Itineraries Home » Queensland Itineraries » Far North Queensland Itineraries » 5 memorable days in Far North Queensland
The northernmost part of Queensland, known as the Far North Queensland or Tropical North Queensland, is a tropical region stretching from Cairns to the Torres Strait. Enveloped by the World Heritage listed tropical rainforests and bordered by the red dirt of the outback and the Great Barrier Reef, there are not many locations in the world that can boast such unique natural attractions. We visited Far North Queensland during the Easter holidays and this post explains everything you will need to know what this part of Queensland has to offer to its visitors.
Day 0 - Sydney to Cairns
We departed Sydney on a late evening Jetstar flight to Cairns; the flight took 3 hours from Sydney to Cairns. We took a cab from the airport and checked into Hides Hotel for the night.
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Day 1 - A trip to the Tip (Cape York)
Pajinka or Cape York, also known as the Tip is the northernmost point of the Australian continent and is slightly over 1000 kilometres from Cairns. The nearest airport to the Tip is Bamaga (Northern Peninsula Airport) and it takes 2 hours to fly there from Cairns. We caught the 7AM Rex flight from Cairns to Bamaga and reached Bamaga at 9AM. From the Bamaga airport, we headed straight to the Tip on a 4WD vehicla as a 2WD is not suitable for this road condition. Much of the road from the airport to the Tip is unpaved so be ready for quite an adventurous ride.
On our way to the Tip, we drove through Lockerbie Scrub, which is the northernmost rainforest in mainland Australia. It is a beautiful lush rainforest with closed canopy so at times it looked as if we were driving through a tunnel.
It took slightly less than an hour to reach the car park at the Tip. The Tip is accessible via a short 15-min walk from this car park and involves walking uphill and then downhill on a rough terrain.
From the Tip, we then visited the Croc Tent, which is the northernmost souvenir shop on the mainland Australia. Their souvenirs are unique, specifically made for them and are found nowhere else. We then visited each of the five indigenous communities that make up the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), viz. Injinoo, Umagico, New Mapoon, Seisia, and Bamaga.
Lastly, we visited the DC-3 WWII plane wreck site that commemorates those who were killed in the crash of VH-CXD on 5 May 1945 on approach to Higgins Field, an air base established for the War. The crash killed all six personnel on board!
It was then time for us to catch the return Rex flight back to Cairns so we headed to the Northern Peninsula Airport. The flight departed on time at 4:30PM and landed in Cairns at 6:30PM. We reached Hides Hotel by cab, had dinner, and went to bed a little early towards prepping for another adventurous day!
Note: A detailed itinerary for visiting the Tip can be found in the post An Unforgettable Trip to the Tip (Cape York).
Note: A detailed itinerary for visiting the Tip can be found in the post An Unforgettable Trip to the Tip (Cape York).
Day 2 - Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation
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The Daintree Rainforest is over 135 million years old, making it the oldest rainforest in the world and also the largest rainforest in Australia. The Daintree Rainforest is over 1,200 square kilometres and is home to unique flora and fauna not found anywhere else in the world.
We started at 7AM the next morning to visit the Daintree rainforest and the Cape Tribulation beach. Our first stop was Trinity Bay lookout in Port Douglas. This lookout overlooks the gorgeous Four Mile Beach and we had great views of the beach from here.
The Daintree Rainforest is over 135 million years old, making it the oldest rainforest in the world and also the largest rainforest in Australia. The Daintree Rainforest is over 1,200 square kilometres and is home to unique flora and fauna not found anywhere else in the world.
We started at 7AM the next morning to visit the Daintree rainforest and the Cape Tribulation beach. Our first stop was Trinity Bay lookout in Port Douglas. This lookout overlooks the gorgeous Four Mile Beach and we had great views of the beach from here.
Our next stop was the Mossman Gorge. We visited Mossman River Lookout, Rex Creek Suspension Bridge, and Manjal Dimbi (Mount Demi) Lookout. We also walked the River Circuit Track on the way back to the shuttle bus stop. We then took the shuttle bus back to the Cultural Centre.
After lunch, we headed to the Crocodile Express Daintree River Cruises. We toured the croc-infested Daintree River for an hour in an attempt to spot crocodiles however we could only spot a couple of them that day as it had just rained and the creatures went for a swim. After the river cruise, we boarded the Daintree Ferry with our car, which is a cable ferry, to cross the Daintree River. This ferry provides access to the northern Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation connecting them with the rest of Far North Queensland.
On getting down from the Daintree River Cable Ferry, we drove to Cape Tribulation Beach. It’s a gorgeous beach however do not attempt to swim or go near the water as it’s heavily infested by crocodiles and jellyfish. Kulki boardwalk and the lookout are a must to do when you’re here. We then headed to Dubuji Boardwalk near Myall Beach. This is a rainforest boardwalk where you will discover lush lowland rainforests and fascinating mangrove swamps. Peppermint Stick Insects, Pandans and Cassowary Plums were highlights of this boardwalk!
On our way back, we stopped by the Daintree Ice Cream Company to try their exotic fruit ice cream flavours made on-site using local ingredients. We then boarded the Daintree River cable ferry again to go to the other side of the Daintree river and headed to our hotel for a good night’s sleep.
Note: A detailed itinerary for visiting the Daintree and Cape Tribulation can be found in the post A Day In Daintree & Cape Tribulation.
Note: A detailed itinerary for visiting the Daintree and Cape Tribulation can be found in the post A Day In Daintree & Cape Tribulation.
Day 3 - Great Barrier Reef
It’s time to visit the much-awaited Great Barrier Reef! The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc. It is larger than the Great Wall of China and the only living thing on earth visible from space.
We thought it was not fair to just do a day trip to this beautiful place so we booked a night’s stay in the liveaboard with Reef Encounter. We checked out of our hotel around 7AM and headed straight to Cairns Marlin Marina to board the transfer vessel Reef Experience. Reef Experience departs from Cairns Marlin Marina at 7:30AM daily to transfer you to Reef Encounter. It’s a 90 minute ride on Reef Experience and breakfast was served onboard around 8:30AM. We arrived onboard Reef Encounter around 9:30AM and after a short briefing, we checked into our rooms at 10AM.
You will have many opportunities for snorkelling, scuba diving and glass bottom boat tours, while on board the Reef Encounter. Snorkelling equipment and stinger suit were included in the booking at no extra cost and we hired an underwater camera on board for an additional cost but it was worth it! You can also hire wetsuits on board for an extra cost if you want one. The food served on board was super delicious as well.
After a few snorkelling sessions and an introductory scuba diving session, we went to bed after thoroughly enjoying the desserts served on board.
Note: A detailed itinerary for visiting the Great Barrier Reef can be found in the post 2 Days in the Mesmerising Great Barrier Reef.
Note: A detailed itinerary for visiting the Great Barrier Reef can be found in the post 2 Days in the Mesmerising Great Barrier Reef.
Day 4 - Great Barrier Reef
We woke up to a new Reef site in the morning and understood that the Reef Encounter moved to a new site overnight; we moved to a new Reef site after breakfast as well. We had several water sessions until 2:30PM with breakfast and lunch breaks in between.
After thoroughly enjoying all the water sessions, we boarded the Reef Experience around 3:00PM to head back to Cairns and on the way back, we were served complimentary wine, cheese, and biscuits. We arrived at Cairns Marlin Marina after around 90 minutes, got our baggage, and came out. We hired a car from Hertz in Cairns Airport and headed to Kuranda Rainforest Accommodation Park for the night stay.
Note: A detailed itinerary for visiting the Great Barrier Reef can be found in the post 2 Days in the Mesmerising Great Barrier Reef.
Note: A detailed itinerary for visiting the Great Barrier Reef can be found in the post 2 Days in the Mesmerising Great Barrier Reef.
Day 5 - Kuranda Village
The picturesque mountain village of Kuranda is just under 30km northwest of Cairns. The village is surrounded by the world’s oldest living tropical rainforest and is often referred to as the Village in the Rainforest.
After breakfast, we headed to the Henry Ross Lookout. The lookout allows panoramic views of Cairns, with Trinity Bay and the Coral Sea in the background.
The picturesque mountain village of Kuranda is just under 30km northwest of Cairns. The village is surrounded by the world’s oldest living tropical rainforest and is often referred to as the Village in the Rainforest.
After breakfast, we headed to the Henry Ross Lookout. The lookout allows panoramic views of Cairns, with Trinity Bay and the Coral Sea in the background.
We then headed to the Smithfield Skyrail Terminal. We booked our tickets online and chose to take the Skyrail from the Smithfield Terminal at 9AM to reach Kuranda around 10:30AM and then take the Kuranda Scenic Railway at 2PM to reach back Smithfield around 4PM. The Scenic Railway arrives at the Freshwater station around 3:30PM from where you need to transfer to Smithfield Terminal to pick up your car. The online booking includes a free shuttle transfer from Freshwater to Smithfield Terminal. Our idea was to explore Kuranda Village between 10:30AM and 2PM and that’s ample time, honestly! You will have some spectacular views of the Kuranda region from the Skyrail.
The Skyrail has 2 stops, viz. Red Peak and Barron Falls, before reaching its destination that is Kuranda. Spend time in both the stops to thoroughly enjoy these attractions.
Upon disembarking from the Skyrail in Kuranda, we headed to visit the birds at Birdworld Kuranda, which is located inside the Kuranda Heritage Markets. Birdworld Kuranda replicates the natural rainforest habitat with almost 60 native and exotic species and there are hand-feeding and photo opportunities so make sure to bring your camera with you. The birds fly around you and even land on you so it’s much fun for not only kids but also adults!
Our next stop was the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, which was just the next building. This is the largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit in the Southern Hemisphere and is home to over 1500 butterflies from a variety of species. We walked around and experienced butterflies landing on us several times, which was so much fun!
It was time to catch the 2PM Kuranda Scenic Railway so we headed to the Kuranda Train Station. Rising from sea level to 327 metres, Kuranda Scenic Railway is an unforgettable must-do journey through a tropical paradise. The train departed on time and stopped at Barron Falls, which is the only stop before reaching its destination, the Freshwater station. After providing time for some good photo opportunities at the Barron Falls station, the train left for its destination stop, the Freshwater station, and on the way, we enjoyed some spectacular views.
Upon disembarking from the Skyrail in Kuranda, we headed to visit the birds at Birdworld Kuranda, which is located inside the Kuranda Heritage Markets. Birdworld Kuranda replicates the natural rainforest habitat with almost 60 native and exotic species and there are hand-feeding and photo opportunities so make sure to bring your camera with you. The birds fly around you and even land on you so it’s much fun for not only kids but also adults!
Our next stop was the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, which was just the next building. This is the largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit in the Southern Hemisphere and is home to over 1500 butterflies from a variety of species. We walked around and experienced butterflies landing on us several times, which was so much fun!
It was time to catch the 2PM Kuranda Scenic Railway so we headed to the Kuranda Train Station. Rising from sea level to 327 metres, Kuranda Scenic Railway is an unforgettable must-do journey through a tropical paradise. The train departed on time and stopped at Barron Falls, which is the only stop before reaching its destination, the Freshwater station. After providing time for some good photo opportunities at the Barron Falls station, the train left for its destination stop, the Freshwater station, and on the way, we enjoyed some spectacular views.
Upon reaching the Freshwater station, we took the shuttle bus from the station to Smithfield Terminal where we parked our car and from there, we reached Cairns Airport to catch our Qantas flight back to Sydney.
Note: A detailed itinerary for visiting the village of Kuranda can be found in the post A Day In Kuranda - the Village in the Rainforest.
Overall, those were 5 memorable days in Far North Queensland and it’s worth saying that we thoroughly enjoyed every second of it!
Note: A detailed itinerary for visiting the village of Kuranda can be found in the post A Day In Kuranda - the Village in the Rainforest.
Overall, those were 5 memorable days in Far North Queensland and it’s worth saying that we thoroughly enjoyed every second of it!
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