Far north Queensland is one of Australia's premier tourist destinations and is home to some of the worlds most famous tourist attractions. The city of Cairns lies at its center and the Great Barrier Reef lies just offshore. To the north is the fabulous Daintree Rainforest, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation, Cooktown, Lizard Island and Cape York Peninsular. To the south the beauty of Mission Beach, Hinchinbrook Island, Dunk Island, Bedarra Island and Orpheus Island. To the west is the Atherton tableland with its lakes and rainforest and to the east is the reef itself and Green Island. No Australian holiday is complete without an extended visit into this superb region.

The Great Barrier Reef is an international drawcard. Divers from around the world flock here to join both day and extended cruises to visit and dive among its fabulous coral reefs. There are hundreds of charter boats in the region ranging from small motorcraft to luxury yachts and whiteboats as well as specialist tourist craft and live aboard charterboats just waiting to take you on a the trip of a lifetime. Many specialist dive companies operate from Cairns, Port Douglas and Townsville to take their customers to such places as the Yongalla shipwreck, the Ribbon Reefs, the Cod Hole (where giant and friendly potato cod swim with the divers) and the outer reefs of the Coral Sea.

Port Douglas is now one of Australia's exclusive resort towns. It is situated about 60 kilometers to the north of Cairns along a spectacular road that follows the shoreline. Rainforest covers the hillsides on one side of the road and the sparkling Coral Sea on the other. Port Douglas is famous for its quality resorts and an ambience of quiet affluence with its superb shopping and wonderful restaurants and cafes. Some resorts feature great golf courses while others boast some of the best swimming pools you can imagine. The Daintree Rainforest is just to the north and excellent day tours are available to show you its majesty. The Daintree River is an excellent spot to take a day tour and spot one of the many saltwater crocodiles that infest this region. Four wheel drive tours are available to take you through the Bloomfield Track past Cape Tribulation and on to Cooktown.

The Island resorts of far north Queensland are nothing short of spectacular. You will think you have died and gone to heaven if you decide to stay at any of these fabulous resorts. Lizard Island in the far North is famous as a fishing resort however it is much more than that. Superb accommodation and food compliments its remote and beautiful location. Bedarra and Orpheus Islands cater for the rich and famous, looking for a holiday destination away from the prying eyes of the rest of society, and providing total luxury in their surroundings. Dunk Island is the ideal family destination with great accommodation, golf, water sports and bushwalking.

Mission Beach and the Atherton Tableland both provide the opportunity to relax amid spectacular tropical surroundings with beautiful rainforests, fast flowing rivers, waterfalls and great beaches. There are lots of quality resorts throughout both regions that will provide a relaxing home away from home for your holiday. Far north Queensland has it all so this could well be the ideal spot for your next holiday.

North Qld