Top 10 Things to do in North Queensland Australia!
Wondering where to go and eat as you travel the great outback? Here’s our “Top Ten” for North Queensland (arriving in Cairns and heading north to Cape Tribulation). Located in the Northeast of Australia, Queensland is where the rainforest meets the reef.
1. Aerial Flight to Green Island
Starting our top 10 thing to do in North Queensland Australia is an aerial flight from Cairns, then over the Great Barrier Reef and afternoon (or longer if your itinerary allows) – contact them here! for a flight.
2. Drive from Cairns to Port Douglas
This beautiful drive from Cairns to Port Douglas along the Coral Sea shoreline and if you have an extra day, stay in the tiny town of Palm Cove on the way to Port Douglas.
3. Stay at Mantra on the Inlet
Wondering where the best place to stay is in North Queensland? Mantra on the Inlet is located on Macrossan & Wharf Streets, the main streets in the hub of Port Douglas close to the Marina and Four Mile Beach. It’s the perfect base to explore North Queensland – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, and feels like you’re staying in a home “away from home”. Premium accomodations! email for reservations: ontheinlet.res@mantra.com.au or for more information about this resort  here.
4. Dive the Great Barrier Reef with Blue Dive!
This is a “must” just something we had to include on our Top 10 things to do in North Queensland Australia! You just can’t go to Australia without doing this! The GBR is recognized as one of the world’s natural wonders and is the most extensive reef system and largest structure made by living organizsms on earth. Dive, snorkel or sail on it!
email:Â info@bluedive.com.au or check out their site for more details.
5. Dine at one of these Port Douglas restaurants
These are the top restaurants from our list of things to do in North Queensland Austrailia! We would happily eat at all of these again… or everyday!
- Salsa Bar & Grill,
- On the Inlet,
- Bistro 3,
- Bucci,
6. The Port Douglas Sunday Market
This is the best market to pick up an original Australian souvenir from your visit to North Queensland. Go to Anzac Park where you will find original arts and crafts, jewellery, pottery, tropical clothing, fruit and vegetables, glassware, books, homemade foods, unique Australian goods, souvenirs and more. The markets are also a chance to meet the locals, including the artists, street theater performers and buskers.
7. Port Douglas 4-Mile Beach:
Walk or run along the Palm lined 4-Mile Beach just off Macrossan Street but watch out for saltwater crocodiles which are known to bask in the sun near the Queensland waterways. Take notice of any crocodile warning signs and do not swim, wade, etc. Also, suit up or swim in the roped off areas during the box jellyfish marine stingers season – their sting is extremely painful/lethal according to those who have been stung! If you are unsure, seek advice.
8. A Day Trip to the Daintree Rainforest: Â
As apart of your stay as you hit up the top 10 things to do in North Queensland Australia make sure you plan to have the total rainforest experience for a day.Â
According to our naturalist guide from Billy Tea Safaris, the Daintree Rainforest is considered to be the most ancient and primitive rainforests in the world dating back to 135 millioin years. In 1988, World Heritage added the Daintree Rainforest to its list for its biological history and biodiversity including some of the most significant ecosystems on the planet.
Visit www.billytea.com.au to book your reservation – a Tour operator based in Cairns specialising in 1 to 14 day 4WD eco-tours around Northern Queensland. Bill Tea Safari took us on the Daintree River 
where we sighted estuarine crocodiles
, mangrove forests and endemic wildlife, and also ascended into the Alexandra Range and went deep into the wet tropics where we learned about the variety of rainforest flora including killer mushrooms and vines, and ancient palms, and exotic fauna – colorful birds whistling their melodies.
Billy Tea also makes lunch and an ice cream stops – be sure to enjoy the ice creams and taste the unique flavors at the Daintree Ice Cream Company – we had the mango, mamey sapote, coconut plam and macadamia nut flavors…..just a few of the bountiful tropical Queensland fruits!
9. Cape Tribulation:Â
Drive up the Captain Cook Highway to Cape Tribulation and learn about the history of the area and admire the spectacular views of the coast line and the Coral Sea.
10. Aboriginal Experiences:
Last on our list of Top 10 things to do in North Queensland Australia–If you can’t make it to Darwin or Alice Springs, learn more about the aboriginal tribes in North Queensland where you can hear about the highly-respected ancient ways of the Aborigines in the rainforest walks of the Kuku Yalanji to the award winning performances in the Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park Theatres.
