Tropical North Queensland
Cairns is the gateway but Port Douglas is where you want to stay. The Daintree is genuinely like nowhere else on Earth. Rusty's Markets on a Saturday morning is pure tropical magic.
Current conditions
Weather
Humid & Warm
Temperature
31°C
Humidity
78%
Best time to visit
March-November
Our picks in Tropical North Queensland
Every spot personally vetted. No pay-for-play, no sponsored listings.
Rusty's Markets
Cairns' iconic tropical produce market. Exotic fruit, local produce, and multicultural food stalls.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday. The tropical fruit here is unreal — try the black sapote (chocolate pudding fruit). Get there early.
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
Free public swimming lagoon on the Cairns waterfront. Saltwater pool with ocean views and playgrounds.
Free saltwater pool right on the waterfront. The best free attraction in Cairns. Pack a picnic.
Ochre Restaurant
Pioneer of native Australian cuisine. Bush tucker ingredients in sophisticated modern dishes for over 25 years.
Modern Australian using native ingredients. Crocodile, kangaroo, wattleseed — done properly. Not gimmicky.
Daintree Ice Cream Company
Family-run ice cream shop growing their own tropical fruit. Unique flavours you won't find anywhere else.
They grow the fruit on site. The black sapote and wattleseed flavours are incredible. Mandatory Daintree stop.
Port Douglas Sunday Markets
Weekly market under the mango trees. Local art, tropical produce, handmade goods, and live music.
Every Sunday under the trees. Great local art, tropical fruit, and baked goods. Relaxed Port Douglas vibes.
Green Island
Coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef, 45 minutes from Cairns. Walk-in snorkelling and rainforest walks.
45 min ferry from Cairns. Snorkelling right off the beach — no boat needed. Go morning for clearest water.
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Heritage railway through World Heritage rainforest from Cairns to Kuranda. Spectacular views.
One of Australia's great train rides. Through rainforest and past waterfalls. Take train up, Skyrail back.
Flames of the Forest
Unique dining experience in the Daintree with Indigenous cultural performances and fire-cooked food.
Outdoor dining literally in the rainforest. Aboriginal cultural experience included. Book weeks ahead — worth every dollar.
Prawn Star
Converted fishing trawler at Cairns Marina serving fresh prawns and seafood. BYO, no bookings.
A prawn trawler converted into a restaurant. Sit on the boat, eat prawns straight off the catch. BYO. Classic Cairns.
Crystal Cascades
Freshwater swimming holes and waterfalls surrounded by rainforest, 20 minutes from Cairns.
A series of swimming holes 20 min from Cairns CBD. Locals' secret — barely any tourists. Best on a weekday morning.
Upcoming events
What’s happening in Tropical North Queensland right now and in the weeks ahead.
Rusty's Markets
3 Jan 2025
Rusty's Markets
Cairns' iconic tropical produce market. Exotic fruit, local produce, and multicultural food stalls.
Cairns Night Markets
1 Jan 2025
Cairns Night Markets
Nightly markets in the heart of Cairns with food, souvenirs, and massage.
Curated itineraries
Tried-and-tested trip plans from people who actually live here.
Cairns to Cape Tribulation
Three days from Cairns to the Daintree — reef, rainforest, and the best of Tropical North Queensland.
Perfect for: families
Ask about Tropical North Queensland
“Where should we eat near the beach?” “What’s on this weekend?” Ask us anything — our AI concierge has local knowledge baked in.
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