Tropical North Queensland | Things to do

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  2. Explore Queensland
  3. Tropical North Queensland Visitor’s Guide
  4. Things to do in Tropical North Queensland

See the only place on earth where two World Heritage Sites meet – the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef – and where Australia’s two Indigenous cultures come together. Discover a castle in the rainforest at Paronella Park, walk through the vast Undara Lava Tubes or test yourself with an Ironman, mountain biking or marathon endurance event.

Great Barrier Reef

The northern end of the Great Barrier Reef is at your doorstep in Tropical North Queensland. Dive and snorkel over pristine coral, swim with dwarf minke whales every June/July, take a scenic flight for a private picnic on the white sand of Vlassof Cay and Mackay Cay, and tackle some of the country’s most epic fishing adventures in the Torres Strait or Gulf of Carpentaria. 


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Great Barrier Reef
Indigenous culture
Adrenalin and adventure
Minke whales
Rainforest and wildlife
Health and fitness
Road trips
Restaurants
Fishing in Tropical North Queensland

Daintree Rainforest & outdoors

Froom Cooktown to Mission Beach, the Wet Tropics of Tropical North Queensland are the oldest rainforests in the world. Walk and hike through the verdant landscape, find hidden waterfalls and swim in fresh waterholes, and look for the elusive cassowary, the third largest bird in the world. There’s adventure, too – jungle surfing through the canopy, white-water rafting on the Baron and Tully rivers, and horse riding on the beach at Cape Tribulation.

Experience timeless culture

Connect with the oldest cultures on earth. Visit ancient Aboriginal rock art sites and contemporary Torres Strait art galleries, learn how to hunt with Kuku Yalanji guides in Cooya Beach, and join in the celebrations at the Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.

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The Crystal Caves

Atherton,
From AU$25 - 25
The Crystal Caves will rock your world! One hour from Cairns on the Atherton Tablelands, share one man’s passion for crystals and fossils at the Crystal Caves. Journey through 300 square metres of tunnels and grottos that Rene built to feature his million year old natural crystals and prehistoric fossils.

Birdworld Kuranda

Kuranda,
From AU$19 - 19
Home to the largest single collection of free flying birds in Australia (some 500 of them!), Birdworld Kuranda displays no less than 60 species of the most spectacular birds from all corners of the planet - as well as from the earth's fast diminishing rainforests.

Kuranda Koala Gardens

Kuranda,
From AU$19.00 - 19.00
This award winning boutique style wildlife experience, Kuranda Koala Gardens, is in Kuranda Village right at the Heritage Markets. This is the only place in Kuranda village where you can enjoy the 'Cuddle a Koala' opportunity.

Cairns Museum

Cairns, Cairns Area
From AU$15 - 30
The Cairns Museum has amazing stories to share about living in the tropics. Stories of heat, sweat and hard work. Of cane, railways, rainforests and reefs. Of White Australia, Aboriginal resistance and European isolation.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

Smithfield, Cairns Area
From AU$62 - 123
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is the ultimate place to experience the rich and ancient cultures unique to Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For over 26 years the park has engaged, entertained and educated thousands through two very unique experiences known to many as "Tjapukai By Day" and "Tjapukai By Night", each distinctly different.

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

Kuranda,
From AU$20 - 20
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit in Australia - an all-weather experience in the heart of Kuranda. Home to over 2,000 magnificent tropical butterflies, you will be enchanted by the aerial dynamics of these elusive wonders of nature as you wander through the aviary's rainforest gardens.

Cairns Aquarium

Cairns, Cairns Area
From AU$42.00 - 199.00
Cairns Aquarium is Australia’s newest and most spectacular aquarium. It is the only aquarium in the world to exclusively showcase the stunning aquatic wildlife from tropical North Queensland’s two World Heritage listed areas – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest.

Sweet Farm Tours

Mossman, Douglas Area
From AU$33.00 - 33.00
Their unique Australian Farm Gate Experience offers an educational journey covering everything you ever wanted to know about Australian Origin Cocoa a working Sugarcane Farm, Australian grown Vanilla and a Koala Food Tree Plantation.

Historic Village Herberton

Herberton,
From AU$26 - 29
A visit to the Historic Village Herberton is like stepping back in time. Showcasing Australia's rich and diverse history this outdoor pioneer museum is testament to an era that is long gone. Open year round to visitors, the Village collects, preserves and displays fascinating historical exhibits from across Australia.

Paronella Park

Mena Creek, Cassowary Coast Area
From AU$47 - 47
Everyone has a dream. José Paronella's dream became a reality. On five hectares beside Mena Creek Falls he built his castle, a picnic area by the falls, tennis courts, bridges, a tunnel, and wrapped it up in an amazing range of 7,500 tropical plants and trees.
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I love Mission Beach for the endless supply of coconuts and rope swings! Kate Duffy
Mission Beach
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