Tropical North Queensland Travel Maps & Location Guides

Cairns is the heart of Tropical North Queensland and Australia's primary gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is a vibrant, eclectic city framed by the spectacular twin backdrops of rainforest mountain ranges and the sparkling Coral Sea. The World Heritage listed Wet Tropics Rainforest... read more

Hinchinbrook Island is Australia's largest National Park island. It is uninhabited except for the award-winning, environmentally friendly Hinchinbrook Island Resort at Cape Richards. The Island abounds in flora, fauna, palm-fringed beaches, mangrove waterways and rugged granite crags... read more

Lizard Island is a ruggedly beautiful island on the northern Great Barrier Reef in Tropical North Queensland. Lizard boasts 24 pristine beaches that range from white sand to rocky escarpments and easy access to some of the best scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. Lizard Island is renowned... read more

Port Douglas in Tropical North Queensland is one of Queensland's premier holiday destinations. Located just north of Cairns, Port Douglas offers a sophisticated and low-key escape for travellers from around the world. Known as a glamorous hotspot for the famous, Port Douglas still manages... read more

Cape York and the Gulf Savannah in Tropical North Queensland are truly the last Australian frontier. Located on the northernmost tip of Australia, Cape York Peninsula is a wild and sparsely populated wilderness area that is only accessible during the dry months from April to December... read more

Dunk Island a stunning island just off the coast of Mission Beach in north Queensland. Most of the island is national park, with unique tracts of rainforests, pristine beaches and abundant species of wildlife. There are plenty of walking trails on the island so you can fully experience the... read more

Stretching more than 2000km along the Queensland coastline and covering 35 million hectares, the Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef. It is home to an abundance of marine wildlife - including more than 1500 brilliantly coloured species of tropical fish, 4000 species of molluscs... read more

Located just off the Queensland coast midway between Townsville and Cairns lies Bedarra Island - a part of the Family Group of Islands. Bedarra Island offers unspoilt rainforests and palm-fringed beaches, where the clear blue waters of the Coral Sea meet pristine white sand... read more

This is one of Queensland's most scenic national parks. Numerous freshwater springs feed Lawn Hill Creek, and the park features spectacular gorge country, sandstone ranges and significant fossils. The Waanyi Aboriginal people have strong cultural ties with the park, while pastoralists of... read more

The Gulf Savannah is an interesting region to visit all year, however, during the monsoonal season, transportation methods must be carefully considered, as some parts of the Gulf Savannah region suffer from a lack of road infrastructure. Burketown sits on the Albert River and on the east-west... read more

Cape Tribulation is a small village in Tropical North Queensland where the frontier of the north really begins. Once you cross the Daintree River by ferry, you've entered into 4WD only country. You'll soon pass through lowland and tropical rainforest to the road junctions for Cape Kimberley... read more

Situated on the waterfront of the Northern entrance to the Hinchinbrook Channel, Cardwell is a small town with all civic facilities and a great retail centre. It is the oldest town in Tropical North Queensland and was founded in 1864. Cardwell is renowned for its great fishing, crabbing... read more

140 kilometres west of Mareeba, the former mining town of Chillagoe is one of the favoured haunts of mining buffs tracing the heady days of the 1870's to the 1920's mining boom. It's easy to see why. The town is a stunning mix of outback landscape, mining heritage, aboriginal art sites... read more

Dry tropical open woodlands in this national park hide underground caves of breathtaking natural beauty. Pockets of deciduous vine thicket cling to jagged limestone outcrops. Laid down 400 million years ago, the limestone has been weathered, dissolved and reformed by water to create caverns... read more

Cobbold Gorge is a pristine natural environment located in North Queensland. The gorge itself is unique with its narrow shape and ancient rock formation. Tall cliffs guide flowing creeks and give life to native plant and fauna. Visitors can experience the gorge by cruising right through it... read more

Cooktown is a small frontier town located in the far north of Tropical North Queensland. Cooktown boasts a unique character that is evidenced from its years of geographic isolation and hard-living, but it is this local charm that makes it all the more appealing. Add to this the unspoilt natural... read more

General Information: The Gulf Savannah is an interesting region to visit all year, however, during the monsoon season, transportation methods must be carefully considered, as some parts of the Gulf Savannah region suffer from a lack of road infrastructure. The Gulflander is an historic railway... read more

The township of Daintree, perched on a bend of the Daintree River, is just further on from the turn off to the Daintree Ferry. Lunch on freshly caught barramundi at one of the local restaurants, browse the art and craft shops, and enjoy the ambience of this laidback village... read more

Fitzroy Island is located near Cairns in Tropical North Queensland and is popular for daytrips due to its close proximity to the Queensland coast. Fitzroy is a national park island with a small portion occupied by Fitzroy Island Resort. Fitzroy has a steep mountain and two main walking trails... read more

Green Island is a coral cay northeast of Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. Green Island is boasts an unspoilt rainforest, stunning beaches and surrounding reef…so close that you can snorkel directly off the beach. Green Island is perfect for day-trippers from Cairns, but if you'd like... read more

Innisfail is a prosperous, colourful town, situated on the North and South Johnstone Rivers, and is surrounded by rich green landscape. Lush sugar plantations flow from the dense rainforest coastline to the thick jungles of the Palmerston National Park to the west. Sugar has been grown here... read more

The Gulf Savannah is an interesting region to visit all year, however during the monsoon season, transportation methods must be carefully considered, as some parts of the Gulf Savannah region suffer from a lack of road infrastructure. Karumba is situated on the mouth of the Norman River and... read more

The picturesque mountain retreat of Kuranda Village is just 25 kilometres northwest of Cairns in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is a vibrant little town surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest. Historic Buildings from the villages past now house a variety of upmarket restaurants, cafes... read more

Malanda was first developed in the 1880's and has since become the milk capital of north Queensland. Situated 85km from Cairns atop the Atherton Tablelands malanda is a small and pleasant town surrounded by some picturesque waterfalls and rainforest. in 1886 a decision was made to connect Malanda... read more

Mareeba, Shire of Diversity, is the second largest Shire in Queensland. It is rich in agriculture, mining, cattle as well as horticulture and offers visitors to the shire, friendly country hospitality and a wealth of options for exploring this beautiful rugged land. Expert tourist information... read more

Mission Beach is a relaxed, yet vibrant beachfront town with over 14 kilometres of magnificent golden sandy beaches. Here two World Heritage areas, The Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest, come together to form a tropical paradise. In many places, the rainforest literally fringes... read more

Mossman is the seat of local government and the centre of the sugar industry. It is a pleasant little town set amid the splendour of green canefields and rainforest clad mountains. Distance From Brisbane (State Capital): 1882 kilometres north. read more

The Gulf Savannah region extends from the Great Dividing Range in the east to the Northern Territory border in the west. The Gulf Savannah region is a safari country of golden savannah grasslands abounding with wildlife. Established on the Norman River by William Landsborough, Normanton was... read more

Palm Cove in Tropical North Queensland offers a serene holiday experience. Set amidst an idyllic stretch of beach and luxurious resorts just north of Cairns, Palm Cove is a haven for the indulgent. Palm Cove offers a variety of activities for you. Spend your days lazing away on the beach... read more

Ravenshoe, the highest town in Queensland at 930 metres, is a lush region of mountain pastures and unspoiled World Heritage rainforest. Situated five kilometres from Ravenshoe you will find windmills that are 46 metres freestanding and twenty of them together is a spectacular sight to behold... read more

Trinity Beach is a lovely beach town just north of Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. Trinity Beach boasts a relaxed holiday atmosphere, a beautiful stretch of beach, and several accommodation and dining options where you can enjoy the tropical surroundings. Trinity Beach, along with Yorkey's... read more

Train buffs take note. The Savannahlander is one of tropical North Queensland's unusual rail journeys. It runs from Cairns to Forsayth overnighting in Almaden. It traces an important railway system that was developed by John Moffat as part of his vast mining empire in the late 1800s... read more

Atherton is the 'capital' of the lovely Tropical Tablelands, a land of beautiful lakes, waterfalls, rich red soil and tropical rainforest. Here the temperature is cooler, the pace is slower and there is a feeling of relaxation in the air. The rich Tableland area is famous for producing... read more

Aurukun is a local authority, one of two Aboriginal communities in Queensland which is not governed by a Deed of Grant in Trust. The key reason to visit Aurukun, apart from supplies, is the wonderful Art Centre which supplies galleries all over Australia. Have a look at the white board where... read more

Ayton is a good spot to revive your spirits. Strategically placed on the Cooktown to Cape Tribulation road known as The Bloomfield Track there's a store, cafe, takeaway, campground and accommodation. Head down to the beautiful hidden treasure of Weary Bay beach your worries will be washed... read more

The small blue timber building on the corner of Bruce Highway and Monro Street clearly indicates that this community is serious about tourism because this is the official tourist information centre and its location is designed to catch your attention when you enter town... read more

There's plenty of life in the old mining community of Coen. Originally the town was created around a repeater station in the Overland Telegraph Line to the Tip of Cape York Peninsula. Camp on the town's outskirts in a bush camping ground at The Bend on Coen river - you will appreciate... read more

As your vehicle leaves the ferry on the northern bank of the Daintree River you know you have arrived at a very special place. This World Heritage-listed region has very strict restrictions on accommodation and other developments. The road winds through thick rainforests and the first commercial... read more

Dimbulah gives access to the historic Hodgkinson Goldfield. Tyrconnell, Kingsborough and Mt Mulligan were towns which developed around crushing mills along the Hodgkinson River. By 1880, four years after the discovery of minerals, the population in this area reached nearly 10,000 with settlements... read more

Doomadgee offers a good service point on the Savannah way west of Burketown (138 kilometres from the Northern Territory border). This community was originally established near Point Parker by the Brethren sect as a mission and later moved south to its present location close to the Nicholson... read more

Just off the coast of Palm Cove, Double Island is an exclusive island getaway. Privately owned and operated, Double Island can only be hired on a whole-of-island basis. Enjoy the idyllic location close to the Great Barrier Reef and the tranquilly of this tropical paradise... read more

Einasleigh in the 21st century is only a small community - there are no shops however there is a hotel where you can purchase food. You can also top up fuel here or go get food from the roadside caravan takeway under a massive tamarind tree tipped to be more than a century old... read more

Sometimes history is more bizarre than fiction. Forsayth was once paved in gold - in a manner of speaking. Part of the Etheridge Goldfield, this area was known as 'Poor Man's Goldfield' as a prospector did not need expensive equipment to search for gold... read more

Gordonvale, historically a sugar town and today a quintessential Australian country town with courteous storekeepers, well-preserved streetscapes, historic buildings and a great sense of community. Near Gordonvale stands the highest free-standing mountain peak in the world (not part of a... read more

The old Gregory Downs Hotel holds court as the centre of society. Originally built to serve passengers on the coach run from Burketown, the hotel is in the historic village of Gregory Downs which accesses the perennially-flowing Gregory River. At one time it was a Mounted Police post... read more

Haggerstone Island is located about 600 kilometres north of Cairns alongside the rugged Cape York Peninsula. It is an exclusive island retreat where you can enjoy the beauty of nature. Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef or simply bask in the sun…do as little or as much as you like... read more

If you like painting or using the camera, then visit Herberton for some inspiration. This old tin mining town has a wonderful collection of Queensland architecture - large houses with wide verandahs and the rich colours of Jacaranda trees in bloom during winter. This well-preserved town centre... read more

Hope Vale Aboriginal community lies 40 kilometres north of Cooktown. Originally established as a Moravian Lutheran Mission on the east coast near Cape Bedford, the community was later moved to this present location. Visit Hope Vale to reach a highly-acclaimed Aboriginal guide who can show... read more

Tap into the healing power of the earth at Innot Hot Springs, a small town west of Ravenshoe. Here, natural underground water issues at a temperature of 78C (though temperatures vary). Up until 1900, the mineral water was bottled and sent to Europe - mules hauled the water over the Cardwell... read more

Like sage old friends, old fig trees lining the town into Irvinebank always provide a place of welcome. These hospitable old gentlemen are happy to provide shade and shelter for a picnic or a cool spot of relaxation. They also have witnessed the activity of this small historic village, west... read more