Far North Queensland

An 11 week trip through Queensland with a mix of coastal and inland travel. Motorhome and Jimny. Read more

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Far North Queensland
Kuranda
August 31, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Kuranda, nestled in the lush rainforest of Far North Queensland, has long been a place of cultural and natural significance. Originally home to the Djabugay people, the region became more widely known in the late 19th century with the development of the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Constructed between 1886 and 1891, the railway was an engineering feat of its time, carved through dense rainforest, steep ravines, and across dozens of bridges and tunnels. Built to support the mining and timber industries, it opened up the remote Atherton Tablelands to the coast and remains one of Queensland’s most iconic rail journeys, carrying visitors through breathtaking scenery to this day.

Kuranda also played an important role in Queensland’s hydroelectric development. In the 1930s, the Barron Falls Hydro-Electric Power Station was established near Kuranda, harnessing the power of the mighty Barron River. This was Queensland’s first major hydroelectric scheme and marked a shift toward renewable energy production in the state. The hydro system provided much-needed electricity to the growing Cairns region and still operates today as part of Queensland’s energy grid. Together, the railway and the hydro project highlight Kuranda’s unique blend of natural beauty, human ingenuity, and historical importance.

Today, Kuranda is best known as a vibrant rainforest village and a popular tourist destination. Visitors can arrive via the historic Scenic Railway or glide above the canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, both offering stunning views of the Barron Gorge and surrounding wilderness. In town, the famous Kuranda Markets showcase local arts, crafts, and produce, while attractions such as the Butterfly Sanctuary, Koala Gardens, and Birdworld provide close encounters with native wildlife. With its mix of cultural experiences, including Indigenous art galleries and performances, alongside cafés and rainforest walks, Kuranda continues to draw travellers seeking both relaxation and immersion in one of Australia’s most unique natural and cultural landscapes.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Port Douglas
September 1, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Port Douglas, located an hour’s drive north of Cairns, is a laid-back tropical town renowned for its relaxed charm and natural beauty. Once a bustling port during the gold rush of the late 1800s, it has evolved into a boutique holiday destination, offering easy access to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The town’s centre is lined with stylish restaurants, galleries, and shops, while Four Mile Beach stretches invitingly along the coast, perfect for a morning walk or swim. With its blend of luxury resorts, local markets, and a welcoming village atmosphere, Port Douglas is a gateway to some of Far North Queensland’s most iconic experiences.

As we were walking along the shopping street we bumped into Nikki and Martin who are also on the travel trail and happened to have visited Port Douglas for the day. What are the chances of that?Read more
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Far North Queensland
Wangetti Trail
September 2, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
The Wangetti Trail is a 94-kilometre walking and mountain biking track that links Palm Cove to Port Douglas along the spectacular coast of Far North Queensland. Winding through tropical rainforest, open eucalypt woodland, and rugged headlands, it offers breathtaking views of the Coral Sea as well as opportunities to spot native wildlife. Designed as a multi-day adventure, the trail passes by cultural sites of significance to the Kuku Yalanji people and highlights the region’s rich biodiversity. With sections suitable for day trips as well as longer treks, the Wangetti Trail is set to become one of Australia’s premier eco-tourism experiences, combining natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and cultural connection.

We did a 5km section from Ellis Beach back to Palm Cove and it was a very pleasant walk. We continued onto Palm Cove beach for an iced coffee at Nu Nu and an Uber back to Ellis BeachRead more
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Far North Queensland
Daintree Beach Resort
September 3, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
We have 6 nights at the Daintree Beach resort situated on the coast about 15km north of Mossman and on the road to Cape Tribulation. Again, well use the campground as our base to explore the Daintree region and Cape Tribulation.

Nikki and Martin extended their stay by 1 night and we had dinner with them in the campground.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Daintree Discovery Centre
September 4, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
The Daintree Discovery Centre is located in the heart of the world’s oldest rainforest and offers an immersive way to explore the unique ecosystems of the Daintree. Featuring elevated boardwalks, a 23-metre-high canopy tower, and an aerial walkway, it allows visitors to experience the rainforest from the forest floor right up to the treetops. Interactive displays and audio guides provide insights into the region’s plants, wildlife, and Indigenous heritage, while the Jurassic Forest exhibit showcases the area’s ancient origins. As an award-winning eco-tourism attraction, the centre blends education with conservation, giving travellers a deeper appreciation of the rainforest’s global significance.

If you get lucky you may even see a cassowary foraging on the forest floor. Sadly, all was saw was the Sandman parked out the front.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Cape Tribulation & the Bloomfield Track
September 4, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
The describe the Daintree and Cape Tribulation as the place where the rainforest meets the ocean and it is absolutely true. There is a feeling about the age of this place that is like no other I have visited. The rain forest has been the same for about 150 million years, predating the dinosaurs and the crocodiles by a long way and surviving longer than them. There are plant species that have not changed in over 100 million years due to how well they have adapted to living in this climate and geological and climatic conditions. It is the oldest known rainforest on the planet, older than the Amazon. If you come to this part of the world you MUST expose yourself to the history and the science of the region. There are multiple ways to do it, with personalised tours, public walks with plenty of annotation and also the Daintree Discovery
Centre, the subject of another story here.

There is a “track” that runs from Cape Tribulation to Cooktown and largely follows a straight line between the two towns. Sounds easy right. Not so fast. Gravel and dirt sections, currently being repaired after cyclone damage, steep sections of over 30% grade and multiple river/creek crossings, makes this a challenging way to get from Cape Tribulation to Cooktown. 100km instead of over 300km is attractive but not doable unless the conditions and your vehicle are right.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Mossman Gorge
September 5, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
A visit to Mossman Gorge offers a serene and refreshing experience in the southern reaches of the Daintree Rainforest. Just a short drive from Port Douglas, the gorge is renowned for its crystal-clear waters tumbling over granite boulders, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Visitors can begin their journey at the Mossman Gorge Centre, where guided Dreamtime Walks led by the Kuku Yalanji people share stories of culture, traditions, and connection to country. Well-maintained walking tracks and suspension bridges provide access to lookouts and swimming holes, making it a perfect spot to both learn about Indigenous heritage and enjoy the natural beauty of the rainforest.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Around Mossman
September 8, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Having been to most of the major activities we decided to do some low key exploring.

We visited a local winery that makes wine from tropical fruit. It's nothing like you expect.

We visited an award winning chocolate factory and did a tasting.

We found the local croc-free watering hole at Shannonvale Water hole on Shannonvale Rd.

And finally found mosaic works by the Mossman State High School students.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Daintree River Croc tour
September 8, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
We’d read good things about the Solar Whisper cruises on the Daintree River, so decided to give their one-hour trip a crack. These electric boats are whisper quiet, which apparently gives you a better chance of spotting the local wildlife without scaring them off with engine noise.

Our guide knew his stuff - proper local knowledge about the croc population in this stretch of the river, not just generic tourist spiel. He explained how the saltwater crocs have made a remarkable comeback since hunting was banned in the 1970s. Back then, they were nearly extinct in these waters, but now there’s a healthy breeding population that’s gradually working its way back to pre-hunting numbers.

We managed to spot several crocs during the cruise, ranging from a smaller juvenile to a couple of impressive adults that were easily four metres plus. The guide could identify individual animals and had names for the regulars (Scarface, Charlotte and Bungeye to name a few) - apparently some of these big fellas have been using the same stretch of riverbank for years. It’s fascinating watching them in their natural environment, just lying motionless in the shallows.

What struck us was how perfectly adapted these ancient predators are to their environment. They can stay submerged for over an hour, regulate their body temperature by moving between sun and shade, and when they do move, it’s with surprising speed and grace for something that looks like a floating log most of the time. They do not operate weel if the water temp varies outside 28 to 32 degrees, so we are unlikely to see them in the south for some time.

The electric propulsion system really does make a difference - we were able to get quite close to several crocs without them bolting for deeper water. The silence also means you can hear the sounds of the rainforest properly: bird calls, water lapping against the mangroves, and the occasional splash of something hitting the water.

An hour felt about right - long enough to see plenty of wildlife and get a proper understanding of the ecosystem, but not so long that you’re just cruising around looking at the same bits of riverbank. If you’re in the Daintree area and want to see some impressive reptiles in their natural habitat, Solar Whisper definitely delivers the goods. at A$35pp.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Cooktown
September 10, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Cooktown’s got more history packed into its dusty streets than most Australian towns twice its size, so we decided to spend a proper day exploring what this frontier settlement has to offer.

We made our way up to Grassy Hill Lookout for the panoramic views across the region. The climb is worth the effort - from up there you get the whole sweep of the coastline, the Endeavour River mouth, and the hinterland stretching away to the west. On a clear day you can see why this spot was chosen as a natural harbour - it’s one of the few decent anchorages along this stretch of coast. The view gives you a real sense of just how isolated this place is, surrounded by Cape York wilderness in every direction.

The main street has that classic frontier town feel - wide enough to turn a bullock team around, with verandahed buildings that have seen better days but still maintain their character. There’s enough heritage architecture to give you a sense of what this place was like during the Palmer River gold rush when it was briefly one of the busiest ports in Australia.

Down at the foreshore there’s the monument marking where Cook’s party came ashore back in 1770 when the Endeavour ran aground on the reef and limped into the river for repairs. Standing there looking out over the water, you can imagine what it must have been like for both the Europeans and the local Guugu Yimithirr people witnessing each other for the first time. The setting is still remarkably unchanged - mangroves, mudflats, and that sense of being at the edge of the world.

We watched the sun go down along the Endeavour River foreshore, and what a perfect way to end the day. There’s something special about watching the sun set over this historic waterway, cold drink in hand, while the river reflects the changing colours of the sky even if it is potentially illegal. The peaceful atmosphere and the sense of history make it one of those moments that stick with you.

It’s not fancy, but Cooktown’s got genuine character - the kind of place where history feels immediate rather than academic, and where you can still get a real sense of what frontier Australia was like.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Lions Den Hotel, Wujal Wujal & Black Mtn
September 10, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Decided to explore south of Cooktown for the day, taking in some proper frontier territory and geological wonders along the way. It’s a decent drive through country that ranges from coastal views to some of the most unusual rock formations you’ll see anywhere in Australia.

First stop was the legendary Lions Den Hotel at Helenvale. This place has to be seen to be believed - a proper old-school pub that’s been serving travellers since 1875. The walls are covered with business cards, stubby holders, and decades worth of graffiti from visitors who’ve made the pilgrimage. It’s the kind of establishment where the beer’s cold, the stories are tall, and everyone’s got time for a chat. The current owners keep the tradition alive beautifully - it’s exactly what you’d hope an outback pub would be.

Bloomfield was next, though calling it a town is being generous. It’s more of a scattered community nestled where the Bloomfield River meets the sea. The scenery here is spectacular - dense rainforest, crystal clear river, and that sense of being properly isolated from the rest of the world. You can see why people choose to live in places like this, even if it means being hours from the nearest decent shops.

Wujal Wujal is an Aboriginal community that sits in stunning country where the Bloomfield River winds through mountains and rainforest. We were respectful visitors, just passing through, but you can’t help but appreciate the connection between the people and this landscape that goes back thousands of years. The drive through this area is genuinely breathtaking - the kind of country that makes you understand why Queensland’s reputation for natural beauty is well deserved.

Black Mountain National Park was our final stop, and what an extraordinary place. These massive granite boulders piled on top of each other create one of the most unusual landscapes you’ll see anywhere in Australia. The Aboriginal name is Kalkajaka, meaning “place of the spear,” and you can understand why - the dark granite formations jut up from the surrounding country like giant spears thrust into the earth.

The rocks themselves are fascinating from a geological perspective, but there’s something almost otherworldly about the place. Local Aboriginal stories speak of the mountain being home to spirits, and frankly, standing among those towering boulder formations, you can feel why. The whole area has an atmosphere that’s hard to describe - not threatening exactly, but definitely commanding respect.Read more
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Far North Queensland
End of the road (tarmac)
September 11, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Sometimes you’ve just got to scratch that itch to see how far the sealed road actually goes. From Cooktown, we decided to head north on the Peninsula Developmental Road to find out exactly where civilisation gives up and hands over to proper outback tracks.

The drive takes you through some classic Cape York country - vast stretches of savanna woodland punctuated by the occasional creek crossing and cattle station turn-off. First stop was Lakeland, which is barely a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sort of place these days. Used to be a proper mining town back in the day, but now it’s mainly a fuel stop for those heading further north.

Laura’s got a bit more going for it - still a small town by any measure, but it’s the gateway to some significant Aboriginal rock art sites and serves the surrounding pastoral properties. We didn’t linger, but you can see this is where the last vestiges of suburban Australia finally peter out completely.

Beyond Laura, the country opens up even more. The road stays sealed, but you’re definitely in frontier territory now. Cattle grids become more frequent, the properties get bigger, and the signs of regular human habitation become increasingly sparse. This is where you start to appreciate just how bloody big this continent is.

About 15 kilometres before you reach the Hann River crossing, that’s where the adventure really begins - or ends, depending on your perspective. The sealed road simply stops. Just like that. One minute you’re cruising along on decent bitumen, the next you’re looking at a dirt track disappearing into the distance toward the Hann River and beyond.

Standing there at the end of the tarmac, you realise you’re at a proper crossroads of Australian geography. Keep going north and you’re committed to dirt roads, creek crossings, and the kind of remote country where a breakdown becomes a genuine problem. Turn around, and you’re heading back to the relative comfort of sealed roads and regular fuel stops.

We chose to turn around - didn’t have the right setup or supplies for a proper Cape expedition and the motorhome was back in Cooktown. But there’s something satisfying about knowing you’ve driven as far north as you can go on sealed roads from the bottom of Australia. It’s about 60 kilometres NW of Laura, in case you’re planning your own pilgrimage to where the bitumen runs out.

The drive back to Cooktown felt almost civilised by comparison.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Cairns
September 12, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
We decided to take the inland route from Cooktown to Cairns via Mareeba and Kuranda rather than backtracking along the coast. It’s a decent drive through some spectacular country, winding through the Atherton Tablelands before dropping down the range into Cairns.

The drive itself is straightforward enough until you hit the Kuranda Range Road. That’s where things get interesting - and by interesting, I mean steep, winding, and currently plagued by stop-start roadworks that seem to have been going on for ages. Every few kilometres you’re pulling up behind a line of cars, waiting for the lights to let you through yet another section of single-lane traffic.

.What should be a 30-minute descent turns into the better part of an hour, crawling behind trucks and caravans while the road drops away dramatically through the rainforest. The views are spectacular when you get a chance to appreciate them, but mostly you’re focused on not riding the bumper of the cars and vans in front of you.

Rolled into Cairns to wet season weather (still dry season however) - properly bucketing down, then clearing to that heavy overcast that makes everything feel a bit oppressive. Not exactly the tropical paradise the brochures promise in the dry, but that’s North Queensland for you.

Managed to find our way to Prawn Star for dinner, and what a great choice that turned out to be. This floating restaurant moored at the marina serves up some of the freshest seafood you’ll find in Cairns. Their prawns are the real deal - local, sweet, and cooked perfectly. The setting’s pretty special too, eating on deck with the marina lights reflecting off the water.

Next day we made our way to Salt House for what turned into a very long, very satisfying lunch. This place has carved out a reputation as one of Cairns’ better establishments, and it’s easy to see why. Perched right on the waterfront with decent views across Trinity Inlet, the setting alone makes it worth the visit. The menu focuses on local produce and seafood, and they clearly know their way around a kitchen.

We settled in for the afternoon, making the most of being somewhere comfortable while the weather sorted itself out. Sometimes the best part of travel is finding a good spot and just staying put for a while, especially when the alternative is wandering around in the humidity getting progressively more damp.

Both restaurants reminded us why Cairns has developed such a solid food scene - access to brilliant local ingredients and chefs who know how to use them properly.Read more
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Far North Queensland
A day on the reef
September 14, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 25 °C
Sometimes the weather gods have other plans, and our day trip to Hastings Reef aboard the Passions 3 catamaran was one of those occasions. We’d booked this trip with high expectations - Hastings Reef sits about 60km northeast of Cairns and has a reputation as one of the premier outer reef destinations.

The Passions 3 is a sizeable catamaran that can handle decent numbers without feeling overcrowded, and the crew were professional from the get-go. Smooth departure from the Reef Fleet Terminal, and the journey out took about 2 hours through relatively calm seas. No complaints about the vessel or the service - they know what they’re doing.

The reef structure at Hastings is genuinely impressive when you get in the water. Massive coral formations rise from the sandy bottom, creating natural amphitheatres teeming with marine life. We spotted the usual suspects: parrotfish, angelfish, and a decent variety of smaller reef fish going about their business and a lone green sea turtle.

What struck us was the sheer scale of the coral formations - some of these bommies are absolutely enormous. The diversity is impressive too, from delicate staghorn corals to massive brain corals that must be decades old.

The crew took us to two different sites, giving everyone plenty of time in the water at each location. They clearly know these reefs well and positioned the boat to take advantage of the best coral viewing spots. All snorkelling gear was provided and in good condition.

Lunch on board was solid - nothing fancy but decent quality and variety. The crew were happy to share their knowledge about what we were seeing, pointing out different fish species and coral types for those interested.

Hastings Reef clearly has the goods - the coral health and fish diversity speak for themselves. Passions 3 is a solid operator with experienced crew who know how to show visitors the best their patch of reef has to offer. Worth doing if you’re in Cairns and want to experience the outer reef properly.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Babinda Boulders
September 15, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
Just a 20-minute drive inland from Babinda township, the Boulders are one of those spots that make you wonder why you don’t venture off the Bruce Highway more often. Crystal clear mountain water rushing through massive granite boulders creates a series of natural pools that are absolutely perfect for a hot North Queensland day.

The drive in takes you through proper sugar cane country before winding into rainforest. There’s a decent car park and well-maintained boardwalk that leads you down to the main swimming hole - no epic hike required, a bonus if you’re carrying eskies and towels.

The water is bloody cold, even by tropical standards, fed by mountain streams that rarely see direct sunlight. The main swimming area has been carved out by thousands of years of flowing water, creating deep pockets surrounded by smooth granite that’s perfect for sitting and soaking up the atmosphere.

What makes this place special isn’t just the swimming - it’s the Aboriginal cultural significance. The Yidinji people have stories about these rocks going back thousands of years, including the legend of Oolana and Dyga, star-crossed lovers whose tragedy supposedly created the turbulent waters at Devil’s Pool upstream. The current owners of the site respect this heritage, with interpretive signs explaining the cultural importance of the area.

Word of warning about Devil’s Pool further upstream - it’s off-limits for swimming and for good reason. The currents are genuinely dangerous, and sadly there have been fatalities over the years. Stick to the designated swimming areas where the water is calmer and safer.

Doing the Cairns to Townsville coastal drive, this is an easy detour that’ll give you a proper taste of the Wet Tropics without the crowds you get at some of the more famous swimming holes. Just don’t expect to have the place to yourself - word’s definitely out about this little gem.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Paronella Park
September 15, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
We’d heard whispers about this place tucked away in the rainforest near Innisfail, but nothing quite prepares you for the magic of Paronella Park. Built by Spanish immigrant José Paronella in the 1930s, it’s part castle, part botanical garden, and entirely captivating.

The story goes that José arrived in Australia with big dreams and an even bigger vision. After years of cane cutting and saving every penny, he bought 13 hectares of rainforest and set about creating his own slice of paradise. Bloke must have been absolutely mad - or brilliant. Probably both.

The centrepiece is his concrete castle, complete with grand staircase and ballroom where he held dances for the local community. Standing there, you can almost hear the music echoing through the arches. The whole place feels like something out of a fairy tale, which was exactly José’s intention. He wanted to create somewhere magical for his wife Margarita and their family.

What struck us most was how he worked with the landscape rather than against it. The tennis court sits alongside Mena Creek Falls, where you can take a refreshing dip in crystal-clear water after exploring. The sound of cascading water provides a constant soundtrack as you wander through his gardens, now mature and lush after nearly a century of growth.

The park has weathered cyclones, floods, and fires over the decades, but the current owners have lovingly restored what they can while letting nature reclaim other sections. It’s this blend of human ambition and natural resilience that makes the place so compelling.

We did the day tour which includes the museum and a decent walk through the grounds, but they also offer night tours where the ruins are lit up against the rainforest backdrop. Next time we’re up that way, the night tour is definitely on the list.

If you’re doing the Cairns to Mission Beach run, it’s absolutely worth the detour. José’s dream might have been battered by time and weather, but the spirit of the place - that anything’s possible with enough determination and vision - is still very much alive.

Pro tip: wear decent walking shoes and bring your swimmers. The falls are too good to miss, and after walking around in North Queensland humidity, you’ll be grateful for the cool water.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Cardwell
September 17, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Cardwell in on the Bruce Hwy between Cairns and Townsville. We’ve stopped here for two nights on our way south.

We visited Murray Falls about 35km north of Cardwell. The falls have quite a bit of water flowing currently but must be mighty when the “wet” sets in. We also visited the Cardwell Spa Pool, often a turquoise colour due to the chemical interactions between the local rocks and the flowing water. Sadly, the water is not flowing due to a dry spell and the spa pool is closed for health reasons.

A drive to the Cardwell Lookout parking area followed by a strenuous 650m hike up a steep hill provided us with a lovely view over to Hinchinbrook Island. Shame that it was overcast today.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Townsville
September 18, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Had a couple of days in Townsville exploring what North Queensland's largest city has to offer beyond being a jumping-off point for Magnetic Island.

The Strand is Townsville's signature attraction - a 2.5-kilometre beachfront promenade that locals clearly take pride in. It's lined with parks, swimming enclosures, cafes, and restaurants, and provides excellent views across to Magnetic Island. The rockpool and water park make it popular with families, while the walking and cycling paths attract early morning exercisers. It's the kind of well-maintained public space that gives you a sense of how seriously Townsville takes its lifestyle appeal.

Jezzine Barracks sits on the headland overlooking the Strand and deserves proper exploration. This former military site has been transformed into parkland with walking tracks through tropical gardens and along the clifftop. The views across Cleveland Bay are spectacular, and the interpretive signage does a good job explaining the site's military history stretching back to the 1940s.

The WWII memorial at Kissing Point is worth the visit for anyone interested in Australia's wartime history. Townsville was a crucial staging point during WWII, with thousands of Allied troops passing through on their way to the Pacific campaign. The memorial overlooks the port and provides context for just how important this city was to the war effort - the largest garrison city in Australia at the time, with more American troops stationed here than Australians.

Standing there looking out over the harbour, you can imagine what it must have been like during the war years when the port was packed with naval vessels and troops. The strategic importance of Townsville's position relative to Papua New Guinea and the Pacific theatre becomes obvious from this vantage point.

Between the Strand, Jezzine Barracks, and the WWII sites, Townsville offers more than we expected. It's a proper regional city with decent infrastructure and enough historical significance to warrant a couple of days exploring. We also did the Magnetic Island day trip (covered elsewhere), which rounds out a solid few days in North Queensland's largest centre.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Magnetic Island
September 19, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Caught the ferry from Townsville over to Magnetic Island for the day - always good to get out on the water and see the mainland from a different perspective. The ferry ride's short and sweet, and you get decent views of both Townsville and the island as you approach.

First stop was Nelly Bay where we grabbed coffee at Tiny Palm. Good coffee and a pleasant spot to get your bearings before exploring the rest of the island. The cafe's got that relaxed island vibe you'd expect.

Best discovery of the day was the bus system - just $1 for an all-day ticket that gets you anywhere on the island. Absolute bargain and takes the hassle out of getting around. The buses are regular enough and cover most of the main spots, so you can hop on and off without worrying about transport.

Made our way over to Horseshoe Bay for lunch, which turned out to be a bit disappointing. The setting's lovely - proper tropical beach with palm trees and decent swimming - but the food was pretty average. One of those places that's probably coasting on the location rather than focusing on what's on the plate.

Still, hard to complain too much when you're sitting near a beautiful beach with an ice-cold beer. Sometimes the setting makes up for mediocre tucker, and Horseshoe Bay's definitely got the scenery sorted.

The island's worth the day trip from Townsville, especially with that $1 bus ticket making it so easy to get around. Just maybe pack a picnic instead of relying on the lunch options.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Townsville Art Trail
September 20, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
We'd heard about Townsville's Art Trail and decided to give it a look while we were in town. The trail winds through the city centre - takes about an hour if you're moving at a decent pace.

What struck us was the variety of murals, from large-scale pieces celebrating local history to contemporary street art that wouldn't look out of place in any major city. Some work better than others, but overall the standard's higher than we anticipated for a regional centre.

The trail takes you through parts of the city you might otherwise miss, including laneways and courtyards where some of the best murals are tucked away. Makes the whole thing feel a bit like a treasure hunt. Gives you a different perspective on Townsville - more creative and culturally aware than you'd expect.

Worth doing if you're in town with an hour to spare and want to see a different side of the place.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Charters Towers
September 22, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Had a day in Charters Towers and explored what was once one of Queensland's largest gold towns. This place was absolutely booming during the 1870s gold rush - at its peak it was Queensland's second-largest city after Brisbane, which is hard to imagine when you see it today.

First stop was the Towers Lookout for the obligatory panoramic views over the town and surrounding countryside. From up there you get a real sense of the scale of the place and can imagine what it must have been like when thousands of prospectors and miners descended on this spot chasing their fortunes.

The Charters Towers Wall of History is worth the time - tells the story of how this remote outback location became one of Australia's richest Goldfields. (The wall is a mosaic composition created from 5 million tiles.)

The gold finds here were extraordinary, and the town that grew up around the mines was surprisingly sophisticated for somewhere so isolated. At its height, Charters Towers had a stock exchange, numerous banks, grand hotels, and even electric street lighting before many of the major cities.

What's fascinating is how quickly it all happened and then declined. Within a couple of decades, Charters Towers went from a dusty cattle station to a thriving city of 30,000 people, then gradually faded as the gold ran out and people moved on to the next big strike.

Walking around today, you can still see the bones of that boom-time prosperity in the grand old buildings and wide streets designed for the traffic and commerce of a major regional centre. It's a classic Australian gold rush story - spectacular rise, massive wealth, then the inevitable decline when the easy gold was gone.

Worth the day trip to get a sense of just how dramatically the gold rushes shaped Queensland's development.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Hughenden & Porcupine Gorge
September 23, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Had a day in Hughenden and discovered this outback town has more to offer than you’d expect. The street art around town is surprisingly good quality - murals celebrating local history and the area’s dinosaur heritage that give the main street some real character.

But the main attraction is Porcupine Gorge, about 60 kilometres north of town. This spectacular gorge was carved over millions of years by the Flinders River cutting through ancient sandstone and volcanic rock layers. The result is a dramatic red rock chasm that drops away into green pools and permanent water - a proper oasis in the outback landscape.

The star attraction is the Pyramid, a distinctive rock formation that rises from the gorge floor like something out of the American Southwest. There are several hiking options around the area, ranging from easy walks along the rim to more challenging descents into the gorge itself.

The rim walk gives you spectacular views down into the gorge and across to the Pyramid formation. It’s relatively easy going and well worth doing for the panoramic views. If you’re feeling more adventurous, the track down into the gorge is steeper but rewards you with close-up views of the rock formations and access to the permanent pools. A swim in the gorge is highly recommended.

The geology here tells the story of ancient seas, volcanic activity, and millions of years of erosion. Standing on the rim looking across that landscape, you get a real sense of deep time and the forces that shaped this country.

Pack plenty of water and sun protection - it’s proper outback country out there. But if you’re passing through Hughenden, Porcupine Gorge is definitely worth the detour to see some of inland Queensland’s most dramatic scenery.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Winton
September 25, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
We rolled into Winton just as the Outback Festival was in full swing, and the whole town was buzzing. Main Street had that good old country carnival feel — dust underfoot, kids running wild, whips cracking and the unmistakable smell of interesting food drifting from the food stalls.

The festival is famous for its “Australian Dunny Derby” — only in the outback would people strap wheels to an outhouse and race it down the street. The crowd was loving every second, cheering on their favourite teams like it was the Melbourne Cup.

We wandered past live music, market stalls, and plenty of cold beer flowing to keep the dust down. Lunch at the North Gregory one day and Tattersalls the next. As the sun dipps, the wide Winton sky turns pink and gold, and the whole place feel like it's wrapped in that magic outback glow.

Small town, big heart — and Winton knows how to throw a party.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Age of the Dinosaurs
September 26, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Just outside Winton sits one of the best surprises in the outback — the Australian Age of Dinosaurs. Perched high on a mesa with endless views over the jump-up country, it feels like you’re walking into another world.

We started with the March of the Titanosaurs, a boardwalk winding over a huge slab of fossilised footprints. You can literally trace the steps of creatures that walked this land 95 million years ago. The scale of it is mind-blowing — you almost expect something big to come thundering over the ridge.

From there we wandered through Dinosaur Canyon, a striking outdoor exhibit with life-sized bronze dinosaurs scattered along the cliffs and gullies. The mix of art, landscape, and storytelling made it easy to imagine the place teeming with giants.

The final stop was the fossil preparation laboratory, where volunteers and staff painstakingly chip away at rock to reveal ancient bones. Watching someone uncover a femur that’s been hidden for millions of years is humbling — and a little addictive.

If Winton has a crown jewel, this might just be it.Read more
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Far North Queensland
Stockman’s Hall of Fame - Longreach
September 28, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Had a day at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame in Longreach, and it’s an essential stop for anyone wanting to understand the outback pastoral industry that built inland Australia.

The museum tells the story of the pioneers, drovers, and station owners who opened up this country - everything from Aboriginal stockmen to the Flying Doctor Service that made remote living viable. The exhibits are comprehensive and give you a proper appreciation for just how tough life was for those early settlers and the people who continue to work this country today.

What struck us was the breadth of the story they tell. It’s not just about cattle and sheep - it’s about the infrastructure, the isolation, the ingenuity required to survive out here, and the cultural impact of the pastoral industry on Australian identity. The droving stories alone are fascinating, imagining those massive cattle drives across hundreds of kilometres of unforgiving country.
The building itself is impressive, purpose-built to house the collection with plenty of space to properly display everything from stockman’s gear to historic photographs and personal stories from the people who lived this life. Tribute is also paid to the often unsung contribution of women on this frontier.

The live Stockman’s show is entertaining and gives an idea of how horses and dogs are used out here. It also touches on the contribution of the country men to Australia’s efforts in WW1 through the use of the Australian Stock horse in the cavalry. Be prepared for plenty of bad dad jokes.

Allow a few hours - there’s too much here to rush through. If you’re in Longreach, it’s a must-visit to understand the history and ongoing importance of the pastoral industry in outback Queensland.Read more
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