Queensland - The Tropical North

Jump down to find what to do and where to stay in Tropical North Queensland

Blessed by nature and truly tropical, North Queensland offers a laid-back atmosphere amidst golden beaches, blue waters and lush green rainforests.

It’s easy to get a taste of the tropical in the northern regions of Queensland. Blue waters encompass reef, while green rainforests house endless wildlife and beauty. Along the coast, see the colourful marine life, enjoy time on a paradise island or relax under a palm tree on a golden beach. Lush ancient rainforests stretch right up to the sea, covering a whole world of wildlife.

Whether you want action on the water, or to discover the natural wonders of the rainforest, there is an outstanding amount of activities in Tropical Queensland. Diving and snorkelling are most common, but there are watersports, boat trips, sailing and fishing too. Head inland on a four-wheel drive or go up in a hot air balloon.

With its enviable tropical lifestyle and cosmopolitan feel, Cairns is a great base from which to explore Tropical North Queensland, including the iconic sights of the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. You can pretty much arrange any activity you want from Cairns; it has shops and markets, as well as bars and a good nightlife. Boat excursions depart from the pier to the neighbouring islands, while the adventures of the tropical rainforest are close by.

Trinity Beach, part of Cairns’ Northern Beaches, offers a relaxed, tropical setting and glorious sand lined with palms. One of the most popular in the area, it nestles between two headlands, providing an ideal bay in which to enjoy activities. There are restaurants and shops, while the picnic tables and barbecues are handy for an alfresco lunch. Cairns as a whole offers a dynamic and diverse array of quality cuisine, making it perfect for those who appreciate delicious food.

Port Douglas has a charming village atmosphere and is the perfect place to explore the wonders of the Reef, the Daintree and Cape Tribulation. The golden sands of Four Mile Beach are a wonderful place to relax, while the golf course, marina and selection of shopping boutiques will keep you entertained. Located between Cairns and Port Douglas, Palm Cove lies within rainforest-covered mountains and the Coral Sea. This tranquil setting of white sands and calm blue waters is perfect for water activities and swimming in the sea, as it has a stinger-free enclosure. There are also plenty of boutiques, galleries and shops.

Believed to be the oldest virgin rainforest in the world, the Daintree spreads over the Bellenden Ker mountain range and the lowlands below. The Daintree National Park is a great place to explore, and the small town of Cape Tribulation at its heart is an excellent base for exploring. A guided four-wheel-drive day trip into the rainforest is one of the easiest ways to see this glorious habitat.

Further south and out to sea are the perfectly situated Whitsunday Islands, including Hamilton and Hayman. There are awesome coral reefs surrounding the islands with attractive beaches and sparkling azure waters, fascinating flora and fauna and ample activities to take part in such as bushwalking, diving, sea kayaking, fishing and even seeing the Australian Koala.

What to do and where to stay in Tropical North Queensland

Where to stay Palm Cove Hotel Angsana, Palm Cove Review	- Palm Cove is considerably smaller than Port Douglas and most of the accommodation is directly on the sea front. The Angsana is the only resort to have direct beach access (i.e. no road or mangroves/dunes to walk over/through)...
Where to stay Whitsundays Hotel Hayman Island Listing and Review	- Hayman is just a fantastically located island, the natural beauty of this part of the Whitsundays is hard to beat. The resort has been considered the premier spot for many years, true it may have lost some of its prestige, but it is still a great place...
Where to stay Cairns Hotel Lakes Resort, Cairns Listing and Review	- Just spent 3 nights at the Lakes Resort in Cairns. Great size apartments, blocks of apartments based around landscaped gardens, pool area and BBQ. Location is ideal for day tour pick ups. This is the thing about Cairns accommodation, you spent nearly all of the day out on activities, whether reef, rainforest, town, etc...
Where to stay Port Douglas Hotel Mandalay, Port Douglas Review	- Arrived in Port Douglas to the best surprise of trip so far. The Mandalay Luxury Beachfront Apartments are great. They are the closest I have stayed to the beach in Port Douglas, 20 yards and you walk through the dunes and onto 4 mile beach...
Where to stay Whitsundays Hotel qualia Review	- qualia met and exceeded all my expectations. The reality for once matched the buzz. It's setting at the far end of Hamilton Island ensures privacy and once you enter the gates, peace and tranquility is all around...
Where to stay Palm Cove Hotel Sea Temple, Palm Cove Review	- Moved along the beach to the Sea Temple. Separated from the beach by small stream and mangroves and the resort is lushly landscaped. The Sea Temple is relatively new and has a very cool, calm and minimal decor and feel to it...
What to do Tropical North Beach Fantasea Whitehaven Beach Review	- Took the Fantasea half day cruise to Whitehaven Beach from Hamilton. The lunch and cruise transfer good for price, but Whitehaven beach is the star of the show. This is just a great beach, pure and simple...
What to do Tropical North Attraction Kuranda Rainforest, Cairns Review	- Took the scenic railway to Kuranda which was really pleasant. Had a wander round the arts and crafts shops and market then headed to the Skyrail and took the gondola back down, this was just spectacular for me...
Where to stay Cairns Hotel - 5star Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns Listing	Great views and high standards. This distinguished hotel boasts its own well-appointed places to eat and drink as well as access to all that Cairns has to offer. Overlooking landmarks Marlin Marina, Trinity Bay and surrounding mountain ranges...
Where to stay Cairns Hotel - 4star Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort Listing	Lagoon style pool with a sandy beach. Set within tropical gardens, the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort features fresh and contemporary architecture and furnishings, and its central location makes it a great base...
Where to stay Cairns Hotel - 3star+ Pacific International Cairns Listing	Fab location. The Pacific International Cairns is a waterfront hotel with one of the best locations and prides itself on having friendly staff and being committed to service, to give your visit that special personalised touch...
Where to stay Cairns Hotel - 3star+ Cairns Colonial Club Resort Listing	Great value for money. A friendly and informal resort set in lush tropical gardens; the resort offers hospitable staff and facilities to cater for all...
Where to stay Cairns Hotel - 3star+ Bay Village Tropical Retreat Listing	Great value in central Cairns. An informal atmosphere provides a comfortable setting for relaxing holidays at this family-owned boutique hotel, where the essence of Bali has inspired an exotic style...
Where to stay Palm Cove Hotel - 4star+ Sebel Reef House & Spa Listing	What a spa! Nestled amongst tropical gardens, just across the road from the beach, this boutique hotel has the relaxed and elegant feel of a small hotel, yet offers the service and luxury of an international resort...
Where to stay Palm Cove Hotel - 4star+ Peppers Beach Club Listing	Idyllic setting. This sophisticated resort offers timeless elegance with a contemporary twist and is ideally located overlooking the sandy, palm fringed beach and the waters of Palm Cove...
Where to stay Palm Cove Hotel - 4star Paradise On The Beach Listing	Modern style. This sophisticated resort offers timeless elegance with a contemporary twist and is ideally located overlooking the sandy, palm fringed beach and the waters of Palm Cove...
Where to stay Trinity Beach Hotel - 4star+ Blue Lagoon Resort Listing	Lagoon-side luxury. High-quality apartments in the tropical paradise of the Reef and Rainforest Coast complete the Blue Lagoon Resort...
Where to stay Trinity Beach Hotel - 4star Amaroo At Trinity Resort Listing	Beautiful views. Amaroo at Trinity enjoys a peaceful elevated beachfront position with stunning views over the Pacific Ocean...
Where to stay Daintree Hotel - 4star+ Silky Oaks Lodge Listing	Beautiful treehouse accommodation. Set on the edge of the Daintree Rainforest, Silky Oaks features unique timber treehouse chalets together with an elegant and relaxed atmosphere...
Where to stay Daintree Hotel - 4star Cape Tribulation Resort Listing	Stunning Surroundings and Spa. Nestled between the Great Barrier Reef and the lush Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation Resort & Spa is within easy access of the white sands of Coconut Beach...
Where to stay Port Douglas Hotel - 5star Sea Temple Listing	Upmarket romance. Situated on the stunning white-sand beach, the lavish Sea Temple Resort & Spa looks out onto an oasis of clear blue seas...
Where to stay Port Douglas Hotel - 4star Bay Villas Resort Listing	Central Location Experience the many wonders the Reef and Rainforest Coast holds from your own apartment in Bay Villas Resort...
Where to stay Barrier Reef Hotel - 4star Dunk Island Listing	Relaxation and rainforest beauty. Dunk Island is Australia’s most beautiful tropical rainforest island. Named ‘Coonanglebah’ by its original inhabitants, ‘the isle of peace and plenty’ boasts golden sands, lush rainforest, palm-lined beaches and tempting waters, making Dunk Island a perfect place to stay...
Where to stay Barrier Reef Hotel - 4star Voyages Heron Island Listing	A tropical hideaway. Heron Island offers the perfect hideaway for those longing to explore the natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef...
Where to stay Barrier Reef Hotel - 5star Lizard Island Listing	Relaxated luxury. Relax and enjoy the tranquillity, views and landscape of this beautiful island retreat – a national park which boasts 24 beaches and offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life...
Where to stay Barrier Reef Hotel - 5star Bedarra Island Listing	Relaxated luxury. Relax and enjoy the tranquillity, views and landscape of this beautiful island retreat – a national park which boasts 24 beaches and offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life...
Where to stay Whitsundays - 5star Beach Club Hamilton Island Listing	Adult sophistication. Perfect for intimate, grown-up holidays, this exclusive boutique hotel offers beachfront rooms with personalised host service and has its own private pool...
Where to stay Whitsundays - 4star Reef View Hotel Listing	The views. Lovely views and spacious rooms make this well-appointed property very attractive. Balconies overlook the gardens or the Coral Sea, and suites enjoy ocean views...
Where to stay Whitsundays - 3star Hamilton Palm Bungalows Listing	Affordable relaxation. Enjoying a romantic, relaxing location scattered through tropical gardens, the freestanding bungalows of this popular property offer extra privacy and an affordable option...