If you are unable to dive, then the best way to get up close and personal with the Great Barrier Reef is to don your snorkelling gear.
Dining out on Dunk
Dunk Island is a picturesque tropical island located directly off the coast of Mission Beach. more
Private villa with personal service
Have a fantastic time with a bunch of your favourite people when you splash out on a private villa at Sea Temple Resort in Port Douglas, north of Cairns. more
Untouched wilderness
The rugged wilderness of Cape York is a great drawcard for those who like to stray off the beaten track. more
Take a break in paradise
Find your own slice of paradise at Port Douglas, one of the region's most popular luxury tourism options. more
Catering to your every (gourmet) need
Got a bunch of friends together? Are you looking for something special to do for a birthday, wedding, 50th Anniversary? Then head to Port Douglas, north of Cairns, and organise a gourmet indulgence for your special occasion. more
Sky high safari
Enjoy the Cairns region from up on high when you jump into a helicopter with the guys from Skysafari, Port Douglas more
Taking a dip on the Tablelands
The beautiful lakes, rivers and waterfalls of the Atherton Tableland region are the place to play now that winter is gone and the hot weather has started again. more
Mossman Gorge
Mossman Gorge is one of the most visited tourist sites in the Cairns region, with nearly 500,000 visitors annually. more
Freedom is in the spirit
SPIRIT OF FREEDOM is a first class live-aboard dive vessel providing 3, 4, and 7 day dive tours to the far northern Great Barrier Reef and Australia's remote Coral Sea reefs. more
Paronella Park, south of Cairns
Paronella Park at Mena Creek, near Innisfail, is one of the region's more eclectic tourist offerings. more
Secret treaures in Babinda
On first glance the small town of Babinda, south of Cairns, may to be nothing more than a sugar mill, pub and a few houses. If you look a bit deeper into the area, you will discover it contains some of the region's most special treasures. more
Feeding the birds
The Cairns region has a number of rare and exotric birds and is a perfect haven for birdwatchers and other nature lovers. more
They just keep coming!
The Weekender Wildlife competition has been a resounding success, with over a thousand entries submitted so far. more
No worries cassowary
Sal Badcock from Mission Beach got this snap of "Raider", the massive flightless cassowary bird in his backyard for our Weekender Wildlife competition. more
Romantic island getaways
The Cairns region has numerous island paradises that make perfect romantic weekend getaways for couples looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. more
Fragile Ecosystem
The Daintree River is an ancient ecosystem, complete with a diverse range of native flora and fauna not found in any other part of Australia or the world. more
Mount Mulligan
The rugged rocky cliffs of Mount Mulligan provide a sharp contrast between the reefs and rainforests that Cairns is best known for. more
Time running out on Weekender Wildlife competition
Dwarf Minke Whales are beautiful, curious and playful whales that visit the Reef between Cairns and Lizard Island in June and July every year, like the one in this picture from reader Helen Robertson from Yorkey's Knob for our Weekender Wildlife Photography Competition. more
Eco friendly power
The Windy Hills Wind Farm near Ravenshoe is an example of alternative, eco-friendly energy sources being utilised in Far North Queensland. more
Treasure in the rainforest
Lake Barrine is a beautiful natural lake nestled among World Heritage rainforest on the Atherton Tablelands. more
Small village a big attraction
Discover the delights of Daintree Village - a great base for a rainforest holiday. more
Piece of history
The historical township of Cooktown is the gateway to the spectacular wilderness of Cape York. more
Scenic reef flight
VDS Aviation's new Sunset Champagne Flight offers locals and visitors alike the opportunity to witness the splendour of the Great Barrier Reef and the northern beaches of Cairns from the air. more
Mossman's home-style feast
I've been thinking about Maude's pumpkin scones since I got in the car. Now that we've arrived at the Saturday Mossman markets, I can hardly wait. Will they still be hot? She serves them wrapped in a gingham checked tea-towel, warm from the oven. more
Cruise into a Cairns sunset
It's the perfect way to start a night out in Cairns whether you're a local or a visitor. The Sunset Cruise is pre-dinner drinks with the added bonus of cruising Trinity Inlet. more
Journey to Kuranda in style
If you prefer the finer things in life the Kuranda Scenic Railway's Gold Class carriage is the perfect way for you to enjoy Cairns' remarkable outer rainforest, ravines and waterfalls. more
Explore the Great Barrier Reef
I always wondered what it would be like to discover my own uninhabited island. more
Making nothing fun
While there are thousands of things to do in the Cairns region while on holidays, there is one other option - do nothing at all! more
Keeping fit in paradise
Keeping healthy and fit is not hard in the Cairns region, with agreeable weather most of the year and many picturesque locations to go for a run, ride or walk. more
Epic view
This is the view you'll get if you take time to make a stopover at Rex Lookout, on the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Port Douglas. more
Relaxation capital of Australia
Many tourists choose busy schedules when the visit the Cairns region, trying to fit in everything before they leave. But for a lot of people, they come to Cairns for a great place to just relax and unwind.
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4WD the Cape
Cape York is filled with wide open spaces and special spots that are only reachable by 4WD. more
Northern delight
Port Douglas is one of the region's premier luxury tourist destinations and has some of the most sought-after real estate as well. more
City of flowers
Cairns is known as a city of flowers, with spectacular blooms such as these pink frangipanis, a regular sight in Cairns' streets and parks. more
Port of call
The city of Cairns is a favourite port of call for cruise liners as they make their way up the East Coast of Australia. more
Outdoor dining delights
The Cairns region boasts some of the best outdoor dining options in the country. more
Inspired location
Just two hours south of Cairns, Port Hinchinbrook, with its stunning surrounds and views of Hinchinbrook Island, is becoming a popular getaway location. more
Lighthouse earns heritage honour
LOW Isles and its 130-year-old lighthouse that sit amongst coral reef about 15km off Port Douglas have been formally registered on Australia's heritage list. more
Sydneysiders head to Cairns
Cairns was a popular escape for Sydneysiders who were not as keen to see the Pope as the Catholic pilgrims. more
Garden of Eden
In the shadow of looming mountains on what was once weed-choked pasture, an Eden bursting with exotic fruit, flowers and fauna now flourishes. more
Memorable Cooktown
The pioneering town of Cooktown is an important part of Australian history and the gateway to the Cape York Peninsula. more
A whale of a time
The waters around Cairns and Port Douglas offer great whale watching opportunities, and whale season is fast approaching. more
Rainforestation
At the award-winning Rainforestation Nature Park, you'll get to experience indigenous culture, Australian native wildlife and World Heritage listed rainforest all on one site. more
Body, Mind & Soul market day at Tanks
The Body Mind & Soul Market Day at Tanks Arts Centre is a host of entertaining stalls, information sessions and workshops to help keep you healthy inside and out. more
Wildlife adventures
The best of Australia's native flora and fauna is on display in one of the region's premier tourist parks. more
Cairns city hotel announces major upgrade
General Manager of Rydges Plaza Cairns, Scott Lynch, announced the first stage of an extensive upgrade for the 101 room hotel valued at $1.2 million will commence later this month more
Cairns Colonial Club Resort's new-look rooms
Cairns Colonial Club Resort room refurbishment is now complete and sets a new standard for the Cairns resort more
Recording memories
No longer must you rely on Reef shots by the professionals, Kate Richards reports. more
More please?
Immerse yourself in the source of great taste with the Complete Skybury tour experience. more
Cairns Beaches
Along with more popular tourist destinations like Palm Cove and Port Douglas, Cairns has some amazing beaches that are only minutes drive from the CBD. more
Cairns' first golf course apartments
Paradise Palms Resort & Country Club's first residential apartments are now complete more
Win a 2-day conference at Mission Beach
Castaways Resort on Mission Beach is giving away a two-day residential conference to celebrate the opening of its new state-of-the-art conference and events venue called 'Beaches' in July. more
Complete sanctuary
For the ultimate luxurious escape, find out how the other half live at Bale at Port Douglas. more
Skyrail over the rainforest
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is one of the region's best known tourist attractions. more
Lake Tinaroo
Tinaroo Dam on the Atherton Tablelands is one of Cairns' favourite weekend camping spots. more
Country comforts
Decadent desserts, rich coffee, a large spa for two and plush decor are all yours at Barking Owl Retreat near Tinaroo Lake on the Cairns Highlands. more
Bedarra Island
Bedarra Island is part of the Family Island group, located midway between Townsville and Cairns. more
Nerada Tea Plantation
Nerada Tea Plantation on the tablelands has a long history dating back to the 1880s. more
Exotic & delicious destination
The Cape Tribulation Exotic Fruit Farm presents a delicious way to sample unusual exotic tropical fruits. more
Serene dining
A world away from Cairns and its northern beaches, Kuranda has forest feasting at its best more
Mesmerised by the reef
Diving the Great Barrier Reef is always fun but when the conditions are just perfect there are few places to witness such majesty more
Discover Kuranda
Known as the village in the rainforest, Kuranda has a wealth of nature-based attractions, art, culture and shopping to enjoy. more
Easy Eden
Unsurpassed luxury can be found at the historic homestead of Eden House on the Atherton Tablelands. more
Flight of fancy
A childhood dream of flying a helicopter comes true with the 'You Fly' Ultimate Heli-Flight. more
No rush
An historic mining town sees another boom as visitors flock to the Outback village of Chillagoe. more
