The jewel in the crown; Cairns city is a low-rise collection of tropical buildings, palm trees, excellent dining options, great accommodation and the starting spot for discovering the unique landscape and activities of the region

Tucked away on the Atherton Tablelands, Kuranda is a must visit spot with great markets, historic buildings, a national park and a village atmosphere; a short drive away is a wildlife reserve and the cool breezes of the tablelands

With its white, sandy beaches, elegant palms, five-star resorts & spas and luxurious accommodation, Palm Cove has an island-feel making this beach 20 minutes north of the city a popular spot to visit in the Cairns regio

The holiday town of Port Douglas offers gourmet food, luxurious resorts, great diving and a laid-back attitude just minutes from the Daintree Rainforest; if you’re lucky you might spot a movie star or three dining al fresc

The natural wonders of the world heritage Daintree National Park – where the rainforest meets the sea – is not to be missed; take a camping or hiking trip, hire a 4WD or enjoy a guided walk with the indigenous people

To the west of Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands are up to 1100m above sea level and are a cool getaway from the coastal plain around Cairns city; enjoy the local coffee, fruit, wine & cheese, the Yungaburra Markets and cold waterfall

For an extreme experience of the natural landscape head further north to Cape Tribulation, Cape York & Cooktown for isolated stretches of pristine beach, awesome fishing, Aboriginal culture, dramatic mountains and rainforest

About two hours south of Cairns is the township of Mission Beach offering wide beaches, the Wet Tropics rainforest national parks and glorious Dunk Island just off the coast; check out Paronella Park and the Babinda Boulders as well