Far North Queensland is famous for tropical rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef. But this idyllic destination has its share of hidden gems to make your North Queensland holiday extra special.
If you’re planning to venture north of the border, consider adding these lesser-known attractions to your itinerary.
Wildlife Habitat – Port Douglas
If animals are your thing, the Wildlife Habitat at Port Douglas is bound to be one of your favourite things to do around Cairns. Here you can get up close and personal with the furry, feathered, and scaled kind. Become mates with a roo or two, enjoy a meal surrounded by colourful native birds, and get a happy snap with a smiling croc. There are endless encounters to experience.
Just over an hour’s drive north from Cairns, the Wildlife Habitat is a great option for all ages. Combining woodlands, wetlands, rainforest, and savannah habitats, it’s more than your typical zoo.
Kuranda Scenic Railway – Kuranda
Get a whole new perspective on Far North Queensland’s World Heritage-listed rainforest on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. It winds its way from Cairns to Kuranda, reaching 328m above ground to offer stunning sights of the lush green rainforest and the Barron Gorge.
Be sure to check out the quant rainforest village of Kuranda (just over half an hour from Cairns) while you’re there. You’ll have plenty of cafés and boutiques to choose from.
Barron Falls – Kuranda
Adventure awaits you at Barron Gorge National Park. This natural wonderland is home to panoramic lookouts and walking tracks that put you in prime position to marvel at Barron Falls.
It’s best to visit during the wet season to get the full effect of the falls rushing into the deep Barron Gorge. Don’t forget your camera!
Fitzroy Island
Cairns holidays are all about surf, sand, and tropical rainforest. So if you’re up that way, Fitzroy Island is your go-to for all of these things combined. This tropical island getaway has plenty to offer all ages, including beautiful beaches, scenic walking tracks, water activities, and guided tours.
Wildlife lovers should visit the island’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre to make friends with – and possibly help feed – some local sea turtles.
You can get to the island via a fun 45-minute ride on a Fast Cat ferry from Cairns.
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary – Kuranda
Not to oversell it, but this is the biggest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit in the Southern Hemisphere and you simply must visit. The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is another Kuranda standout, hosting over 2,000 butterflies.
Take a wander through the main aviary and watch for electric blue Ulysses, green and yellow Cairns Birdwing, and the Monarch butterfly in the rainforest setting.
Mount Hypipamee Crater – Atherton Tablelands
Known to locals as ‘The Crater’, Mount Hypipamee Crater can be found in the Mount Hypipamee National Park. At 61m in diameter and 85m deep, this volcanic pipe is a pretty unique sight to see if you’re in the area.
Surrounded by tropical rainforest and a variety of wildlife, the Mount Hypipamee Crater makes for some great photos.
If you’re headed to North Queensland for your next holiday, you just might find the Cairns Coconut holiday park your perfect fit for exploring the surroundings. Base yourself in the heart of the action and check out all the exciting things to do around Cairns.
If this is part of a larger itinerary down the coast, be sure to check out our other caravan parks from the Great Ocean Road to the Great Barrier Reef.
Explore our parks
