<strong>Dive right in:</strong> Take a trip to Cairns' world famous backyard, the pristine Great Barrier Reef.

Hours of magic on the Great Barrier Reef

WHAT with work and the pressures of modern-day life, it's all too easy to forget to take some time out for a trip to this stunning region's world famous backyard, the pristine Great Barrier Reef.

Port Douglas break near perfect

ADELAIDE Lang and Whitney Robinson almost perfectly epitomise the "average" Port Douglas tourist.

Pictures: Port Douglas, north of Cairns

Cairns' best swimming spots

AS temperatures soar in Tropical North Queensland, take the plunge and explore the Cairns region's swimming spots.

Take a walk through Port Douglas history

Flagstaff Hill, Port Douglas

TAKE a walk through the seaside streets of Port Douglas for a chance to explore the town's best loved sights and fascinating history.

Pictures: Port Douglas, north of Cairns

Bird is the word

HOME to the incredible, endangered cassowary and about 450 species of birds, the Cairns region is a birdwatcher's dream.

Pictures: Weekender Wildlife Competition BIRDS

Cairns film festival gets adrenaline pumping

THE best of the Cairns region's natural wonders and adventure activities will be showcased on screen in an upcoming film festival.

great barrier reef

10 incredible FNQ facts

THE biggest, the longest, the highest, the smallest, the wettest: Far North Queensland is home to awe-inspiring wonders.

Top ten rainforest views

Staying in a treehouse is a popular way to experience the rainforest up close.

TAKE a drive from Cairns and you'll most likely end up in or near the region's magnificent rainforest.

Cairns swim and spa package from $99

Spa, swim, lunch and laze the day away ... Rydges Tradewinds ushers in the new year in Cairns with a tantalising package combining the best of its resort and lifestyle facilities.

Win a romantic Port Douglas escape

Whether you're after a romantic hideaway or a family-friendly spot to while away a lazy weekend, Rydges Sabaya Port Douglas seems to have all the bases covered.

Pictures: Port Douglas, north of Cairns

Wet and wild Cairns holiday deal

TO celebrate the onset of the wet season in Cairns, the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino is offering a Wet Wet Wet water-themed holiday package.

Pictures: Cairns white water rafting

Cairns wet weather holiday activities

Barron Falls at Kuranda

WET weather is part of life in the tropics, but it doesn't have to ruin your holiday in Cairns. Here's a few rainy day ideas to get you started...

Pictures: Cairns' amazing weather

Rave reviews for Mai Tai Resort

AN exclusive boutique hotel in the Port Douglas hinterland has won three top 10 awards by the global hotel review website tripadvisor.com.

Cool waters of Lake Eacham

Lake Eacham

The cool waters of Lake Eacham, on the Atherton Tablelands west of Cairns, are a popular swimming and picnic spot for locals and tourists alike.

Cairns' The Lakes voted top-10

THE Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa has been named one of the Top 10 places for families to stay in the South Pacific for the second year in a row.

Pictures: Cairns City

Cairns hotel rooms on sale

CAIRNS visitors can save up to 30 per cent on accommodation under an "Australia on Sale" campaign - but there's only a week left to book.

Pictures: Cairns City

Cairns Sharehouse helps travellers find jobs

A CAIRNS travel accommodation business has appointed a job support officer to help students and working holiday-makers find jobs in Cairns.

The Bama Way earns 'champion' status

A FAR North Queensland Aboriginal culture tour group has been recognised as one of Australia's top 20 indigenous tourism experiences.

Win the best holiday in the world in Cairns

HERE'S your chance to help win the best holiday in the world - a trip to Tropical North Queensland - while you help save the rainforest.

Pictures: Rainforest in the Cairns region

Step back in time at Cairns Museum

WHY not bring the kids into the Cairns Museum and explore the history, characters and cultures of Cairns?

Pictures: Around Cairns

Beyonce's sister blogs about Far North

<strong>Celebrity blogger:</strong> American pop icon Solange Knowles, the sister of Destiny's Child singing sensation Beyonce, has made a whirlwind trip to the Far North and loved it.

AMERICAN pop icon Solange Knowles, the sister of Destiny's Child singing sensation Beyonce, has made a whirlwind trip to the Far North and loved it.

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Pictures: Great Barrier Reef, near Cairns

Tropical tranquillity at Rydges Sabaya

JUST one hour's drive north of Cairns, Rydges Sabaya Resort Port Douglas is a tranquil oasis set among tropical landscaped gardens and winding lily-filled water features.

Pictures: Port Douglas, north of Cairns

Hello, Gallo, what a treat!

A SHORT drive from Yungaburra, Atherton or Malanda, Gallo Dairyland is an attraction that will make any visit to the Atherton Tablelands complete.

Pictures: Atherton Tableland, west of Cairns

Kuranda Scenic Railway an engineering feat

THE original Kuranda Scenic Railway is a spectacular journey comprising unsurpassed views of dense rainforest, steep ravines and picturesque waterfalls within the World Heritage-listed Barron Gorge National Park.

Pictures: Rainforest in the Cairns region

Port Douglas and Palm Cove: How to choose?

THEY both boast an award-winning beach, some of Australia's best restaurants and a string of luxury accommodation, so what is it that makes the tropical towns of Palm Cove and Port Douglas stand apart?

Pictures: Port Douglas, north of Cairns

Romance at Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas

SHERATON Mirage Port Douglas is the perfect location to slip away together.

Pictures: Port Douglas, north of Cairns

Skyrail's stunning views

WITHOUT a doubt, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway provides the best views in town.

Mission accomplished

IT'S hard work taking in the best views of two World Heritage-listed regions without leaving the deck chair, but someone's got to do it.

Pictures: Mission Beach, south of Cairns

Slice of paradise on the Atherton Tableland

ESCAPE the rat race and the heat. Head for Chilverton Cottages and fine dining.

Pictures: Atherton Tableland, west of Cairns

Chill out by the lake at Jungle Jacks

JUNGLE Jacks Boathouse is a great place for the whole family.

Cape Tribulation rainforest lodge getaway

ESCAPE, relax and refresh at Ferntree Rainforest Lodge at Cape Tribulation in the Daintree Rainforest.

Hilton Cairns offers five-star style

AS THE first five-star hotel to be built in Tropical North Queensland, Hilton Cairns stands proud as an iconic piece of local culture.

Cairns white water rafting action

RAPIDS called the Butcher's Knife, Mother-in-Law, Hell's Gate and Cheese Churn might scare some people off - but not this lot.

Pictures: Cairns white water rafting

Four of Cairns' best coffee shops

HERE'S four top picks in the Cairns CBD to satisfy a coffee connoisseur's caffeine cravings.

Sebel Cairns is Queensland's most popular hotel

A CAIRNS hotel has edged out competition from across the state as the most popular place to stay, according to new figures.

Pictures: Cairns City

Go west at the Australian Muster Experience

THE wild, wild west is right here in the Far North, writes Julianna Kerr...

Cairns ready to celebrate New Year's Eve

CAIRNS Esplanade will resonate with New Year's Eve revelry while skies overhead are alight with spectacular fireworks displays.

Pictures: New Year's Eve 2009

Cairns rooftop wet bar to open

A CHIC new inner-city hangout is about to open in Cairns: LILO ... A Wet Bar.

Pictures: Cairns Bikini Babes

Crystal Caves not just a rock shop

"Not just a rock shop" is the catchphrase of a little gem of a tourist attraction on the Atherton Tablelands.

Cairns caravan park's multi-million dollar splash

CAIRNS Coconut Holiday Resort is making a million-dollar Christmas splash today, opening a colourful waterpark unlike any other in a southern hemisphere caravan park.

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Pictures: Cairns cools off

Lake Tinaroo is a must-visit

You can't make a trip to the Atherton Tablelands without visiting Lake Tinaroo, but have you ever considered staying right by the water?

Photo Galleries

check out the breathtaking destinations you’ll be visiting including... the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, the Outback, beaches, Port Douglas, Cairns City, Mission Beach