North Coast Queensland stretches from just north of Bowen right upto Cairns.
The outback meets the tropics on Queensland's North Coast. Townsville, the state's second-largest city, is a relaxed place with a waterfront cafe scene and an affable population.
Queensland was first seen by Europeans in the 1600s. Dutch explorers Willem Jansz and Jan Carstens arrived at the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula in 1606 and 1623 respectively. Captain James Cook is acknowledged as the first European to encounter Queensland's east coast in 1770 in HMS Endeavour.
There are a number of small and pretty beaches along the coastline, as well as several ports carrying Queensland's agricultural produce.
To the south of Queensland's North Coast is Ayr which is situated along the Burdekin River, close to the Burdekin Valley farmland. There is an interesting nature exhibit at the Ayr Nature Display, which is good if you like nature. Just south of here you can visit the Ashworths Fantastic Tourist Attraction in Home Hill, with a number of souvenir goodies to tempt you.
Continuing north to the large city and port of Townsville, you can visit both the interesting Australian Institute of Science, and the beautiful Bowling Green Bay National Park on the way. The National Park offers a couple of good walks, as well as camping and fabulous tropical rainforest. From Townsville you can also head to the beautiful North Coast Hinterland.
North from Townsville are more fantastic National Parks. In between Townsville and Ingham, you will find the Paluma Range National Park which hosts some beautiful tropical rainforest and great walking trails. Ingham is a sugar town and close to Victoria Mill, which is a sugar mill. You can tour around the mill, which is actually the largest in the southern hemisphere.
You can also travel to Hinchinbrook Island from Lucinda, which is just 24km from Ingham. Another place you should visit is the Lumholtz National Park, in particular the spectacular Wallaman Falls which fall for the longest single drop in the whole of Australia.
North again along the Bruce Highway is Cardwell which is also the home to the Fruit-Fly Inspection Point, where on your journey south you may have to surrender some of your fruit and vegetables. There is a great drive around Cardwell, called the Cardwell Forest Drive.
Along the way there are a number of swimming holes, lookouts and some good walking tracks. There is also a walking track through the forested Edmund Kennedy National Park, although avoid swimming as crocodiles are common. You should also visit the pretty Murray Falls, which are about 27km north of Cardwell.
Just south of Mission Beach you will pass Tully which has an annual rainfall of about 4000mm, making it the wettest place in Australia. If you want to try your hand at white water rafting, then you should stop here as there are a number of trips along the Tully River which are great fun.
Continuing north from Mission Beach towards Innisfail, it is worth leaving the Bruce Highway and head inland slightly passing several interesting towns along the way. Silkwood and Mena Creek are both sugar cane towns, with Mena Creek hosting the wonderful Paronella Park. Paronella Park offers fantastic tropical parkland, and the ruins of a splendid Spanish castle. Just south of Innisfail is Mourilyan, where you can find out about the sugar industry at the Australian Sugar Museum.
Innisfail is another major producer of sugar, and is also home to a number of banana plantations. There is often banana picking work available, which most of the hostels can help arrange. You can find out about the history of the city as well as its own Mafia called the Black Hand, at the Historical Society Museum. Another place you can visit is the Johnstone River Crocodile Farm.
North from Innisfail are more National Parks, and some interesting things to see before you finally reach Cairns. You can either take the Bruce Highway passing the Bellenden Ker Range or along the Palmerston Highway heading to the Atherton Tableland.
Along the Bruce Highway you will pass the Wooroonooran National Park which offers a number of pretty waterfalls.
The Range is also home to Mt Bartle Frere which reaches a grand 1657 metres and marks the highest point in the whole of Queensland. If you feel upto it you can climb to the top from the beautiful Josephine Falls, although make note that it takes 2 days to complete the trek.
Another great place to stop is at the Babinda Boulders just west of Babinda. There are several walking trails here, as well as a small camping area. A 10km walk which is worth it is along the Goldfield Track, which takes you to the Goldborough Valley State Forest Park.
North is the Menmuny Museum which is the interesting Yarrabah Aboriginal Cultural Centre, as well as Cairns Crocodile Farm where you can watch the crocodiles being fed.
Featured North Coast Activities
TOUR NAME
LOCATION
RATES (AUD) from
11 Day Byron Bay To Cairns Tour(EX1110) (Touring) Explore the hot spots and hidden treasures of the Australian East Coast. With plenty of time, you will discover Fraser Island over 2 days by 4WD, sail the Whitsundays living aboard for 2 nights, exper...
Cairns to Sydney East Coast Tour(EX2641) (Touring) Travel from Cairns to Sydney on this 12 day tour. This is a one-of-a-kind East Coast experience, highlights include: Townsville, Long Island, breakfast with the animals, Fraser Island and Byron Bay....
Island Escape Tour(EX2661) (Touring) Travel from Cairns to Brisbane on this memorable 10 day tour. See the most exciting Queensland locations such as Harvey Bay, Fraser Island, Rockhampton, Daydream Island, Great Barrier Reef and Cairns....
Queensland DVD (Queenslands South East - Land of Scenic Wonder)
Purchase the DVD that portrays Queensland's South East including footage of Fraser Island, Glass House Mountains, Blackall Range, Montville, Mount Tamborine and Springbrook's unforgettable rock bridge.
Taking you through the tree tops in Lamington where the thick, green roof shades; the mysterious underworld of the forest floor. On to Noosa, a haven of stunning national parks and brilliant waterways. Plus the amazing coloured sands of Teewah and Rainbow Beach.
PLEASE NOTE: The Queensland travel destinations outlined above are only a small selection from the tens of thousands of Australian travel information pages available on Australian Explorer. A comprehensive list of destinations for Queensland Holidays can be found on the main Queensland Holidays location guide.
