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Welcome to a place where the views are magnificent no matter which way you turn.
If you’re looking for an escape that’ll make you disconnect and leave you recharged, there’s no better spot than Tropical North Queensland.
Whether it’s flying above a 100 million year old rainforest, hiking or cooling off in a secret swimming hole, there’s plenty to do here – but heaps to find.
SLEEP IN A TREE HOUSE
Connect with nature without leaving luxury at Daintree Ecolodge; a boutique lodging of 15 secluded bayans surrounded by the oldest living tropical rainforest on earth.
Rise to the sound of the birds in the rainforest above, breathe in the fresh tropical air and discover the lodge’s private onsite waterfall. Do as little as you want – or sign up for a cooking class, practice yoga and rejuvenate at the day spa.
Just a 90 minute drive from Cairns, with access to the Great Barrier Reef too, you’ll feel world’s away in this untouched sanctuary nestled in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest.
GET TO THE CHOPPER
Take a scenic flight over the Daintree with Nautilus Aviation to see this World Heritage Listed wonder from above. Taking off from Cairns, you’ll fly over the area’s most spectacular spots, leaving you with a taste of the rainforest AND the reef.
Once you’ve had a bird’s eye view, you’ll want to delve a little deeper.
Keen to increase your heart rate a little more? Try these adventure-packed activities near Cairns that’ll have you white water rafting through Tully River and sailing through the rainforest on a zip line, Tarzan style.
HELLO GORGE-OUS
Mossman Gorge is a jewel of the Daintree National Park – where crystal-clear water cascades over large granite boulders in the Mossman River.
This little pocket of paradise is not just a great place to dive in and cool off (and a little more scenic than your average swimming pool) but it’s also rich with history and Indigenous heritage.
Start at the Mossman Gorge Centre and catch a bus up to the gorge ($9.50 adults, $4.70 children). From there you can opt to explore the ancient rainforest on your own, or take a guided tour with a local Aboriginal elder and learn about the history of this magical place.
Here’s a few more show-stopping swimming holes nearby.
PICNIC IN PARADISE
Reality > Instagram here. If cascading falls, cool flowing creeks and a lush rainforest spells bliss for you, head deep in the Atherton Tablelands and you’ll find Millaa Millaa Falls. This popular beauty makes for a perfect day trip (and one serious nature fix), with plenty of beautiful places to kick back for a picnic on the lawns that fringe the falls.
Millaa Millaa Falls is located along the Waterfall Circuit (you can drive right up to them), and if you’re looking to stretch your legs, take a walk aound the whole circuit to meet five more of Queensland’s best waterfalls.
TAKE YOUR CURTAIN CALL
Hike the short boardwalk to Curtain Tree Fig – one of Atherton Tablelands best-known attractions. This enormous 500 year old strangler fig tree is like something from a storybook, with 15m long curtain of aerial roots hanging from its branches.
You’ll find it in the aptly named Curtain Fig National Park.
FEEL THE SPRAY
We’ve saved you a spot under this epic waterfall.
All you have to do is hike the 2.5km rainforest trail to reach Nandroya Falls, where you’ll be greeted with towering moss-covered rockfaces, and water crashing 50 metres below into a large pool, that just happens to be perfect for swimming.
This is one destination worth the adventure.
How to find it: located along the Palmerston Highway, keep an eye out for the ‘Henrietta Creek’ sign. This is the car park you need to access the start of the walking track to Nandroya Falls.
Here are a few other waterfalls worth finding in the Atherton Tablelands.
FEED YOUR APPETITE
Hungry for more? Pack your taste buds for a tropical ice creamery in the heart of the Daintree.
From humble beginnings to Queensland icon, Daintree Ice Cream Co uses organically grown fruit from their very own orchard to make their scoops. Served in their signature ‘4-scoop’ cup (now we’re talking) – you’ll get to try rare, exotic flavours that change daily depending on what’s in season.
Source: blog.queensland.com