The Drive To Explore

CASSOWARY COAST

THE landscape stretching south from Cairns is carpeted with banana plantations and cane fields, but there’s more than agriculture to the addresses around Innisfail.

Pause for a morning soak in Babinda Boulders’ emerald-green waters, or ride the smooth rockslide at Josephine Falls, then call at Babinda Bakery to sample the famous cream buns.

Stop in Innisfail to see the impressive Cassowary Coast Regional Council headquarters, occupying a grand art-deco hall built in the 1930s, before experiencing the gastro-pub dining at the neighbouring Queens Hotel or grabbing a true Italian coffee at Oliveri’s Continental Deli.

Venture into Etty Bay and meet – from a safe distance, of course – the clan of cassowaries that live beside the sand before continuing south to Mission Beach and onto Cardwell Spa Pool which is another insta-worthy swimming spot.

Tully shares the title of Australia’s wettest town with Babinda but the sleepy sugar settlement – you can’t miss the mill during “the crush” when creeping cane trains arrive around the clock to deliver the freshly-cut crop – has more to offer visitors than a selfie with a giant golden gumboot.

Visit on market weekend, when stalls take over the main drag, or get the adrenalin pumping during a white-water adventure on the Tully River with this rafting experience considered one of the best in Australia.

Another option is heading inland to Paronella Park to explore the bygone estate – featuring the “castle” surrounded by 5ha of cultivated gardens beside a waterfall – built by José Paronella for his wife in the 1930s.

MOUNT GARNET INNOT HOT SPRINGS

GUNNAWARRA MILLAA MILLAA

RAVENSHOE INNISFAIL

MENA CREEK

TULLY GORGE NATIONAL PARK

JAPOON NATIONAL PARK

KOOMBOOLOOMBA NATIONAL PARK TULLY

GLEN RUTH

MURRAY UPPER

CARRUCHAN KURRIMINE BEACH

MISSION BEACH

MOSSMAN

A VISIT to Tropical North Queensland isn’t complete without a wander into the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, and a visit to Mossman Gorge is the easiest way to retreat into rainforest.

Park at the Mossman Gorge visitor’s centre and ride one of the regular shuttle buses deep into the green before following the paved trails and elevated boardwalk, with these path flanking crystal-clear water as it bounces over rapids and swirls around rockpools.

Lower River Track shadows the Mossman River, with the effortless 300m walk taking around 15 minutes to complete, while the longer Rainforest Circuit is a 2.4km track twisting through the rainforest to frame views of the surrounding peaks.

Swimming isn’t recommended but it’s not unusual to see locals disappearing into the scrub on steamy days to cool down with a soak, sit on a boulder in the shade, or picnic beside a waterhole.

The region is home to the Kuku Yalanji people, with the traditional owners striving to share the land’s unique qualities, so take a guided rainforest walk with an indigenous custodian to receive insights into this relationship with the earth.

The village, which is home to 2000 people, is the heart of sugar country with the Mossman Central Mill humming through “the crush” from June to October.

The battered cane trains still rattle along Mill Street – sit in the front bar at the historic Exchange Hotel during cane season to watch the carriages clatter through town – and it’s not uncommon to see a trash fire light up the night sky after a field is harvested.

MOSSMAN

PORT DOUGLAS

PALM COVE

KURANDA

MAREEBA DOUBLE ISLAND

GREEN ISLAND

CAIRNS

FITZROY ISLAND

REASONS

TO VISIT CAIRNS 5

1GET ON THE GBR Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns sits steps from Reef Fleet Terminal making it a cinch to explore the reef. Tourist boats depart daily with some making the dash to Fitzroy and Green islands, others heading for pontoons anchored above the coral, and a few drifting towards remote stretches of blue that are home to Nemo and his mates.

2DREAMY DAINTREE DAY A trip to TNQ isn’t complete without seeing the place rainforest meets reef. It’s a 90-minute motor north from Cairns and tours collect guests in the morning before dropping them back at the hotel after a day of exploring. It’s the easiest way to experience bucket-list destinations like Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation and the Bloomfield Track.

3

WANDER TO A WATERFALL

The Far North is home to spectacular waterfalls with green-season showers bringing the wet stuff that makes these hidden gems rumble. Venture into the Atherton Tablelands – head up “The Gillies” for a spectacular journey before returning via Kuranda – with locations like Malanda Falls, Tchupala Falls and Millaa Millaa Falls perfect for a summertime soak.

4

GOING TO MARKET

Weekend markets are a way of life with communities from Palm Cove and Port Douglas to Tully and Tolga playing host. Remember to take a hat and arrive ready to eat as food is a highlight. And, if you can’t make it to the regions, Rusty’s Market and the Night Markets are within walking distance of the hotel while Kuranda is just a jaunt up the range.

5

SOUTH PACIFIC PERFECT

Keen to see the islands but already crossed Fitzroy and Green from your to-do list? Then it’s time to book a Frankland Islands tour and see one of Tropical North Queensland’s true hidden gems. The excursion includes a cruise along the South Johnstone River to the Coral Sea and time to explore the empty islands from above and below the surface.

22 IT stretches 2,300km along the Queensland coast, reaching from the Torres Strait to the unnamed passage separating Lady Elliott and Fraser islands.

It covers 344,400sq/km which is roughly the same area as Japan, Italy or Germany.

It is easiest to reach the reef from Cairns, Port Douglas, Mission Beach and Cape Tribulation.

It is made up of 3000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 133 varieties of sharks and rays, 1625 types of fish, and 600 coral species.

Around 80 per cent of all tourism activity occurs inside just 7 per cent of the reef region. GBR facts