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Your journey through Tropical North Queensland
From ancient swimming holes just minutes down the road to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and the oldest rainforest on Earth, here's what awaits — starting from your doorstep and radiating outward.
Some of Australia's most spectacular waterfalls and swimming holes are right on your doorstep. The ancient Babinda Boulders are just a short drive south — a sacred place of mossy granite and crystal-clear pools. A little further, Josephine Falls cascades down natural granite slides surrounded by lush rainforest. Head north towards Cairns for Crystal Cascades, a local favourite hidden in the hills.
The vibrant gateway to Tropical North Queensland. A straight drive north along the Bruce Highway brings you to the Cairns Esplanade and its famous free public Lagoon, the bustling Rusty's Markets overflowing with tropical fruit and local crafts, and waterfront dining along the Boardwalk. With a laid-back tropical atmosphere, excellent restaurants, and the departure point for reef and island tours, the city makes for a great day out.
Rise above the coast via the scenic Gillies Highway — which begins just 10 minutes north at Gordonvale — and climb into the cool, green highlands. Discover volcanic crater lakes like Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham, walk beneath the colossal Cathedral Fig Tree, spot wild platypus at dawn in the streams around Yungaburra, and explore charming highland villages with heritage markets and local produce.
From the palm-lined shores of Palm Cove and the family-friendly sands of Trinity Beach to the coral-fringed Fitzroy Island and tropical paradise of Green Island, the coastline north of Cairns offers something for every beach lover. Swim, kayak, snorkel straight off the beach, or simply relax with views across the Coral Sea.
Just off the coast lies the world's largest coral reef system — a kaleidoscope of marine life, vibrant coral gardens, and crystal-clear waters. Day trips depart daily from the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. Whether you snorkel, dive, or explore by glass-bottom boat, the reef is an unforgettable experience and one of the main reasons visitors come to Tropical North Queensland.
The Daintree is the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforest on Earth — over 180 million years old. Drive north through Cairns and along the coast, cross the Daintree River by cable ferry, and discover Cape Tribulation where the rainforest meets the reef. Walking trails wind through the canopy, crocodiles cruise the river, and pristine beaches stretch between the jungle and the sea.
Every adventure begins at Ahana Hillside
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