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With some of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes, World Heritage-listed rainforests, white sandy beaches, and gorgeous coral reefs- Far North Queensland should be top of your list for home-grown Aussie experiences. With an abundance of natural wonders, as well as award-winning dining, lifestyle retreats, shopping, and activities for the adrenaline seekers, this piece of paradise has so much to discover and explore for couples, families, and solo travellers alike.
We’ve unpacked the best of this region, whether you want to explore the natural environment, get your heart racing, or simply enjoy the days unfold poolside, there is something for everyone in Far North Queensland.
From eco-lodge stays set against the backdrop of lush rainforests, 5-star hotels with all the luxuries, and family-friendly resorts to keep both kids and parents entertained, Far North Queensland doesn’t disappoint when it comes to accommodation options. Whether you want a base to explore the region, or simply relax and enjoy some downtime, we’ve got you covered for the best stays in FNQ.
20 minutes north of Cairns Airport, a gateway to Far North Queensland’s top tourist sites, including the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, lies Palm Cove – a tropical oasis with a seaside location, and the perfect base to access all that FNQ has to offer.
Hotel Grand Chancellor Palm Cove is set across 3-hectares - an incredible tropical landscape that eases you straight into holiday mode. With 2 swimming pools, a restaurant and bar, a lifestyle and wellness centre, and plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained too, this hotel caters to couples and families and is within easy walking distance of the white sandy beaches and everything that the village of Palm Cove has to offer.
The resort is set against a lush backdrop, with rooms and suites that offer balconies and terraces with views across the swimming pools and gardens. From King Rooms to 2-bedroom apartments fit for families and groups, Hotel Grand Chancellor has a range of options to suit all travellers.
Located on a private headland between the bustling locales of Cairns and Port Douglas, family-owned Thala Beach Nature Reserve offers deluxe Eco-friendly accommodation, set against an incredible rainforest backdrop. The property sits on 145 acres, with sustainable and environmental experiences highlighted including nature and wildlife walks, star gazing nights, and specialist guides (Thala has achieved the highest accreditation of eco-certification through their sustainable practices and environmental sensitivity).
The drive into the reserve is dotted with palm trees and is a tourist magnet to get that Instagram-worthy holiday shot, while the boutique timber bungalows are built high on stilts you feel you’re staying in your very own treehouse, with a canopy of greenery providing privacy and a peaceful, nature-filled experience.
The property is adjacent to the secluded Oaks Beach, sitting atop a peninsula with breathtaking views of the coastline- Thala Beach Nature Reserve is the only beachfront nature reserve in the region, and provides the perfect location to explore the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.
Cairns Colonial Club is a family-friendly resort set on 11 acres of tropical rainforest, with gardens, lagoon pools, and a man-made beach. An ideal access point for all the major attractions and experiences that Far North Queensland has to offer, this resort is within easy reach of the reef and the rainforest, as well as offering activities for couples and children alike, a poolside bar, and a contemporary restaurant.
With 345 rooms and self-contained studio apartments, Cairns Colonial Club has a range of accommodation to suit couples and families.
With so much to see and do, Far North Queensland doesn’t disappoint even the savviest of holidaymakers. Whether you want to get up close and personal with the natural habitat, relax the days away with a cocktail in hand under the shade of a palm tree, or get your adrenaline pumping from new heights, there’s something for all travellers to tick off their Bucket List.
Far North Queensland offers some of the most incredible swimmable water holes and waterfalls to ‘wet’ your appetite. With freshwater lagoons set against the backdrop of World Heritage-listed rainforests, this is a nature-filled experience that will take your breath away.
Located in the Girringun National Park, experience Australia’s longest single-drop waterfall, Wallaman Falls, at 268 metres long, the pool at the bottom runs 20-metres deep and draws an estimated 100,000 visitors each year.
Josephine Falls, which is located 75kms south of Cairns, is a scenic waterfall fed by rains falling on Bartle Frere, Queensland’s highest peak. The Noongyanbudda Ngadjon Aboriginal people maintain a close spiritual connection with the Bartle Frere area and falls. This is also a popular picnic area, so make a day of it.
Catering to all levels of adventure-seeking, Skypark will have your adrenaline pumping. Their ultimate thrill experience, the Bungy Jump, is a 50-metre drop, above a natural lagoon and offers 16 jump styles that are unique to Skypark, so whether you’re a seasoned thrill-seeker, or a first-timer, there is an experience for you.
However, if jumping off a 50-metre-high platform isn’t your thing, Skypark also offers activities for those looking for something a little lower on the adrenaline scale. From the Giant Swing attraction, which reaches speeds up to 120km/h, to the new Walk the Plank experience, where you can live life on the edge at 140 metres above sea level. Skypark is a family fun day out to get your heart racing while being amongst some of the lushest rainforests in the region.
The world’s largest coral reef system of over 2900 individual reefs that can be seen from outer space, the Great Barrier Reef is on the Bucket List of travellers the world over, and for good reason. The world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms, it is placed on the list of the Australian World Heritage and is labelled one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
A true spectacle of Far North Queensland, there are Great Barrier Reef tours, excursions, cruises, and snorkelling and diving experience aplenty from Cairns, Port Douglas, and the islands that dot the region.
Travelling to the Far North Queensland region deserves a stop at Mossman Gorge Centre. The gateway to the world’s oldest rainforest, the Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge is also a unique experience of the cultures and stories of Australia’s Indigenous people and the connection they have with this beautiful land.
Mossman Gorge Centre offers guided tours, Dreamtime walks with an Indigenous guide, or you can explore the area on your own. Discover the incredible history of the region, the spiritual connection told through storytelling, and Indigenous art that must be seen up close and through the lens of the locals.
With local produce having a starring role on the plate, FNQ dining highlights the freshest ingredients, packed with punches of flavour to tantalise the tastebuds of even the fussiest of foodies among us.
Located right on the waterfront on the Cairns Esplanade, Iyara by Sakare offers a unique dining experience with Thai flavours and influence. Their dishes are an artform, innovative with a fusion of flavours and highlighting local seafood and produce.
Popular among locals and tourists alike, the dining experience at Iyara must be had sitting waterfront on the balcony during sunset, people watching over the foreshore, with fairy lights and candles to create an ambient backdrop for the delectable menu.
Recognised by Gourmet Traveller as Regional Restaurant of the Year, Nu Nu Restaurant is an exceptional dining experience serving modern Australian fare from morning to night. Located at the picturesque village of Palm Cove, Nu Nu offers spectacular beachfront views across the Coral Sea, and dotted with palm trees, it is the signature spot to enjoy a cocktail at sunset.
For those who like to dip their toe in exciting new experiences, Oaks Kitchen and Garden not only offers diners a unique dining experience with their signature Chef’s Table degustation menu, but visitors can also dive into their very own Thai Cooking Experience.
The Southeast Asian fare served against a backdrop of the lush natural surrounds of Oak Beach highlights the freshest organic seasonal produce grown on-site. Not only can you dine in this exquisite space, and taste the most delightful of flavours, but you can walk away with the knowledge of seasonal ingredients and feel the fulfilling nature of cooking with such amazing locally grown produce. This is a great way to develop your cooking skills and be inspired to explore new and diverse flavours and cuisines.
16/11/2021
Written by Rebecca Dickson