Home to the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef and the jaw-droppingly beautiful Daintree Rainforest, it is no surprise the Tropical Far North Queensland (TFNQ) region continues to draw millions of interstate and international tourists to the area year after year. However, these two magnificent natural structures are not the only reasons why a holiday to TFNQ is a must; the area is also famous for its wonderful, balmy tropical weather and gorgeous beaches. Add to that its incredible local food scene, amazing shopping options and its wonderfully warm and welcoming people and you’re set for an unforgettable holiday in paradise.
Home to a population of 150,000 people, the city of Cairns is referred to as the “gateway to the Great Barrier Reef”, thanks to its proximity to some of the most exquisite parts of the reef, and is also conveniently located just over an hour south of the stunning Daintree Rainforest. It also happens to be home to TFNQ’s major domestic and international airports and welcomes travellers visiting Cairns, its nearby beaches and tropical islands, Port Douglas (an hour north) and other beautiful locations.
Don’t just take our word for it, let’s look together now at four major reasons why Tropical Far North Queensland is a must-visit destination!
The Daintree Rainforest
Tropical Far North Queensland may be most famous for the Great Barrier Reef, but the beauty of the ancient, 100 million+ years old Daintree Rainforest should not be underestimated. No trip to TFNQ is complete without witnessing the astounding beauty of the Daintree.
Situated just one hour north of the city of Cairns you shall find the Daintree Rainforest, totalling an area of 1,200 square kilometres and home to some of the rarest and most fascinating plant and animal (some of which are endangered) species found on planet Earth. The Daintree Rainforest truly is jaw-droppingly beautiful and lush, with indescribable beauty everywhere you look. With a multitude of gorgeous landscapes to explore, including crystal clear streams, magical waterfalls and gorges and the lushest green mountains you’ve ever laid eyes on, the Daintree can be explored via a wide variety of walking and hiking tracks, with something to suit all ages and fitness levels.
Mossman Gorge is the most well known and frequented area for visitors to the TFNQ region when it comes to exploring the Daintree Rainforest, as it is conveniently located a mere 20 minutes north of the seaside town of Port Douglas, and a bit over an hour north of Cairns. Due to being crocodile-free, Mossman Gorge is also a beautiful place for a rejuvenating freshwater swim, subject to conditions.
Exploring the Daintree Rainforest means you will be able to admire an enormous array of different tropical plants (a whopping 3000+ plant species call the Daintree home!), including spectacular trees and ferns and gorgeous tropical flowers. Numerous plant species found in the Daintree Rainforest are found nowhere else on Earth. Keep your eyes peeled and you may find you spot a number of different animals too, including beautiful birds, reptiles, insects and frogs, just to name a few. Depending on where you explore the Daintree, it is important to speak to locals to ensure your safety regarding crocodiles.
Image Credit: theblondeabroad.com
The Great Barrier Reef
This article just wouldn’t be complete without including the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef- after all, it attracts more visitors to Tropical Far North Queensland (more than two million people visit the Reef each and every year) than any other natural attraction.
Many people are lost for words when it comes to exploring the magic of the Great Barrier Reef, no matter how they choose to do so, as it truly is like nothing else on Earth. Did you know that the Great Barrier Reef is not in fact one giant reef, but rather a collection of 2,900 individual coral reefs? End to end, the Great Barrier Reef is a jaw-dropping 2,300km long and is so large that it can be seen from outer space!
The World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef begins off the coast of Bundaberg and makes its way north right up to the very tip of northern Australia at Cape York Peninsula. Thousands of different sea animals make up and call the Great Barrier Reef home. In fact, over 600 different species of coral (both hard and soft) form the reef. Amongst these diverse reef systems live over 1,600 beautiful species of tropical fish.
The Great Barrier Reef however is not only home to stunning coral and fish species; it is also home to an enormous array of larger sea animals, too. These include widely loved marine turtles (an incredible six of the world’s seven species live amongst the Great Barrier Reef), inquisitive dolphins, gigantic and majestic rays and even whales, as they migrate back and forth depending on the time of year.
There is a wide variety of different ways you can choose to explore the Great Barrier Reef- from the ever popular choices of snorkelling and scuba diving, to riding in a helicopter, exploring by glass bottom boat, paddle boarding, kayaking… there really is something for everyone! Even if you aren’t a big fan of ocean swimming or are not overly confident in the water, don’t worry, you can still have a marvellous time exploring the reef. Whichever way you choose to explore the reef, you are bound to be armed with memories to last a lifetime.
Heavenly Tropical Climate and Relaxed Lifestyle
Tropical Far North Queensland has some of the best weather in all of Australia, thanks to its warm, balmy weather all year round (including winter!) and is a major drawcard for visitors to the area.
Queenslanders in the TFNQ region are especially friendly and welcoming, and will go out of their way to make sure you have the most fabulous time possible during your visit to the region, regardless of whether you wish to just kick back and relax, or do something adventurous every day of your trip!
Gorgeous Beaches and Exquisite Tropical Islands
If you are chasing some of the finest beaches not only in Australia but the world, alongside spectacular tropical islands, look no further than Tropical Far North Queensland. TFNQ is brimming with stunning beaches, with some of the most famous and popular being Four Mile Beach (one hour north of Cairns in Port Douglas), Palm Cove (a Cairns northern beach) and Nudey Beach, located on Fitzroy Island and the winner of Australia’s Top 101 Beaches Awards in 2018.
Fitzroy Island is the perfect choice if you are wanting to explore one of TFNQ’s most beautiful tropical islands without having to venture far from the mainland, and is also a fabulous choice when it comes to snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, with the reef located just metres from the shore. Fitzroy Island is situated a mere 45-minute Fast Cat ride from the Cairns Marina, and can be visited for a few hours, the day or choose to stay, relax and unwind at Fitzroy Island Resort.
Fitzroy Island’s Nudey Beach is a feast for the eyes- think gorgeous white coral sand, mammoth ancient granite boulders, stunning turquoise water and lush green vegetation. Bring with you a snorkel, mask and fins, and snorkel straight from the water’s edge out onto the Great Barrier Reef, where you may spot beautiful tropical fish, giant clams and perhaps even a majestic sea turtle (for which the area is famous).
Fitzroy Island Resort has accommodation options to suit every taste and budget, and with loads of amazing activities on offer (yet also the perfect place to switch off and do not much at all!), what are you waiting for? We look forward to welcoming you soon!
