5 Things to Do in Tropical North Queensland (Besides Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef)

We’re going to start by putting a spotlight on Tropical North Queensland’s other major natural wonder. The Great Barrier Reef tends to get all the glory, but the Daintree Rainforest is just as impressive — perhaps even more so when you consider its age. Dating back approximately 180 million years, the Daintree is the oldest rainforest on Earth. (The Amazon is a spry 55 million years old, for anyone wondering.)

Part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics of Queensland system, there’s more than 1,200km² of lowland tropical rainforest to explore here. Not to mention, it boasts around 3,000 plant species and nearly a third of Australia’s frog, reptile and marsupial species.

• Go crocodile spotting on a Daintree River cruise: The Daintree River is home to around 70 adult saltwater crocodiles, and a guided cruise is the best way to spot them safely. You’ll likely encounter birds, turtles and snakes, too!
• See where the rainforest meets the reef: Cape Tribulation is one of the few places in the world where you can view two UNESCO World Heritage sites at the same time. Reef and rainforest collide on this stretch of beach, and it’s just as beautiful as you imagine.
• Walk the (board)walk: From the Mossman Gorge boardwalk to the Marrdja and Dubuji boardwalks, the Daintree Rainforest is filled with easy, accessible walking paths that get you close to fan palms, massive strangler figs and vibrant tropical birds.
• Visit the Daintree Discovery Centre: With an aerial walkway and canopy tower, the Daintree Discovery Centre offers a perspective that the boardwalks simply can’t — you’ll look down through the layers of foliage rather than up at them.

Forget what TLC said. This part of Australia is home to some spectacular waterfalls and freshwater swimming holes, and you absolutely should go chasing them — especially if you’re visiting Cairns and Tropical North Queensland between October and May, when the falls are flowing at their fullest and marine stinger season calls for extra care when ocean swimming.

Cold, crystal-clear water rushing through ancient rainforest gorges? We’re feeling refreshed just thinking about it. 

• The Waterfall Circuit: This 20km circuit in the Atherton Tablelands connects three iconic cascades: Millaa Millaa Falls (one of the most photographed waterfalls in all of Australia), Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls.
• Josephine Falls: Located about an hour south of Cairns in Wooroonooran National Park, Josephine Falls has a natural granite rock slide. Don’t just take in this natural attraction from the viewing platform — go for a ride!   
• Babinda Boulders: Tucked away under the shadow of Mount Bartle Frere, Queensland’s tallest mountain peak, the Babinda Boulders are a truly magnificent collection of granite rocks that have been smoothed and rounded over time by the crashing water of the Babinda Creek.
• Wallaman Falls: At 268m, this is the highest single-drop waterfall in the country. The lookout is free and the view is genuinely jaw-dropping, especially in Australia’s summer season when the volume of water is at its peak. 

No Tropical North Queensland itinerary would be complete without a trip to Kuranda Village. This picturesque mountain retreat has something for everyone, including the Original Rainforest Markets where you can shop for locally made crafts and sample from an eclectic mix of food stalls. And for wildlife encounters, there’s the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Kuranda.

All that said, getting to Kuranda Village is more than half the fun! While it is possible to drive, travelling via the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is the more exciting choice.

• Kuranda Scenic Railway: Built between 1886 and 1891, the Kuranda Scenic Railway is a feat of 19th-century engineering that would be implausible today. The train climbs 327m over 34km, passing through 15 hand-carved tunnels, crossing 55 bridges and rounding 98 curves. 
• Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: The Skyrail is a 7.5km gondola running from Smithfield (15 minutes north of Cairns) to Kuranda Terminal. The journey takes you over and through the rainforest canopy and includes two amazing stops: Red Peak and Barron Falls. 

The overwhelming consensus among experienced visitors? Take the train up and Skyrail down — or vice versa — on the same day.

Here’s a fun fact about Australia that you might not know: it’s home to some of the world’s oldest-living cultures. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived in this part of the world for more than 65,000 years. 

For travellers who want to truly understand the destination they’re visiting — not just see it — Tropical North Queensland’s cultural tours and activities are among the most profound you’ll find anywhere in the country. 

• Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks: Led by Eastern Kuku Yalanji people, this 1.5-hour experience includes a cleansing “smoking” ceremony, a rainforest walk and a traditional bush tea with damper.
• Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tour: As you navigate through beach and mangrove ecosystems, you’ll learn spear-throwing techniques and get a lesson on how to identify bush food and medicinal plants — and hear traditional stories from your Kubirri Warra guides.
• Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel: The only Great Barrier Reef cruise that combines snorkelling and diving with Indigenous cultural storytelling. Guides from four TNQ Traditional Owner groups will share Dreamtime stories connected to the sea, perform dances and play didgeridoo on the way to the outer reef.
• Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience: The Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience at Rainforestation Nature Park combines traditional dance performances (in a Rainforest Amphitheatre), a Dreamtime Walk along the Rainbow Serpent walkway, boomerang throwing and spear demonstrations.

Despite what the rest of this article may have you believing (sorry not sorry!), there are things to do in Tropical North Queensland that don’t involve spiking your adrenaline or wandering deep into the Daintree Rainforest. Both Palm Cove and Port Douglas — located along the Captain Cook Highway ~25km and ~67km from Cairns, respectively — have beautiful beaches and slower-paced lifestyles that are ideal for a longer stay.

• Palm Cove: With a calm beach, a melaleuca tree-lined esplanade, luxury resorts, day spas, boutique restaurants and no nightclubs, Palm Cove is ideal for couples and anyone who wants to decompress without being far from the action — day trips to the Daintree Rainforest, Kuranda Village and the Great Barrier Reef are all easy from here.
• Port Douglas: Four Mile Beach is the showstopper attraction here, but it’s certainly not the only draw. The Sunday markets on the waterfront are the best in the region, and Macrossan Street (the main strip) has excellent food and wine options at every price point. Port Douglas is also conveniently located between Cairns and the Daintree.

Ready to explore Tropical North Queensland beyond the Great Barrier Reef? Check out our latest deals or chat with a Flight Centre Travel Expert today. From flights and accommodation to sightseeing activities, we can help get every piece of your Tropical North Queensland itinerary sorted.

This sponsored story was written by Flight Centre Canada on behalf of Tourism and Events Queensland.