Far North Queensland

Far North Queensland’s natural beauty is on permanent display, from the world’s largest coral reef system that is the Great Barrier Reef to the magnificent Daintree Rainforest.

In and around Cairns, you will find plenty of cafes, museums, markets and playgrounds.  Cairns Esplanade is a popular destination for both locals and visitors who are keen to walk or run along the esplanade while taking in the mountain and ocean views.

Along the esplanade beneath the stainless steel woven fish sculptures, is a huge salt water Lagoon that provides a protected swimming environment and is open all year round.

The lagoon is easily accessible, entry is free and lifeguards are on duty during opening hours.  At certain times of the year and weather permitting, Cairns Regional Council offer free fitness classes at Cairns Esplanade as some other parks and beaches.  You can join a free aqua aerobics class, aqua zumba or a beach volleyball class while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

The well-recognised and much photographed Woven Fish sculptures created by Brian Robinson stand proudly in the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon.  These sculptures are part of a number of public artworks that you will pass by along the esplanade and within Cairns.

If the kids are looking to test their skills out, you will find Muddy’s Playground approximately 750m from Cairns Esplanade Lagoon.  This bright, colourful playground and splash park has something for kids of all ages whether they want to climb, slide, spin, roll or swing.

Alternatively, if they just want to splash around, they can enjoy the mini splash park with numerous jets and water sprays.  There are plenty of shaded areas around Muddy’s Playground, including a barbeque and picnic area so you can byo food for breakfast or lunch.  The playground opens from 9am and closes at 7pm.

Heading out of Cairns approximately 40 minutes drive along the Captain Cook Highway, you will find postcard perfect Palm Cove.  As the name suggests, this area is filled with Palm trees lining the footpath along the beachfront.  There are a number of resorts, cafes and restaurants along Williams Esplanade and quite a few cater for kids with different meal options.  At certain times of the year on the first Sunday of the month, a market stall is held along the esplanade with many stallholders offering local handmade goods.

Driving out of Palm Cove towards Port Douglas continuing along Captain Cook Highway, you will soon come across the Rex Lookout.  It’s a great spot to take a break from the drive and take in the views overlooking Wangetti Beach towards Palm Cove and Cairns.  You may also see some hang gliders or paragliders launching their aircraft from Rex Lookout, using the wind to their advantage to fly out to the beach below.  Parking is limited at Rex Lookout and it is on a main road so it may be worthwhile arriving earlier or later in the day to avoid peak times especially during holidays or weekends.

Just under one and a half hours drive from Cairns, you will arrive at the beautiful Port Douglas.  Port Douglas is a great location to base yourself to take trips out to the reef, visit Mossman Gorge, visit the Wildlife Habitat, go on a river cruise on the Daintree River or venture across to see the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest.  If you are limited with time, you could easily just spend your days seeing the sights and relaxing within Port Douglas.

If you are keen to try some tropical fruit, try a tropical drink or buy some local fresh produce and you’re in Port Douglas on a Sunday, you could take the kids for a stroll down Macrossan Street to Market Park to visit the well-known Port Douglas Sunday Market.

If you are keen to go for a swim, you can look at the Beachsafe website or the Surf Life Saving Queensland website, both of which have information about when beaches are open, the forecast, the times lifeguards are on patrol, swimming enclosures and other important information.  The Surf Life Saving Queensland website also has some other helpful information about the stinger season, marine creatures and rip currents, usually referred to as ‘rips’.  Many beaches in Far North Queensland are signposted warning about the dangers of stingers and crocodiles in the area.