Find Adventure in Far North Queensland
- Jump out of a plane at Mission Beach
- Head to the Great Barrier Reef to swim and snorkel in crystal clear waters
- Pick up delicious treats at the Cairns Night Markets (planning to re-open July 10)
Take a deep breath friends, you've discovered the perfect place to slow down after the hustle and bustle of the city. Mission Beach is the gateway to the far north, with palm trees and stunning beaches as far as the eye can see. Leave your worries back home, 'cause up north we're running on tropical time.
Hop a raft for some adrenaline pumping white water rafting on the Tully River, set right in the heart of world heritage rainforest... not that you'll spend much time staring at the trees when you're rushing downstream! If the thought of rushing down a river still doesn't tickle your need for adventure, you can throw yourself out of a plane and land right onto Mission Beach itself. What better way to view the stunning reefs and beaches of far north Queensland than from the air?
Once your heart stops beating quite as fast, pack your bags and head to the centre of all the action up north - Cairns. The best location to base yourself when experiencing the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is a city that'll make you want to stay longer to do, see, and taste everything!
If you're up for some more adventure, you can explore the Great Barrier Reef by boat, by diving or even by helicopter to soak up a bird's eye view of the majestic reef. Get up close to the with a visit to the unmissable Green Island, one of the small cays in the reef that's filled with lush rainforests, perfect snorkelling opportunities, and filled with wildlife. If you missed your chance to take the leap at Mission Beach, never fear! You can bungy jump into the rainforest, or skydive over the opean ocean.
Keep it lowkey after all the adventure with a wander through the ancient Daintree rainforest, where you can explore at your own pace, or wander up to the idyllic Palm Cove for unbeatable sunrises and pink-sky dusks over the water. For all your evening snacking requirements, the Cairns Night Markets are the place to be - held daily from 4-10pm.
Port Douglas combines small town charm and community with the intrinsic sense of adventure you'll find up north. One day you'll be enjoying buskers and performers on the main Macrossan Street, the next, headed up the skyrail into the depths of the Daintree.
Situated at the northern tip of the Great Dividing Range, discover a magical East Coast sunset right in the heart of the Coral Sea before taking a dip at the famous Four-Mile Beach. You can explore the northern Great Barrier Reef from Port Douggy, where you'll be right at the edge of where the reef meets the open water, letting you meet little Nemo clownfish all the way to huge stingrays and friendly Maori Wrasse.
If staying on land is more your style, mingle with cassowaries and crocodiles at the Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat. There's plenty of chances to cuddle koalas or feed kangaroos, and you'll make some friends with native lorkieets and galahs looking for a ride on your shoulder. If you're up for it, you can even cuddle a python!
