Cairns and Tropical North Queensland
Boyd’s forest dragon – not only camouflaged;they seldom move.

Forget kangaroos:These charming creatures are Australia’s true animal icons

They’re small,silent and camouflaged,which makes hunting forest dragons in Tropical North Queensland unexpectedly thrilling.

  • byBrian Johnston
Aerial view of Sunlover Reef Cruise moored at Moore Reef pontoon
Destination guide
Cairns

Cairns and Tropical North Queensland

Your guide to where to stay,eat and the must-see highlights. From the world’s oldest rainforest to a buzzing culinary scene and natural highlights galore.

Rainforest canopy walk.

Underrated engineering marvel should be a top Queensland attraction

Mamu Tropical Skywalk offers a bird’s-eye view of croc-infested waters and rainforest 80 million years older than the Amazon.

  • byIsobel King
Coral propagation involves planting broken fragments of living coral directly onto the reef.

Coral recovery at the Great Barrier Reef:Tour operators doing their bit

I'm engulfed by fish and the visibility is so clear that I can easily make out the coral gardens and shallow reefs I'm headed for.

  • byIsobel King
The Daintree is an ancient rainforest dating back 130 million years (about 110 million years older than the Amazon).

Daintree rainforest,Queensland:Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre guided walk through the forest older than the Amazon

You can't really explore the Daintree without meeting the people who know it best.

  • bySteve Meacham
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The Daintree:Pure magic.

Daintree rainforest wildlife:Pythons a problem without their natural predator - us

Luminous fruit,fierce cassowaries,blue neon bees and a booming population of pythons:these are the things you could see in Far North Queensland.

  • byLee Tulloch
The project on the Great Barrier Reef,to boost coral resilience,is a collaboration with Mars Sustainable Solutions,part of Mars Incorporated,and Reef Magic Cruises,alongside James Cook University and Indigenous rangers.

Grow-your-own coral:How science is giving the Great Barrier Reef a helping hand

Great Barrier Reef coral has just been given a helping hand.

  • byKerry van der Jagt
The aquamarine waters of Torres Strait.

Torres Strait Islands tours:Remote spot now easier to reach

New and innovative Indigenous-owned tourism ventures are flourishing across Queensland's top end

  • byKerry van der Jagt
Cairns Terminal 2 has well-designed layout,which allows for good passenger flow.

Airport review:Cairns T2 Domestic Terminal

Thanks to a $55 million terminal upgrade,Cairn's bright and breezy terminal instantly connects visitors with Tropical North Queensland.

  • byKerry van der Jagt
The new Hands on Country tour with Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours is a memorable experience.

Cairns Indigenous experience tour:A must-do in Australia's tropical playground

I always try to connect to a place by doing something local and,hopefully,memorable.

  • byLee Tulloch