooking the harbour. Recently refurbished to highest standard of luxury in Cairns.

Just 20mins north of Cairns is the picturesque village of Palm Cove sitting adjacent a palm fringed beach. It is only tiny in size but very pretty and host to some beautiful resorts. There is a regular scheduled coach service into Cairns and taxis are easily available so you can still shop or dine there.Palm Cove is also an excellent base if you wish to take day tours as all operators pick up from here. This is a charming/romantic spot perfect for spending a lazy day around the beach. If you are not looking for discos and late night bars this is my pick.

3.5 Star
Situated adjacent the beach, recently refurbished and excellent value for money.

4.5 Star Boutique Style
This is the place to stay, excellent restaurant, charming airy rooms with mosquito nets over the beds. Straight out of the colonial era of Ernest Hemingway.Stunning pool area - simply one of the most romantic settings I have come across.

5 Star Spa Resort
The newest 5 star luxury hotel in Palm Cove. Situated right on the beach, the atmosphere is chic, contemporary and exclusive.

5 Star
Situated right on the beachfront with sensational views of the Coral Sea from the restaurant and seaview suites. A member of the Small Luxury Hotel Group.

Situated just 1 hour scenic drive north of Cairns is the resort town of Port Douglas. Famous for its pristine 4 mile Beach and laid back atmosphere. The town itself has some excellent restaurants, boutiques and bars all dotted along the main street - Macrossan. There are numerous hotels, apartments and resorts to choose from all within a short distance of the centre of town. Marina Mirage is a hive of activity each morning and afternoon as the cruise boats depart and return from their Barrier Reef trips. Tours to the Daintree also depart from Port Douglas so there is plenty to keep you occupied in between lounging by the pool or strolling along the beautiful beach. Port Douglas has been a popular destination with Australian holidaymaker for sometime and now the secret is out to the rest of the world.

4 Star - Apartment Style
Fully self contained apartments only 150 metres to beautiful Four Mile Beach and a short stroll to the restaurants and shops of Port Douglas village.

4.5 Star Hotel and Apartment Style
Very elegant mediterranean style with white washed walls and meandering freeform swimming pool. Choose from apartments with their own cooking facilities or hotel style. There is a cafe style menu during the day around the pool or room service in the evenings from a local restaurant in Port Douglas. Situated a 5 minute stroll to Four Mile beach the PortSea is a stylish resort with a very attractive rate.

5 Star
Set on almost 10 acres of tropical beachfront at the southern end of Four Mile Beach, Sea Temple Resort & Spa Port Douglas combines luxury and first class service to create a haven of privacy and relaxation.

5 Star Resort Style
Set amongst 130 hectares of tropical landscaped gardens and situated directly on Four Mile Beach. The resort boasts a championship 18 hole golf course and over 2 hectares of magnificent swimmable saltwater lagoons.

A visit to Tropical North Queensland would not be complete without a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. The Outer Barrier Reef is situated approx. 1.5hrs by high speed catamaran from Port Douglas (or approx. 2hrs from Cairns) so allow a full day to experience it. There is a choice of vessel from large catamarans that moor at a permanent pontoon to sailing adventures. Whether you would like to try diving for the first time, snorkelling or not get wet at all, there is a cruise to suit everyone.

Quicksilver operate state of the art high speed catamarans which offer a very smooth ride to a magnificent pontoon on the Outer Barrier Reef. The pontoon allows visitors to get off the boat and have lunch in a covered restaurant. The pontoon has shower/changeroom facilities and an enclosed snorkelling area. This is a great day out for people of all ages and interests. You can choose to try diving for the first time, snorkel or stay dry and enjoy the magnificence of the reef from the underwater viewing platform or semi-submersible.

This is a much smaller vessel than Quicksilver (still a catamaran to give a fairly smooth ride but it only carries 80 people as opposed to Quicksilvers 300 something). The great experience you get on this vessel is that it visits 2 - 3 different parts of the reef so you get variation in your diving or snorkelling. It is an excellent trip for certified divers and I managed to get 3 x 40mins dives in the one day! For snorkellers it is also great as much of the interesting sites are in shallow water i.e turtles. The food is served on board so it is not as comfortable as on the big pontoon that Quicksilver goes to but the day out is not about dining but diving! This would be my recommendation for divers or even a couple where 1 is a diver and the other is a snorkeller. If people are not comfortable snorkellers or don't want to get wet I recommend Quicksilver as they have a roped off snorkelling enclosure for inexperienced swimmers and an underwater viewing platform and semi sub for people who don't want to get wet.

Cruise aboard a luxury sailing catamaran giving a very relaxed day out on the Reef. If you are after a more intimate atmosphere away from the main crowds or just interested in a little sailing this is the trip I recommend.

If you have always wanted to become a certified diver why not gain your accreditation at one of the most renowned dive locations in the world - the Great Barrier Reef. Pro Dive offer a complete 5 day course that carries the internationally recognised PADI certification.

Far North Queensland and the Whitsundays have some beautiful waterways and a very relaxed and pampered way to see them is aboard a cruise ship. There are all sorts of durations and vessels to choose from, 5 star luxury to helping crew a tall ship. Some of our most popular cruises are

If you would like a more intimate cruise then Coral Princess is the pick. This luxury catamaran only accommodates 48 guests. The cruise is 3 nights/4 days and runs from Cairns to Townsville on a Saturday and Townsville to Cairns on a Tuesday. All water activities are available including snorkelling and diving. The cruise calls in at Dunk Island where guests can use this famous resorts facilities. This is a perfect choice for a romantic getaway.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Dance Theatre
The dance company originally gave performances in a small theatre in Kuranda. The dance company have become so popular that they have relocated to a large park at the foot of the Skyrail. The park gives visitors a chance to learn about Aboriginal culture through the dance performances and also via the displays and exhibits at the park.

The Scenic Skyrail
The Scenic Skyrail from Kuranda to Caravonica (approx. 20mins from Cairns town centre) was built to give visitors an idea of what life is like at the top of the rainforest canopy. It has been constructed with minimal disruption to the environment and is a great contrast to seeing the rainforest from ground level.

Kuranda Scenic Railway
This is a beautiful way to meander through the Atherton Tablelands enroute to Kuranda Village. This historic train winds its way past waterfalls and magnificent rainforest vegetation before arriving a the quaint little village of Kuranda. Kuranda is known for its markets which operate on Wed, Thu, Fri and Sun.

The best way to experience all three of the above attractions is on a combined tour which co-ordinates the transport. TropicWings operate a daily tour incorporating all of the above as well as lunch at Rainforestation. This day offers diversity and should appeal to train buffs and nature lovers alike.

Australian Pacific Tours Daintree and Port Douglas
This full day tour includes a cruise on the Daintree River with a chance to spot crocodiles, a visit to the Mirage Country Club at Port Douglas and Rainforest Habitat to see native fauna and flora.

Adventure activities are fairly abundant in Far North Queensland. You can choose from bungy jumping, parachuting, white water rafting, hot air ballooning and sea kayaking to name a few. The most popular being white rafting and hot air ballooning. If time permits both of these are a great day out (or very early morning in the case of ballooning, but the champagne breakfast eases the pain!).

Click here for Ballooning
Click here for Rafting

The Daintree Rainforest is world heritage listed and a great contrast to the Barrier Reef. The lush vegetation is home to some beautiful species of birds, plants and other inhabitants (some friendlier than others). Crocodiles are fairly prevalent in the estuaries and streams and a cruise on the Daintree River should give you a look at one or two. The best way to explore this region is by organised tour so the guides can explain the varieties of fauna and flora.

5 Star
Situated at Mossman overlooking a stunning gorge with crystal clear water fringed by pristine rainforest. The chalets are luxuriously appointed and have also been
designed to have minimum impact on the environment. The open air restaurant has magnificent views over the gorge and is a focal meeting place after a day exploring. The lodge offers its own limousine transfer service from Cairns or another alternative is to take a Quicksilver Outer Barrier Cruise and you can be transferred to the lodge at the end of the day.