Cairns, Port Douglas and Far North Qld
Cairns, Port Douglas and Far North Qld
The Cassowary Coast
The Cassowary Coast is the place for energetic bushwalkers, indolent sunlovers and those whose ideal holiday includes a little of both. Queensland's highest mountains, Bellenden Ker and Mt Bartle Frere, rise from pristine rainforests and beyond the miles of beaches are 20 uninhabited and resort islands scattered among the coral reefs.
Named for the majestic flightless bird which inhabits its forests, the Cassowary Coast extends from the southern parts of Cairns to Cardwell beside a scenic highway which winds through World Heritage areas and small towns. Off the highway are seaside villages, sugar and fruit plantations, crocodile farms, a pioneer's dream castle in an environmental park, an orchid display, rivers for rafting, canoeing, cruising and fishing. Some national parks, including Bellenden Ker, offer a strenuous walking challenge for the fit and adventurous. Others have easy tracks to waterfalls and the birdlife of the Eubenangee Wetlands. If you're keen to explore, ask your tour desk or a local for recommendations.
Most of the towns began with the sugar industry but have outgrown their similarities over a century. Gordonvale preserves its Queensland-style town square; Innisfail reflects the influence of its pioneers in European architecture and a Chinese joss house. Babinda promotes its legendary Boulders and a successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander craft and tourism co-operative. Tully is famous for its white water rafting and kayaking; Cardwell is the base for cruising Hinchinbrook Channel, one of Australia's most spectacular waterways. Bramston and Kurrimine Beaches have secluded holiday accommodation. Mission Beach is a self-contained holiday haven of small villages along 14km of coast.
Forest grows to the wide sandy beaches lined with small resorts, motels, apartments, hostels and caravan parks with on-site cabins. There are cruises to the reef and islands, water taxis to Dunk Island, adventure and sporting activities, day tours, restaurants, shops, galleries and weekend markets.
Dunk and Bedarra Islands have idyllic luxury resorts. Hinchinbrook, Australia's largest island National Park, has a small resort and hiking tracks through the wilderness of rainforests, everglades and mountains. Camping permits are available for some of the uninhabited islands which are accessible on regular or charter cruises.
