Babinda Boulders: surrounded by thick, lush rainforest, the Babinda Boulders are a popular attraction south of Cairns. It is a classic example of the fast flowing tropical creeks in the area that are perfect for afternoon dips in the cool water to combat the tropical heat. Near the car park are a number of swimming holes where the creek gently winds its way through giant whale-like boulders. Further downstream, the creek turns into a raging torrent as it thunders down the mountainside into the valley below.
Misty Mountain Trails: Australia’s first network of long distance walking trails in a high altitude rainforest environment, Misty Mountain Trails are situated between the towns of Innisfail, Tully, Ravenshoe and Millaa Millaa. This 130km walking network offers a variety of rainforest walks from shorter half day and day walks to longer treks requiring overnight camping. Passing through some of North Queensland’s most pristine rainforest, the trails give access to stunning waterfalls, spectacular rainforest, crystal clear creeks and magnificent vistas.
Cooktown: For anyone making the trek to The Top, this is where it all begins. Situated at the spot where british navigaor James Cook repaired the damaged Endeavour in 1770, Cooktown boasts a unique character, based on its years of geographic isolation and hard life. The town is surrounded by the unspoilt natural beauty of the area, and first time visitors really feel like they've stumbled back in time and come across a local secret. There is plenty to do in and around Cooktown if you are not using it as your step-off point on a journey north.
The Sunlander: linking Brisbane and Cairns, The Sunlander train services many of Australia's iconic oceanside destinations - Fraser Island, The Whitsundsay Islands, The Great Barrier Reef and the tropical city of Cairns. On the way it passes through some of Australia's most scenic sub-tropical and tropical regions. There are three departures each week in both directions for what must surely be Queensland Rail's flagship service.
Lake Eacham
Crater Lakes: the crater lakes of the Atheron Tablelands have very deep, crystal-clear water. They are surrounded by dense tropical forest and have been developed for water sports. Giant red cedars have been preserved near Lake Eacham. The giant Cathedral Fig Tree and the Curtain Fig Tree are close by. Towards Ravenshoe you will come across the most dramatic of the tableland's crater lakes, Mt Hypipamee Lake, which fills the cone of the crater.
Townsville: a city of some 166,000 people, Townsville is adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef in the dry tropics. It enjoys over 300 days of sunshine each year, which lends itself to tourism activities, however the city has suffred from having few landmark attractions within its boundaries, being more of a commercial centre for the region.
Magnetic Island: just offshore from Townsville in Cleveland Bay, this mountainous island has long become established as a holiday destination with many hotels and several resorts in operation to cater for all levels of service. The locals like it so much it has effectively become a suburb of Townsville, with 2,107 permanent residents, but don't let that put you of from visiting, either for a day trip or longer.
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Mission Beach: if you are looking for a picture-perfect tropical paradise on the Australian mainland, the hideaway township of Mission Beach fits the bill perfectly. Mission Beach could well appear on any postcard requiring a long sandy beach lined with palm trees. The impressive Dunk and Bedarra Islands sit off the coast just to make the picture even more perfect. Mission Beach is surrounded by a lush backdrop of World Heritage Listed wet tropical rainforest, endless white sandy beaches and the silvery shimmering blues of the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef. If there is a chance of seeing an endangered Cassowary, Mission Beach is the place where it will happen. They are regularly seen crossing the roads and are often seen wandering through the township.
Mossman Gorge
Mossman Gorge: The gorge is a very accessible and scenic section of Daintree National Park where the crystal-clear Mossman River cascades over granite boulders. There are two main walling tracks - Stroll along thea 400 metre river circuit track to viewing platforms over the Mossman River, and a 2.7 kilometre loop track through lush, green rainforests where Strangler figs and epiphytic plants flourish and giant moss covered boulders abound.
Kuranda: A compact settlement surrounded by rainforest, Kuranda has become a major tourist attraction in North Queensland. For a great day out from Cairns or Port Douglas, you can either take the 30 minute drive from Cairns into the mountains behind the city, or opt for a ride on the world renowned Kuranda Scenic Railway, which winds its way up a gorge through 15 tunnels and over 40 bridges. The line clings to the rock face and passengers can almost touch the waterfalls as they climb the mountains towards the Atherton Tableland. Travel on one of Australia's finest tourist railways to the picturesque mountain retreat of Kuranda, the world famous village in the rainforest.
The Great Green Way: a tourist drive through an area of outstanding natural beauty lying between Townsville and Cairns, Far North Queensland, including two World Heritage listings of the Wet Tropics Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef. The area has over 25 tropical islands off its coast, over 12 mainland National Parks, and it is the closest mainland access in Queensland to the Outer Barrier Reef.
The Savannahlander: a truly unique railway journey that travels all the way from Cairns to Forsayth, 423 kilometres away, over two days. Affectionately known as 'The Silver Bullet', the 1960's Savannahlander is one of the world's greatest rail experiences, offering passengers the opportunity to discover the outback in a very unique and comfortable way.
The Rainforest Coast Drive: follow the coastal road from Cairns to Cooktown through the only place on the planet where two World Heritage sites, the Wet Tropics of Australia (containing the world's oldest rainforest) and the Great Barrier Reef, converge. The Daintree Rainforest contains the last remnant of the oldest surviving rainforest in the world. The Great Barrier Reef, covering an area bigger than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland, is the largest World Heritage Area in the world. Together they support the richest biological diversity on the planet.
Charters Towers: outstanding among Queensland towns for its historic character and appeal, which is derived in the main from its interesting collection of 19th and early 20th century buildings and streetscapes. The town centre, with its banks, shops and community buildings, remains much as it was in the 1920s, an evocative reminder of the past and an outstanding part of Queensland's heritage.
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Dunk Island: a great holiday destination located off the coast of Mission Beach, just south of Cairns. The island is a National Park and lies in the beautiful Great Barrier Reef Heritage area. It has lush rainforests, sandy beaches with rocky shores, it also has a semi rugged terrain with foothills making Mt Kootaloo the highest point on Dunk Island. The Dunk Island Resort offers a range of facilities and activities such as swimming pools, skydiving, horseriding and Barrier Reef snorkelling and diving. Though the island is a resort, there is a section set aside for daytrippers.
Chillagoe marble mine
Chillagoe: 140 km west of Mareeba, the former mining town of Chillagoe is one of the favoured haunts of mining buffs. The town is a stunning mix of outback landscape, mining heritage, aboriginal art sites and fantastic limestone caves. The old township is still dominated by the Chillagoe smelters, which were built at the turn of the 20th century.
The Chillagoe Caves feature spectacular formations of stalactites and stalagmites. From the caves there's a walking track to the nearby Balancing Rock formation and some Aboriginal rock art. Marble mining was once an immense industry in Chillagoe and it is possible to view the open marble pits as you drive past them.
Cape York Peninsula: the trek to the tip of Cape York is undoubtedly every Australian four-wheel-driver's ultimate road trip. The journey, with its unexpected pleasures, friends and difficulties, lures trekkers back time and time again, so much so that for many it has become an annual ritual. The road conditions are always unpredictable, even though travel is restricted to the dry season, because of the cape's extreme conditions.
The Savannah Way: One of Australia's ultimate adventure drives, The Savannah Way traverses the top end of Australia, linking Cairns in Tropical North Queensland with the historic pearling town of Broome in Western Australia, via the natural wonders of Australia's far north.
Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway: south of Millaa Millaa, the road to the coast descends the Atherton Tablelands towards the town of Innisfail. On they way is the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway, a 350 metre high elevated walkway above the rainforest, at canopy level.
Herberton: once the most important mining town on the Atherton Tablelands, the town has many old buildings; the mining museum at the Great Northern Freehold Mine is very interesting. Carrington Falls are nearby. TThe Spy & Camera Museum is a totally one of a kind, unique museum that traces not only the history of photography but the importance of cameras in the world of espionage. The exhibits include the world's best spy cameras.
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