Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef - Area at a Glance

Cairns

A sophisticated city, Cairns is your gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. You'll find the warm climate reflected in a friendly welcome. Be lured by a stunning array of dining choices, choose from more than 650 tours and see for yourself why Cairns has been voted Australia's most liveable regional city. Use Cairns as your base to explore lush tropical rainforest, cozy villages and to access tropical islands and the Great Barrier Reef. This thriving city's airport, train, cruise and highway linkages bring all within easy reach.

Great Barrier Reef

Don't miss the opportunity to see why the complex, intricate and extraordinary Great Barrier Reef is lauded as one of the world's most magnificent diving locations. View delicate soft corals or iridescent fish through a wide array of learn-to-dive courses or extended trips for experienced divers. Snorkelling offers a wonderful way to see this amazing biosphere and most reef tours include transfers and lunch. You don't even have to get your feet wet when you view the reef by semi-submersible craft, from an underwater observatory or from the air with a helicopter scenic flight. Cairns and Port Douglas are cruising bases, so you can choose a cruise to fit your requirements. Whether you spend a day or a week on the reef, dive to your heart's content and explore this unique natural wonder.

Islands

You'll know you're in paradise when you see the range of idyllic islands scattered off the coast of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. Each island has its own personality. Emerald rainforest jewels, large natural islands made for exploration, sophisticated romantic retreats and secluded coral atolls. Lizard Island has drawn international attention and garnered major awards for its stylish resort. Find total privacy at Bedarra Island, its first-class facilities have hosted royalty. Close to Cairns, Green Island is a picturesque tropical coral cay harboring reef gardens while Fitzroy Island's fringing reefs are popular with snorkellers. Try to glimpse the turquoise Ulyssess butterfly on Dunk Island, an idyllic rainforest isle. Other islands include Hinchinbrook, the world's largest island national park and home to the famous Thorsborne walking trail; and Orpheus, the region's most southern island. For something different, try camping on a deserted national park island such as the Frankland Group. For more information on Queensland Islands — click here

Port Douglas

Nestled beside the sparkling waters of Dickson Inlet and the rolling waves of the Coral Sea, Port Douglas has developed into one of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef's most sophisticated, stylish seaside villages while still retaining a relaxed ambience. Once a quiet fishing village, it is now a base for reef trips and rainforest tours. Shop until you drop, stroll amongst art galleries, play golf or explore the many dining options.

Daintree & Cape Tribulation

Australia's most important lowland rainforest, The Daintree harbors lush tropical vegetation. Head north to Cape Tribulation, named when Captain James Cook's ship ran aground on a reef. You won't find it any hardship to explore this superb region of national parks and wilderness. Mossman Gorge is a good point to access the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park. A huge range of operators offer tours to this region. There are river cruises, guided nocturnal walks and adventurous 4WD safaris which make this once-remote area highly accessible.

Kuranda and the Tropical Tableland

"The Tableland" encompasses cool tropical highlands, mountain retreats, lakes, waterfalls and villages. Be refreshed in this region which is set on rolling plateau around 700m above sea level. Kuranda's shady trees, walking trails and art galleries are a draw card for visitors each to enjoy country-style markets. Choose from three scenic journeys - by train, road or scenic cableway above the trees. Yungaburra is the central location to cool crater lakes ideal for swimming, canoeing and bushwalking. From Atherton, head to Lake Tinaroo with more than 200km of shoreline or visit Mareeba and Ravenshoe.