Part of Queensland’s northern coast, these two areas share a common history in that both were important places during Captain Cook’s journey of exploration to the area in the 1770’s. Cape Tribulation is where his ship ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef, and Cooktown is where he settled to make subsequent repairs to the ship. Today, both are somewhat isolated and do take a little planning to get to, but are definitely worth the effort.
There are two roads from Cairns that take visitors into Cooktown – the coastal and the inland. The coastal route is more direct but is recommended only for four wheel drive vehicles as there are several creek crossings, while the inland road is suitable for all vehicles. Although a cyclone destroyed the town in 1949, it was rebuilt and is now becoming a tourist centre for visitors heading to the Cape York region. As a small frontier town, Cooktown’s population is only about 1300 and the town literally only has a few streets. However, the town is rich in history, has a multitude of recreational opportunities such as fishing and river cruises, and offers exceptionally friendly hospitality. Be sure to check out the Grassy Hill Lookout for a tremendous view of the area.
Cape Tribulation is a lush and rainforest-covered national park. It is a unique area since the rainforests stretch right out to the wide, sandy beaches, allowing visitors to enjoy the best of both worlds. There are many ways to enjoy the park, including walking, swimming, and diving. Horse-back riding, particularly on the beach is also a very popular activity and the Marrdja Botanical Walk is an easy boardwalk where visitors can explore the rainforest. There are tours available from Cairns, and if you are planning on taking your own vehicle be sure to call ahead to the Daintree Ferry to ensure that you’ll be able to cross the river to get into the park.
As one of Australia’s premier natural attractions, the Great Barrier Reef attracts visitors from all over the world. The reef is truly an amazing sight, and with so many different tours available, can be enjoyed by visitors of all diving and swimming experience. Over 2600 kilometers long, the reef also has more than 1000 islands, so it can be difficult to know where to start planning your visit. Whether you are planning on just spending a day on the reef, or whether it is the focal point of your trip, the best place to start is the city of Cairns in northern Queensland.
Cairns is considered the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and here you’ll find a multitude of tour companies offering a large variety of reef tours on all kinds of vessels. Most tours enjoy a three hour stop on the reef for diving and snorkeling, and a stop on Fitzroy or Green Island. Depending on the tour you decide upon, you might enjoy a relaxing day out on a boat or spend your time listening to marine biologists explain more about the reef habitat. There really is something for everyone.
Tours usually leave early in the morning and are gone all day. Consider leaving valuables and passports back at the hotel, and don’t forget to wear your swimsuit with light clothing over top. A towel, sunglasses, and shoes for walking on hot pavement will all make your trip more enjoyable. You’ll probably want to take lots of pictures, so an underwater camera and lots of film is a must. Most tour companies do provide some kind of lunch, usually buffet style.
Those who prefer to enjoy the area on their own terms might want to consider taking the ferry across to Green or Fitzroy Island where there are a handful of resort hotels offering snorkeling and diving packages.
Located on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, this region has four unique areas, each with many attractions to draw visitors. Rainbow Beach is named for its multicolored sand, and with seventy-four different shades it makes it a natural wonder not to be missed. Also at Rainbow Beach is the Double Island Pointhouse where you might see whales during migration seasons, and the Carlo Sand Blow where you can watch hang gliders and paragliders. There is excellent scuba diving area, and divers can expect to see manta rays, eagle rays, the giant Queensland groper, and also the endangered grey nurse shark.
For those who want to get out on the water, Tin Can Bay is a great spot for fishing or renting a yacht to cruise around the bay. Also, houseboats can be rented here for a truly different vacationing experience. If you’d rather stay on the shore, an environmental walkway allows visitors to view local wildlife without disturbing them.
Gympie is an old boomtown from the goldrush era, and still retains its mining roots. Here visitors can ride an old steam train or peruse the Gold Mining and Historical Museum as well as the Woodworks Forestry and Timber Museum. Those hoping to strike it rich can try their hand at panning for gold, just be sure to pick up a fossicking permit from the local information centre.
Mary Valley is a beautiful and natural area of rolling hills. Lake Borumba is a popular fishing spot and also a great place to enjoy waterskiing and other water sports. Visitors can also look for bell-birds in the specially preserved bell-bird habitat or take the fourteen kilometer forest drive through Imbil State Forest. Country music fans may choose to visit the area over the last weekend in August to enjoy the National Country Music Muster. With the natural setting as a backdrop, campers enjoy a beautiful setting and great music!
