The Cairns Highlands, Atherton Tablelands
An interesting and indulgent day is to be had exploring this area. Start the morning with an unforgettable hot air balloon ride followed by a champagne breakfast at Mareeba.
Spend the rest of the morning visiting the spectacular Crater Lakes district, the beautiful Milla Milla, Ellinjaa and Zillie Waterfalls, before wandering through the art galleries at the heritage village of Yungaburra.
The Great Barrier Reef and Port Douglas
The Great Barrier Reef is the longest and most extensive complex of coral reefs and islands in the world. Its value to the planet has ensured its inclusion on the World Heritage List.
From Port Douglas, 30 mins drive from Rainforest Retreat, you can travel by one of the many boats going daily to the Outer Reefs, and snorkel or scuba dive amongst the abundant marine life, including turtles, tropical fish of all colours and size and beautiful coral formations.
The World Heritage Daintree Rainforest
This World Heritage listed area comprises the oldest continuous rainforest area in the world.
It encompasses the spectacular Mossman Gorge, an ideal picnic and swimming spot; the Daintree River, a natural habitat for estuarine crocodiles, birds and animals and the picturesque Cape Tribulation region, a unique area in the world where the rainforest comes down to the sand and meets the fringing reef.
The York Peninsula
This area offers you a fascinating day of local history, both Aboriginal and European as well as experiencing the landscape and animals of Gulf Savannah country.
Marvel at ancient Aboriginal rock-art at Laura, learn the fascinating history of the 1800’s gold rush era at Palmer River, the site of the biggest gold rush in Queensland’s history.
Birds watchers
Most of the 430 bird species here are found on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range but not all. The western side of the range has considerably less rain than the east and different species are found there.
Not all the birds here are sedentary, many are seasonal and even passage migrants and many are nomadic being influenced by Australia’s climate vagaries.
About Cairns
CAIRNS –
Is one of the major cities of North Queensland with 130,000 people and is the heart of the tropics. Cairns is a city of colour and beauty.
Cairns sits on the Trinity Inlet and the mountains to the back are covered with thick green lush tropical forests. It is a popular place with tourists due to its closeness to the Great Barrier Reef and starting point to exploring the top end of Australia.
Cairns Queensland
Cairns
Located in the far northern part of the state of Queensland Australia.
The city enjoys a tropical lifestyle and is a fantastic base for a holiday.
Within easy reach of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, Wet tropics rainforest and the outback savannah.
Boasting an enviable reputation as one of the worlds’ most “liveable places” Cairns is a warm friendly city that welcomes tourists to its slice of paradise.