Tropical North Queensland

Travel Guide

Magnetic Island showing general coastal views, jet skiing and a sandy beach
Palm Cove Beach which includes a sunset, a sandy beach and general coastal views
Maritime Museum of Townsville featuring a lighthouse
Cairns which includes coral, landscape views and tropical scenes
Magnetic Island National Park which includes rugged coastline and general coastal views

Rainforests, reefs, grasslands and outback: this part of Australia is a fascinating place of diverse natural attractions and cultural gems.

Tropical North Queensland is a land of extraordinary natural beauty and diversity. This rich environment has helped shape the indigenous culture, which stretches back more than 40,000 years. Embark on a jungle safari, dive the world's largest coral reef system, witness traditional practices and wander through ancient lava tubes.

The gateway to the tropical wonderland of North Queensland is Cairns, a modern, laid-back city on Australia's east coast. Make a day of it on white-sand beaches or tackle the slides at Sugar World Water Park.

Cairns is also an ideal base for exploring one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef. Discover its remarkable biodiversity on a snorkeling or diving trip. Get your heart pumping above the surface with watersports such as parasailing and jet skiing.

Surrounding Cairns is the Wet Tropics Rainforests, thought to be the world’s oldest rainforests. Go on long-distance bushwalks, join crocodile spotting tours and picnic by waterfalls. These rainforests have been home to Aboriginal peoples for thousands of years. Learn about the Pamagirri culture and watch a tribal dance show at the Rainforestation Nature Park.

Located 56 miles (90 kilometers) southwest of Cairns is the Atherton Tablelands, part of the Great Dividing Range. This fertile highland region encompasses rainforests, crater lakes, wetlands and savannah. Enjoy an epic bike ride through Atherton Forest, go on self-drive tours and visit the mountain village of Kuranda. Browse its markets, book a riverboat cruise and see tropical butterflies at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

Stop by Atherton town and tour the Hou Wang Chinese Temple and Museum for insights into the region's Chinese settlers.

Leave enough time to experience more of Tropical North Queensland's environs. Explore the gorges, limestone caves and fossil fields of the Gulf of Savannah, a vast outback region. Venture into a lava tube cave system at Undara Volcanic National Park.

If you are traveling from overseas, fly into Cairns and get ready for a vacation of incredible wildlife encounters, awe-inspiring scenery and fascinating cultural insights.

Where to stay in Tropical North Queensland

Palm Cove showing a beach, a garden and tropical scenes

Palm Cove

Palm Cove is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Palm Cove Beach and Kuranda National Park.

Palm Cove
Cairns which includes a city

Cairns Central Business District

4.5/5(264 area reviews)

Cairns Central Business District is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Esplanade Lagoon and Cairns Marlin Marina, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Cairns.

Cairns Central Business District
Trinity Beach showing landscape views, tropical scenes and a beach

Trinity Beach

Travelers to Trinity Beach praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach.

Trinity Beach
Cairns Esplanade which includes a luxury hotel or resort, swimming and a pool

Cairns North

Beaches and abundant dining options are well-reviewed features of Cairns North. Make a stop by top sights like Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland while you're exploring the area.

Cairns North
Clifton Beach featuring mountains, a luxury hotel or resort and golf

Clifton Beach

Travelers come to Clifton Beach for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like Clifton Beach and Palm Cove Beach while you're in town.

Clifton Beach
The Strand which includes hiking or walking, a sunset and general coastal views

The Strand

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to The Strand. A stop by The Strand Beach or Strand Waterpark might round out your trip.

The Strand
Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns

5 out of 5
34 Esplanade, Cairns, QLD
The price is NT$5,613 per night from Oct 17 to Oct 18
NT$5,613
NT$6,175 total
Oct 17 - Oct 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"The staff was excellent including the front desk and the breakfast staff who made our stay very enjoyable even though it was very busy throughout our stay. The room and property were clean and inviting. Thanks for a great time."

Reviewed on 2025/9/9

Hilton Cairns
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

5 out of 5
Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas, QLD
The price is NT$7,869 per night from Oct 12 to Oct 13
NT$7,869
NT$8,656 total
Oct 12 - Oct 13
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Port Douglas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 12 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (993 reviews)
"High service standards, serene and peaceful even when full house. Amenities are amazing, regular visitor"

Reviewed on 2025/9/8

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
Cairns Colonial Club Resort

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

4 out of 5
18-26 Cannon Street, Manunda, QLD
The price is NT$2,323 per night from Oct 12 to Oct 13
NT$2,323
NT$2,555 total
Oct 12 - Oct 13
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,013 reviews)
"Staff - quiet - amenities"

Reviewed on 2025/9/10

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Southern Cross Atrium Apartments

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments

4 out of 5
3-11 Water Street, Cairns, QLD
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,565 reviews)
"We were very happy there.Everything was close.If we go there again we will request the bottom floor as going up and down the stairs was a lot but not your fault. Thankyou"

Reviewed on 2025/9/4

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments
Madison Ocean Breeze

Madison Ocean Breeze

3.5 out of 5
81 Mitchell Street, North Ward, QLD
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Townsville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (556 reviews)
"Nice place to stay."

Reviewed on 2025/9/8

Madison Ocean Breeze
Oaks Townsville Hotel

Oaks Townsville Hotel

4.5 out of 5
81 Palmer Street, South Townsville, QLD
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Townsville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,540 reviews)
"Very nice relaxing accommodation meals are good"

Reviewed on 2025/9/9

Oaks Townsville Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Cities near Tropical North Queensland