Northern Queensland

Northern Queensland includes the Tropical North Queensland, Townsville and The Whitsundays. North Queensland is a lush and beautiful region home to the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage-listed Rainforest. Snorkel, dive, swim with sea turtles and explore the Daintree Rainforest.

In Tropical North Queensland, visit Cape Tribulation beach and explore Indigenous rock art sites. Palm Cove, Cairns and Port Douglas are the main hubs for a beach holiday.

From the Atherton Tablelands, which is a delightful hinterland destination with lovely views and local food, to a 4WD trip along the Savannah Way or Cape York, Northern Queensland is the place for adventure.

What are the main cities in northern Queensland?

Townsville and Cairns are the main cities in the northern part of Queensland. Cairns is the hub of Tropical North Queensland and the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Townsville is a fast-growing regional city and the gateway to the SS Yongala wreck and Orpheus Island.

What is the population of Cairns?

Cairns is a small tropical city with a population of 162,451. It’s a city with a relaxed vibe and a warm and sunny climate. It may be compact but there are plenty of things to see in Cairns.

Paronella Park Tour

Paronella Park

Paronella Park is a unique Cairns tourist attraction.  While on a road trip to Cairns and Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef between Mission Beach and Innisfail, a sign for Paronella Park passes us by. A quick search on Trip Advisor raises our curiosity so we decide on a...
Cairns Aquarium Colourful lunar wrasse
On a beautiful sunny day in the Cairns Aquarium, I am surrounded by crystal clear water. Rays of light reflect off the body of a large hammerhead shark as it swims above me, while, in close pursuit is a black tip reef shark, followed by a cow tail ray...
Queensland resorts riley pool
Besides the world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, Queensland's other assets are gorgeous white sandy beaches and perfect sunny weather. It’s no wonder Australia’s sunshine state attracts huge numbers of visitors each year. From urban chic to rural hip, there's a Queensland resort to suit everyone.  There’s an abundance...
Finch Hatton Gorge
Time moves so fast, the years disappear; everything changes… or does it? I first came to these parts, Finch Hatton Gorge, in the autumn of 2004, and truth be told, I can’t recall all that much except I remembered I liked it… a lot. It reminded me of my childhood...
tyrconnell
We're hovering in the air like a giant dragonfly while way below us, yachts moored in Port Douglas' marina bob up and down, waiting to sail off towards the best diving and snorkelling spots on the Great Barrier Reef. One of the bucket list things to do in Cairns is...
Baby spectacled bat
As a child, I totally loved horror movies, even though they scared me no end. After many a sleepless night, I still couldn’t get enough of anything to do with Dracula, vampires or Transylvania. Facing my fears I challenge myself to a visit to the Tolga Bat Hospital Visitor...

BEST OF QUEENSLAND