Things to do in Tropical North Queensland

Activities, attractions and tours

Magnetic Island featuring general coastal views, a beach and jet skiing
Magnetic Island featuring general coastal views, a beach and jet skiing
Palm Cove Beach which includes a sunset, a sandy beach and general coastal views
Maritime Museum of Townsville featuring a lighthouse
Cairns which includes coral, landscape views and tropical scenes
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Top places to visit

1. Cairns Esplanade

The Cairns Esplanade is the tree-lined boardwalk along the foreshore in the city of Cairns. It overlooks the Trinity Inlet and the Coral Sea on one side, and is lined with restaurants and gardens on the other. It has bike paths and walking trails, playgrounds, barbecues, exercise areas and a salt-water lagoon.
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Cairns Esplanade which includes a pool, swimming and a luxury hotel or resort

2. Palm Cove Beach

Experience the stunning beaches, resorts and scenery where the rainforest hugs the shores of the Great Barrier Reef at Palm Cove Beach. Swim or sunbathe beneath the warm Tropical North Queensland sun. Explore the waters on a kayak or sailboat and take in the views of forested hills rising up behind the beach’s string of swaying palm trees.
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Palm Cove Beach featuring a beach, tropical scenes and general coastal views

3. Four Mile Beach

Four Mile Beach is the main beach in Port Douglas and, as its name suggests, the sandy stretch runs for about four miles (6.5 kilometers). At the southern end of this pristine beach is a mangrove forest and the northern end features a hill with a lookout point, a great place to see the sunrise over the Coral Sea.
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Four Mile Beach which includes tropical scenes, landscape views and general coastal views

4. Cairns Marlin Marina

The Cairns Marlin Marina is where all your Great Barrier Reef adventures start, with tour boats coming and going throughout the day. Enjoy shopping, entertainment and dining along the waterfront promenade.
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Cairns Marlin Marina showing a sunset and a bay or harbor

5. Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal

The Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal is the main entry and exit point for Magnetic Island, Townsville’s enchanting outpost in the Coral Sea. Regular ferries connect the island to the mainland, just 5 miles (8 kilometers) away.
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Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal showing a bay or harbour, general coastal views and cruising

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What to do in Tropical North Queensland

Popular places to visit

Cairns Esplanade which includes a pool, swimming and a luxury hotel or resort

Cairns Esplanade

4.5/5(57 reviews)

Stroll along the boardwalk surrounded by palms tree and landscaped gardens and watch the sun set over the Coral Sea.

Cairns Esplanade
Palm Cove Beach featuring a beach, tropical scenes and general coastal views

Palm Cove Beach

4.5/5(39 reviews)

Located in between the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, this palm tree-lined beach is an idyllic spot to take it easy or begin an adventure.

Palm Cove Beach
One of best things to do in Cairns is ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway. It's a 90 minute journey that takes you down the mountain to Cairns passing waterfalls, scenic lookouts and over old bridges. Catch the Skyrail up the mountain from Cairns and then catch the train back down. Or, vice versa.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre

4/5(37 reviews)

During your visit to Tropical North Waterfront, you can do some window-shopping at Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre
Take a wide angle lens if you're heading out to the Barrier Reef- the skies are amazing!

Macrossan Street

4.5/5(33 reviews)

During your visit to Port Douglas, you can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Macrossan Street. Amble around the area's waterfront or seek out the local tours.

Macrossan Street
Four Mile Beach showing general coastal views and a beach

Four Mile Beach

4.5/5(39 reviews)

One of the most-photographed stretches of beach in Australia has pristine white sands, waving palm trees, clear blue water and spectacular views across the ocean.

Four Mile Beach
Cairns Marlin Marina which includes sailing, mountains and a marina

Cairns Marlin Marina

4.5/5(25 reviews)

Enjoy views of the harbour and and unwind with al-fresco dining, entertainment and shopping beside the bay.

Cairns Marlin Marina
Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal showing a ferry as well as a small group of people

Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal

4/5(1 review)

This easy-to-navigate and very scenic transport hub is the gateway to the beaches, bush walks and wildlife of one of Queensland’s most idyllic islands.

Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal
Esplanade Lagoon showing a coastal town and a hotel

Esplanade Lagoon

4.5/5(30 reviews)

Relax after a day of sightseeing or cool down from the summer heat in this fresh-water lagoon, one of Cairns’ best city attractions.

Esplanade Lagoon
Cairns Convention Centre, Queensland: Aerial Photo of Iconic Architecture, Urban Landscape, Waterfront, and City Infrastructure in Tropical North Queensland, Australia

Cairns Convention Centre

3/5(1 review)

Learn about the events happening in Cairns Convention Centre during your trip to Tropical North Waterfront. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Convention Centre

Areas of Tropical North Queensland

Palm Cove showing a beach, a garden and tropical scenes

Palm Cove

Relax on sandy beaches and swim in turquoise waters at a resort town between the Great Barrier Reef and the rain forests of tropical Far North Queensland.

Palm Cove
Cairns which includes a city

Cairns Central Business District

4.5/5(69 area reviews)

Cairns Central Business District is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Esplanade Lagoon and Cairns Marlin Marina.

Cairns Central Business District
Trinity Beach which includes a sandy beach, landscape views and surfing

Trinity Beach

Unwind on this tranquil stretch of golden beach, relax under the shade of swaying palm trees and explore Tropical North Queensland at your leisure.

Trinity Beach
Yorkeys Knob showing tranquil scenes and mountains

Yorkeys Knob

Yorkeys Knob is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Yorkeys Knob Beach and Half Moon Bay Golf Course.

Yorkeys Knob
Queens Gardens which includes forest scenes and a park

North Ward

North Ward is known for its beaches, and you can plan a trip to Strand Waterpark and The Strand Beach while you're in town.

North Ward
The Cairns Lagoon at sunrise in Tropical North Queensland

Cairns North

Pristine beaches and ample dining options are well-reviewed features of Cairns North. Make a stop by top sights like Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland while you're exploring the area.

Cairns North

 

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