 In parts of the far north, the rainforest touches the reef, reaching right down to sandy beaches from which you can go snorkelling. The cosmopolitan city of Cairns and the laid-back Port Douglas are the gateway to these natural attractions.
If it's beautiful beaches you're after for the perfect family holiday, head north of Cairns and you'll find 26 kilometres of golden beaches sheltered by the Great Barrier Reef. Visit Yorkeys Knob, Machans, Trinity, Holloways and Ellis beaches, or pristine Palm Cove, which is absolutely charming with its panoramic beachfront, flanked by chic boutiques, colourful galleries and classy coffee shops. Further north, an hour's drive from Cairns, Port Douglas is a great base for exploring the wonders of this region, with Kuranda, Daintree Village and Cape Tribulation all within reach. This tiny fishing village is a jewel on the east coast - attractive, modern and classy with ritzy shops and top-quality restaurants offering world-class dining.
How do I get there?
Flights are available direct to Cairns from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. From other cities you may have to fly via Brisbane or Sydney. By car, Cairns is a 24 hour drive from Brisbane. Add another hour for Port Douglas, 2 and a half hours to Cape Tribulation and 5 hours to Cooktown.
| From |
Hours |
| Sydney |
3 |
| Melbourne |
3.25 |
| Brisbane |
2.25 |
When to go, Weather
There are generally only two seasons in tropical north Queensland - the wet and the dry season. The wet season begins around November with frequent monsoonal rains, and ends around May. During this period, 75% to 90% of the annual rainfall is recorded.
Average green season temperatures range from 24 - 33°C and in the dry from 14 - 26°C. Highest temperatures usually occur in January and the lowest in June, July and August. The upland areas are cooler, with average dry season temperatures of 9 - 22°C.
| Average Temperature |
|
| Wet Season (November to May) |
24 – 33°C |
| Dry Season (June to October) |
14 - 26°C |
 Where to stay
Tropical North Queensland has an interesting variety of accommodation options. You’ll find boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, luxury resorts and budget accommodation. There are superb remote lodges nestled in the rainforest, lakeside cabins and beachside bures. Another exciting option for families is the farm stay. Visitors can choose from outback cattle stations, cool rainforest properties, green pasturelands, tropical fruit farms, bushland settings and coastal acreage. Family fun is definitely on the menu in this region.
Click here for family friendly accommodation.
Food and Drink
The northern tropics are blessed with an abundance of local delicacies; fresh seafood from the oceans and rivers, tempting exotic tropical fruits and the piquant flavours of native Australian cuisine. The world-class restaurants of the city and surrounding regions highlight the cosmopolitan nature of residents and visitors, with most making a special point of presenting their own variation of Tropical North Queensland specialities.
Shopping
Over the years, Cairns has built up an impressive shopping district, boasting international boutiques, national department stores, arcades, galleries and plazas. Cairns has a number of large air-conditioned shopping centres including Westcourt Plaza, Stockland Earlville and Cairns Central – which has over 180 speciality stores and national Australian brand stores.
There’s also the Pier Marketplace, a leisure retail centre that features Undersea World (a reef aquarium) and the Marlin Marina, which is the departure point for reef cruises and fishing tours. Be sure to check out the Cairns Night markets which run every night on the Esplanade. Smaller towns offer their own unique shopping gems. You’ll discover charming roadside gift shops, country markets and bazaars selling local produce, handicrafts, aboriginal art and other beautiful gifts and souvenirs.
 Airport
The main gateway for visitors to Tropical North Queensland is Cairns Airport.
Transfers from Airport
Privately-run airport connection services operate to and from Cairns Airport, offering meet-and-greet transfer services to the major centres of North Queensland including Cairns, Cairns Beach and Port Douglas. There are also daily scheduled coach transfers to Cape Tribulation, Mission Beach and Dunk Island. If you have the extra money, consider taking a helicopter flight from the airport to Port Douglas to enjoy a spectacular birds-eye-view of the North Queensland coast. Car hire is also available from Cairns Airport.
Approximate distances from Airport
| Cairns City |
10 minutes / 6km |
| Hollaways Beach |
15 minutes / 10 km |
| Yorkys Knob |
18 minutes / 12km |
| Trinity Beach |
22 minutes / 15km |
| Palm Cove |
30 minutes / 22km |
| Port Douglas |
60 minutes/ 70km |
| Mossman |
60 mins / 70km |
| Daintree |
100 minutes / 110 km |
| Mission Beach |
120 minutes / 140km |
| Cape Tribulation |
150 minutes / 142km |
| Townsville |
240 minutes / 348 km |
 Getting around for families
Cruising and rail are great ways to experience this region. Your holiday would not be complete without visiting The Great Barrier Reef or the Daintree Rainforest.
What to wear
Pack loose, comfortable clothing, walking shoes, swimwear and sunglasses. A wide-brimmed hat and 30+ sunscreen are essential.
HWK Travel Tips
Taking your own snorkelling gear is a good idea. Masks that don’t fit well can be uncomfortable and are prone to leaking. For those not familiar with snorkelling, take a class from a resort or dive shop and get comfortable in a swimming pool before venturing into open water.
During October to June marine stingers and box jellyfish are to be found at beaches. Some beaches have stinger-resistant enclosures.
Stinger nets are located at sections of the following beaches
Port Douglas: Four Mile Beach
Cairns Beaches: Yorkeys Knob, Trinity Beach, Ellis Beach, Palm Cove
Mission Beach: North Mission Beach and South Mission Beach
Townsville: Rowes Bay, The Strand
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