Explore Australia

Australian Sugar Industry Museum This large museum was opened in 1977. Its permanent displays include a museum collection of photographs, books, documents and an incredible display of machinery that includes a steam engine, reputedly one of the largest ever built. See the audiovisual display on the history of Australia's sugar industry and tour the art gallery. Cnr Bruce Hwy and Peregrine St; (07) 4063 2656.

Paronella Park This 5 ha park was the vision of immigrant sugarcane worker José Paronella. After making his fortune, he started building a mansion on the site (1930–1946). Floods and other natural disasters have ruined the grand buildings, despite rebuilding efforts. Now the visitor can walk through the ruins, admire the spectacular rainforest and birdlife, swim near the falls and have Devonshire tea at the cafe. 17 km SW.Etty Bay: quiet tropical beach with caravan and camping facilities; 9 km E.

Russell Heads 40 km

Russell Heads is the junction and estuary system of the Russell and Mulgrave Rivers, south of Cairns. I was fishing with Kieran Livingstone who had a Cairns Custom Craft aluminium, a solid boat ideal for river and... Find out more

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Lake Tinaroo 68 km

Lake Tinaroo is built across the Barron River Gorge in the Atherton Tablelands; about two hours’ drive from Cairns via Gordonvale and Yungaburra. The lake was the first of Queensland’s impoundments stocked... Find out more

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Trinity Inlet 73 km

The Cairns region offers more than gamefishing. South of the city are rivers like the Russell and Mulgrave; to the north are the Daintree and Mowbray Rivers. Anglers heading inland will find opportunities like the famous... Find out more

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Cairns 79 km

Many international game anglers regard Cairns as the game fish capital of the world, with plenty of big black marlin – the Holy Grail of gamefishing. Granders or Julies, call them what you will, these huge female... Find out more

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Julatten 133 km

Fishing is where you find it, and sometimes you find it in unlikely places. Between Mount Molloy and Mossman in the Rex Ranges at a place called Julatten, I came across a couple of people fishing in a pond. I pulled over... Find out more

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Cheese-tasting - Millaa Millaa 46 km

In the lush highlands of Millaa Millaa, overlooking Mount Bartle Frere, the certified biodynamic Mungalli Creek Dairy has a superb range of organic cheeses and yoghurts for sale and tastings. You can watch the delectable... Find out more

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Bushwalking around Townsville and Cairns 76 km

This entire region offers great delights to bushwalkers, although you are likely to get damp, either from the humidity or from a tropical shower (it is not called ‘rainforest’ for nothing). The Rainforest and... Find out more

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Savannahlander 78 km

This small two- or three-carriage train heads out across the savannah country from Cairns to Forsayth on a four-day round trip, allowing you to get off at towns and see key places, such as Undara, along the way. You can... Find out more

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Hiking the Thorsborne Trail 89 km

The 32-kilometre Thorsborne Trail is a classic tropical bushwalk that weaves along the east coast of the 393-square-kilometre Hinchinbrook Island National Park. There is a maximum of 40 people allowed on the track at a... Find out more

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Wildlife experience - Cairns 95 km

Combine several of the Cairns area’s main wildlife attractions into one seamless day out: the Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail, Kuranda Koala Gardens, Birdworld and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Book through... Find out more

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Birdwatching - Townsville to Cairns 118 km

You do not need to be a bird nerd to appreciate Tyto Wetlands near Ingham. It is a beautiful, peaceful spot for a picnic, a pleasant walk or a pre-dinner drink. But if you stop at one of the benches or bird hides and... Find out more

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Reef tours 136 km

As with elsewhere on the reef, there is the luxury of choice for diving or snorkelling trips, particularly from Port Douglas. However, remember the reef is not just offshore and involves a boat trip. Among the... Find out more

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Swimming around Townsville and Cairns 157 km

Not far from Townsville there are a couple of popular swimming holes: Big Crystal Creek near Mutarnee, the icy Little Crystal Creek on the road to Paluma, and under the Rollingstone Bridge. Near Tully, you can cool off... Find out more

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Daintree Discovery Centre 162 km

This multi-award-winning ecotourism centre is a great place to learn about the legendary Daintree rainforest. There are elevated boardwalks, an aerial walkway, a canopy tower and a large interpretive display centre with... Find out more

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Bushwalking around the Daintree and Cape Tribulation 166 km

Join a guided day or night bushwalk in the privately owned Cooper Creek Wilderness, to discover the incredible natural riches of this area. Back Country Bliss Adventures also runs gentle, guided half-day bushwalks to... Find out more

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Paradise Palms Country Club 97 km

‘Paradise’ is appropriately named. Situated 25 minutes north of Cairns, and just off the Captain Cook Highway, this is a beautiful golf course. The rainforest-covered Great Dividing Range dominates the... Find out more

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Sea Temple Golf & Country Club 131 km

Technological advancements in agronomy and construction equipment have opened up new frontiers and landscapes for golf course designers during the past 40 years. One course designer who has never shirked a tough... Find out more

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Kent Island camping area 18 km

Self-sufficient camping is on the west coast of Kent Island, part of the North Barnard group. This site is ideal for anglers and wildlife watchers. There are 3 sites with a maximum of 5 people per site.... Find out more

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Stephens Island camping area 21 km

This campground for self-sufficient campers is on the western side of Stephens Island, part of the South Barnard group. There are 3 separate sites, each with a maximum of 4 people. Open fires and generators are not... Find out more

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Kurrimine Beach Caravan Park 23 km

This very basic council campground is on Robert Johnson Pde in Kurrimine Beach, about 9 km east of the Bruce Hwy, accessed from Silkwood. The closest major town is Innisfail, about 30 km north of Kurrimine. The nearby... Find out more

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Bramston Beach Campground 25 km

This campground in a small village with just a general store provides a quiet, relaxing stopover or weekend getaway. Bramston Beach is on the coast, 10 km north-east of Miriwinni on the Bruce Hwy, with excellent coastal... Find out more

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Bingil Bay Campground 29 km

This campground is about 3 km north of Mission Beach on Bingil Bay Rd. There is no power available here. Mission Beach is 2 hrs drive from Cairns or 3 hrs from Townsville, and is known for its 14 km stretch of sandy... Find out more

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Babinda Creek Rest Area 29 km

This campground beside the creek is a great spot for camping with kids. It’s east of the Bruce Hwy on Howard Kennedy Dr in Babinda, 24 km north of Innisfail. Note: there is a maximum stay of 48 hrs.... Find out more

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Mount Bartle Frere Trail Big Rock camp (walk-in camping) 29 km

The Big Rock camp clearing is a 3 km walk north-west of the Josephine Falls parking area, suitable for self-sufficient campers only. For experienced walkers, Josephine Falls is the starting point for the Mt Bartle Frere... Find out more

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Eastern Summit Camp (walk-in camping) 30 km

This campground for self-sufficient campers only has excellent views over Innisfail and the undulating Atherton Tableland. The site is 4 km north-west of Big Rock camp and 7 km from the Josephine Falls parking area.... Find out more

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Henrietta Creek camping area 30 km

Accessible with 2WD, this grassy camping area is signposted off the Palmerston Hwy, 38 km from Innisfail. There are 3 numbered and 20 unnumbered sites. In Wooroonooran, Wet Tropics’ endemics include the tiny musky... Find out more

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Bramston Beach camping area 31 km

This sandy campground with 5 separate sites is next to the beach and reached by 4WD only. To get here, turn off the Bruce Hwy at Miriwinni, 65 km south of Cairns, and follow the road for 17 km to Bramston Beach. From the... Find out more

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Flying Fish Point Tourist Park 10 km

This quality owner-operated place is across the road from the beach in this small community about 7 km from Innisfail. The park puts on cooked dinners on Saturday nights and has happy hour on Wednesday. It also offers... Find out more

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King Reef Resort 23 km

This beachside caravan park is part of a hotel complex. It has good basic facilities and is very popular during holiday periods. Meals and normal hotel services are available. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Mission Beach Hideaway Holiday Village 32 km

This is an excellent park at the heart of a very popular tourist destination and just a short walk to the beach, the shops or the local restaurants. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Beachcomber Coconut Caravan Village 40 km

Mission Beach is a dream holiday destination and this park is the perfect place to stay. It is set in a fabulous location just across the road from the beach. The shops are within walking distance. Bookings are required... Find out more

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Googarra Beach Caravan Park 47 km

The park, close to Tully Heads, has a cafe and a well-stocked shop and also sells fuel. This is a convenient overnight stop or a good base for exploring the area. Bookings are required in peak periods. Pets are not... Find out more

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BIG4 Atherton Woodlands Tourist Park 69 km

On the outskirts of Atherton, about 2 km from the town centre, this tidy park has large shady trees and makes a good base for a few days while exploring the area. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Discovery Holiday Parks – Lake Tinaroo 69 km

This park is located on Tinaroo Dam, 17 km from Atherton. It is popular with anglers who come year round to catch barramundi from the stocked reservoir. The park has good basic facilities. Bookings are required in peak... Find out more

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Cardwell Beachcomber 75 km

The park is centrally located just a short distance from the centre of town and across the road from the beach (ideal for fishing). The park has good facilities and a licensed restaurant/cafe in the attached motel.... Find out more

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Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort 75 km

Enjoy the excellent facilities of this five-star park, on the southern approach to the city 7 km from the centre of Cairns. There is a cafe, free minigolf, tennis and aqua aerobics, and the list continues. Bookings are... Find out more

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Cairnsvilla and Leisure Park 80 km

The park is 4 km from the centre of Cairns, set in a quiet area with beautiful tropical surrounds. It has very good facilities including a mini-mart and a TV room. It is an ideal park for a holiday.... Find out more

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Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat 47 km

By renting out nine elegant eco-accredited treehouses (near Malanda), the owners have funded a massive weed-clearing and revegetation program – including planting 20 000 trees – on their 92-hectare property,... Find out more

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The Canopy, near Malanda 50 km

Located at Tarzali, this place comprises six beautiful glass and timber treehouses set in 40 hectares of rainforest that has never been logged, with Lumholtz tree-kangaroos creeping around, green ringtail possums,... Find out more

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Possum Valley Rainforest Cottages 59 km

Near Millaa Millaa, the two secluded bush cabins here, on 62 hectares of bushland and rainforest, can sleep up to eight people each, and are completely powered by solar technology and a small water turbine in Possum... Find out more

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Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge and Resort 72 km

Revolutionary in terms of minimal-impact tourism when it was first established in 1974, this classy resort has no more than a toehold on the 393-square-kilometre Hinchinbrook Island, and you can hardly see the treetop... Find out more

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Kingfisher Park Birdwatcher’s Lodge 132 km

Guaranteed to get keen birdwatchers excited, this eco-accredited establishment at Julatten is renowned as one of the best birdwatching spots north of Cairns, with rare endemic species seen around the pool. For six months... Find out more

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Hidden Valley Cabins, Hidden Valley 155 km

Acclaimed as being Australia’s first completely solar-powered resort, with a restaurant, pool and room for 31 guests, this serious environmental resort is in secluded dry forest well off the Bruce Highway. It is... Find out more

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Daintree Rainforest Retreat, near Cow Bay 164 km

When the owners here decided to reduce their carbon footprint by installing 48 solar panels, the generator’s monthly diesel consumption changed from 1600 litres to 200 litres. By revegetating a rainforest on their... Find out more

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Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa 164 km

If you are in need of some pampering, this is the place to go. With strong and proud links to the Aboriginal heritage of the site – a women’s healing place – the Eco Lodge has 15 sumptuous villas set... Find out more

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Daintree Wilderness Lodge, Alexandra Bay 166 km

Set in fan-palm rainforest, the eight bungalows here, accessed by raised boardwalks to protect the forest floor, are partially solar-powered by 20 solar panels, and a biocycle system breaks down all waste on site. As... Find out more

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Bungalow Bay Koala Village 191 km

Declared Australia’s best backpacker accommodation, this low-key eco-accredited resort, with pool and family-style restaurant, has 2.8 hectares of camping area and 30 A-frame bungalows, 25 of which are... Find out more

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Fred Drew Rest Area 9 km

4 km N of Innisfail (L) or 26 km S of Babinda (R) Small area just off the road at the junction with the Palmerston Highway. Good facilities but only limited shade. GPS: S17 30.897 E145 59.624... Find out more

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Diggers Creek Rest Area 24 km

18 km N of Tully (R) or 34 km S of Innisfail (L) Very small area adjacent to the road. Good shade. GPS: S17 47.441 E146 00.363 ... Find out more

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Bramston Beach Camp Area 25 km

T/O 23 km N of Innisfail (R) or 7 km S of Babinda (L) Idyllic foreshore campground situated 17 kilometres east of the highway on the beach. Good shade and facilities. Store nearby. GPS: S17 21.076 E146 01.262... Find out more

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Bingil Bay Camp Area 28 km

T/O 3 km N of Tully (R) or 49 km S of Innisfail (L) Very small campground located 28 kilometres east of the highway among dense vegetation on the foreshore, 4 kilometres north of Mission Beach. Good shade. GPS: S17... Find out more

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Babinda Rest Area 28 km

T/O opposite the main street into Babinda Large secluded area located 500 metres south-east of the highway on the old road. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S17 20.924 E145 55 541... Find out more

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Mission Beach Camp Area 32 km

T/O 3 km N of Tully (R) or 49 km S of Innisfail (L) Small campground located 24 kilometres east of the highway on the foreshore at the north end of the village. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S17 51.871 E146... Find out more

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The Boulders Camp Area 32 km

T/O into the main street through Babinda Small campground located 6 kilometres west of the highway near a very pleasant picnic area in the rainforest. Good facilities. NOTE: Limited sites available. GPS: S17 20.394... Find out more

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Tully Gorge Camp Area 49 km

T/O into main street through Tully Pleasant campground located in Tully Gorge State Forest, surrounded by rainforest on the banks of the Tully River, 40 kilometres north-west of town. Good facilities and shade. ... Find out more

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Gordonvale Park Area 60 km

33 km N of Babinda (R) or 27 km S of Cairns (L) Large area just off the highway at Mulgrave River. GPS: S17 05.998 E145 47.246 ... Find out more

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Bilyana Rest Area 61 km

21 km N of Cardwell (L) or 22 km S of Tully (R) Small area just off the highway. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S18 07.074 E145 54.437  ... Find out more

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Murray Falls Camp Area 68 km

T/O 22 km N of Cardwell (L) or 15 km S of Tully (R) Large grassed campground located 20 kilometres west of the highway in a pleasant bush setting among numerous small trees near the falls in Murray Falls State Forest.... Find out more

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Cardwell Park Area 76 km

Middle of town Parking area on the foreshore. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S18 16.159 E146 02.051... Find out more

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Five Mile Creek Rest Area 83 km

45 km N of Ingham (L) or 8 km S of Cardwell (R) Secluded area located 700 metres west of the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S18 19.387 E146 02.439... Find out more

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Frances Creek Rest Area 130 km

100 km N of Townsville (L) or 11 km S of Ingham (R) Large area adjacent to the road. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S18 44.533 E146 08.159... Find out more

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Jourama Falls Camp Area 141 km

T/O 88 km N of Townsville (L) or 23 km S of Ingham (R) Small secluded campground situated 6 kilometres east of the highway in the forest of Paluma Range National Park. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Booking... Find out more

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