WINTER?

With clear sunny days, temperatures in the mid-twenties and good vibes aplenty, winter is a glorious time to visit Tropical North Queensland.

“Winter is the best time of year,” says acclaimed artist and Port Douglas-born creative Jai Vasicek. “So many people come from Sydney and Melbourne to escape winter and it’s like they shed off their old skin and embrace the slower, relaxed lifestyle.

“The temperature is incredible, there’s no rain, there are no stingers in the ocean – and it's the best time to visit the reef because the visibility is at its clearest. Everyone is happy and so alive.”

So, shed the winter woollies and get out and explore this tropical playground of national parks, marine parks and Word Heritage wonders.

Explore the Reef

For starters, it's not a visit to Tropical North Queensland without ticking a visit to the Great Barrier Reef off your bucket list.

The good news is that the winter and spring months are the perfect time to experience this natural wonder, described by Sir David Attenborough as the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.

The clear visibility and calm, warm waters – usually sitting around 25 degrees °C – mean you’re likely to have perfect conditions to snorkel, dive, swim and explore the world’s largest reef system.

Better yet, from June to August there are no stingers in the ocean, so it is safe to swim.

The Low Isles near Port Douglas is one of the most sheltered snorkelling spots on the Reef, with several boat tours departing daily from the bustling beach town. Tour operators provide all the snorkelling and safety gear you’ll need for an epic day on the water.

For a once-in-a-lifetime day trip, take a helicopter tour from Cairns Airport to Vlasoff Cay, a stunning sandy inlet on Vlasoff Reef, north of Green Island. Dive, snorkel or explore the warm waters of the white sand cay, which is also accessible by boat for day tours, or bliss out with a picnic.

Insider Tips

Hike and chase waterfalls

The dry season falls between April and October, which means winter and spring are the best seasons for getting out and exploring this pristine region. Whether you’re a hardcore hiker or simply want to immerse yourself in the wonders of Mother Nature, this lush, tropical region has plenty of walking trails and cascading waterfalls to experience.

Explore Mossman Gorge, Jindalba Circuit Track and Emmagen Creek in the Daintree. Cool off at Stoney Creek Falls within the Barron Gorge National Park, just a 20-minute drive north of Cairns; have some fun on the natural waterslide at Josephine Falls; and admire the awe-inspiring Millaa Millaa Falls nestled in the rainforest of Atherton Tablelands.

Hikers will be in their element venturing through World Heritagelisted rainforest and creek crossings to take on Queensland’s highest peak, Bartle Frere.

Another must-do adventure for the whole family is the Behana Gorge, a 6km return hike that’s a little more under-the-radar than other walking spots but no less stunning.

Vasicek recommends checking out a locals' favourite crystal-clear swimming spot on the Mossman River, half the way up the road up to the luxurious Silky Oaks Lodge.

Food, glorious food

With fresh fruit, herbs and seafood in abundance, the tropical north tastes as good as it looks. The region is home to some seriously good restaurants and cafes serving up an authentic taste of the tropics. The winter weather is warm and balmy so it’s the perfect climate to dine alfresco among the palms under a canopy of stars or enjoy the warm sea breezes and tropical cocktails in the slew of open-air style eateries.

Live like a local and visit the waterfront Port Douglas Market on Sundays from 8am until 1.30pm for the freshest locally grown produce – think sweet pineapples and fresh coconut –and baked goodies. Dine out at foodie picks such as Palm Cove’s much-loved Nu Nu, Port Douglas’ hatted Nautilus and Cairns’ luxe Flynn’s Italian.

Vasicek’s go-to is local favourite Salsa Bar and Grill – Salsa to those in the know – for the linguini pepperoncino with tiger prawns, garlic, chilli and Parmesan.

Choose your own adventure

With the wet season behind us, the natural world is looking her finest for some winter fun.

Tropical North Queensland is a veritable playground for adventure and nature lovers, with a host of outdoor activities to choose from.

Winter weather is ideal for actionpacked outdoor experiences such as white-water rafting on the Barron or Tully rivers, mountain biking, skydiving, jet boating and eco-immersion adventures like River Drift Snorkelling – a combination of swimming, snorkelling, floating and rainforest experiences through the waters of the Daintree rainforest.

Eco-friendly fun

Tropical North Queensland has the highest concentration of eco-certified experiences in Australia. The Daintree Discovery Centre, in the heart of the Daintree, is a wonderful place for visitors to learn about the world’s oldest rainforest.

There are several viewing platforms that you can enjoy as you venture through this ancient wonder, as well as a range of educational resources to teach visitors about the rainforest’s rich biodiversity.

You can also head deep into the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in a glass-bottomed gondola on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to gain a unique perspective of this ancient landscape – and be inspired to protect it for future generations.

Great Barrier Reef Drive

With one of the seven wonders of the natural world to the right – hello, reef! – and the Wet Tropics rainforest to the left, this scenic trip north between Cairns and Cape Tribulation via Port Douglas is as good as a scenic road trip gets. Take in Palm Cove, Rex Lookout, Port Douglas and the Daintree, and be sure to stop at the slew of tiny unnamed bays and coves to soak in the staggering natural beauty of the region. Drive distance: 140km