Far North Queensland Travel

Far North Queensland, or FNQ, is the northernmost part of the Australian state of Queensland. The region, which contains a large section of the Tropical North Queensland area, stretches from the city of Cairns north to the Torres Strait.

The main population and administrative centre of the region is located in Cairns. Other key population centres include Cooktown, the Atherton Tableland, Weipa and the Torres Strait Islands. The region also consists of many Aboriginal and farming communities.

Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland Australia.

Cairns is a small city with a population of approx. 130,000 that is very focused on the tourist industry, but is also surrounded by agricultural activities including sugar cane, banana tropical fruits, and now boasts the word's first tropical fruit wine region. Cairns is popular with international tourists, particularly the Japanese and there there is a lot of budget accommodation with plenty of drinking establishments and cheap restaurants for backpackers.

Port Douglas is arguably the best place from which to take off for your trip to the Great Barrier Reef. The quality of the marine life and also the clarity of the water is superior here as the human population dwindles the further north you go.

Port Douglas is also ideal for a day trip to the Daintree Rainforest, with Cape Tribulation a 90 minute drive on well maintained sealed roads.

Port Douglas maintains a village feel, as it is a town where the Palm Trees are taller than the buildings and you can meander through the town to do some shopping, or enjoy a wide variety of cafes, pubs, restaurants & bars, ranging from those offering excellent value to world class cuisine.

Cities and Major Towns of Far North Queensland

• Cairns - tourist city and backpacker mecca to the north of Townsville
• Cooktown - the oldest place settled by Europeans in Australia, though not continuously
• Kuranda - famed for its market
• Port Douglas  - a resort town one hour from Cairns
• Daintree Village - Small village which is the gateway to the Daintree National Park - Worlds Oldest living rainforest

Things to See at Far North Queensland

• Daintree National Park

• Cairns is a good jumping off point to the Great Barrier Reef.
• The market town of Kuranda makes a great day trip. You can drive, catch the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns or Freshwater stations, or take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
• Mareeba, the edge of the outback, where the sun shines 300 days a year, and they produce 80% of Australia's coffee crop. With a tour to the area you don't need a car.
• Mossman Gorge 70 minutes north of Cairns is a good place to cool off. Avoid the tour coaches, and take great care swimming as the currents can be very strong.
• The Daintree rain forest, north of town.
• Green Island and Fitzroy Island, both resort islands that welcome day trips, are withing 45 minutes of Cairns by ferry.
• The Savannahlander is a four day train journey that departs from Cairns to the outback town of Forsayth. It's a great way to see the Chillagoe caves and Undara lava tubes.