National GeographicSep 1
From Reef to Rainforest—the Ultimate Guide to Queensland’s Tropical North
With the turquoise waters of the Coral Sea and 1,000-year-old kauri trees as its backdrop, Australia’s north has plenty of natural wonders to explore.
Part of Wet Tropics Rainforest, standing for over 180 million years.
22 things in this story
- The Great Barrier ReefSightWorld's largest coral reef system, spanning 1,430 miles.
- Daintree RainforestTrailPart of Wet Tropics Rainforest, standing for over 180 million years.
- Wet Tropics of Queensland Heritage SiteSightHarbours 18% of Australia's birdlife and 30% of reptile/frog species.
- Atherton TablelandsNeighborhoodHome to nearly 2,000 farms growing seasonal produce.
- Rusty’s MarketsMarketStalls selling everything from just-ripe mangoes to spicy samosas.
- Passions of ParadisePlaceOffers 'Be a Marine Biologist for a Day' package.
- Reef MagicPlacePontoon tours offer Reef Restoration Days.
- Cairns Marlin MarinaSight
- Elsewhere
- Yungaburra MarketsMarketAtherton Tablelands, AustraliaTry fresh fruits, locally grown coffee, tea and more.
- Nu Nu RestaurantRestaurantPalm Cove, AustraliaEnjoy absolute beachfront dining at Nu Nu Restaurant Palm Cove.
- Epicurean Port DouglasRestaurantPort Douglas, AustraliaExperience the finest French Provincial food and wine at Epicurean in Port Douglas.
- Mossman RiverSightMossman Gorge, AustraliaDrift along on an inflatable raft tour.
- Back Country BlissPlaceMossman Gorge, AustraliaOffers inflatable raft tours on the Mossman River.
- Walkabout Cultural AdventuresPlacePort Douglas, AustraliaTeaches about bush medicines and seasonal bush tucker.
- Laura BasinNeighborhoodLaura, AustraliaHikes to caves with secret rock art galleries.
- Jarramali Rock Art ToursPlaceLaura, AustraliaHikes to caves with 2,000-year-old paintings.
- Torres StraitNeighborhoodThursday Island, AustraliaCollection of 274 islands between Australia and Papua New Guinea.
- Island StarsPlaceThursday Island, AustraliaOffers dance and storytelling performances.
- Torres Strait ToursPlaceHorn Island, AustraliaLead guided walks in the footsteps of the Indigenous Battalion.
- Badu Art CentreSightBadu Island, AustraliaEngage with local artists.
- BoiguNeighborhoodBoigu Island, AustraliaAustralia's northernmost inhabited island.
- Strait ExperiencePlaceThursday Island, AustraliaExplore Torres Strait alongside Indigenous guides.