Travel Stories

AN up-close experience with a dugong and a blissful retreat that has also hosted a superstar convince DIANA PLATER that Mission Beach is something special.

Pictures: Weekender Wildlife Competition

DESPERATE Housewives actress Teri Hatcher has made a flying visit to Port Douglas, north of Cairns, and loved it so much she is already planning her return.

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' Farmgate Market at The Pier shopping centre is a huge hit with weekend shoppers.

Pictures: Cairns Farmers' Market

A CONFIRMED sighting of albino humpback whale Migaloo south of Byron Bay yesterday has raised hopes he will return to Far Northern waters for the first time since 2007.

Pictures: Migaloo the White Whale near Cairns

THIS luxury resort values its guests so much that it asked them to design its $8 million facelift.

CAIRNS tourism operators have launched a winning way to enjoy the best of the region's adventure attractions.

THE chefs of Tropical North Queensland are renowned for producing varied menus from the freshest seafood, produce fruits and vegetables.

The mighty Daintree River is the gateway to the lush, world-heritage listed rainforests of the Daintree National Park.

WITH incredible scenery, adventure activities galore and a huge choice of affordable accommodation, Cairns is a backpackers' paradise.

THE beautiful tropical butterflies and rainforest at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary near Cairns provided a wonderful setting for a marriage proposal.

A NEW book takes a look back through time at the work of pioneer coffee farmers in Far North Queensland.

THE Undara Lava Tubes were formed some 190,000 years ago when a major volcano in the McBride volcanic province erupted, its molten lava flowing down a dry river bed.

GUESTS at the luxury Voyages Lizard Island resort are more than happy with the service they get when they stay on the remote island.  

A BEST Job in the World candidate, given an all expenses paid trip to the Far North, has sent out a warning to Cairns women -- I'm single and here to mingle.

Pictures: World's Best Job finalists in Cairns

HINCHINBROOK Island is Australia's largest island National Park that abounds in palm-fringed beaches, mangrove waterways and rugged granite cliffs.

A SINGAPORE-based American and a Queenslander with a taste for travel have arrived in the Far North on a mission for fun.

THE locals will tell you Cooktown was Australia's first tourist resort. And they're right, if Lieutenant James Cook and his crew count as the first tourists.

THE Cairns region is well known for its man-eating crocodiles, but this little reptilian relative is fitting right in at the Johnstone River Crocodile Farm.

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THE Cairns region is home to a number of indigenous groups who graciously offer visitors an insight into their culture.

ALL the traditional excitement and extravagence of the circus is in town. The Great Moscow Circus has put up its big top in Cairns.

Pictures: Moscow Circus in Cairns

WHETHER it's in a church, on a picturesque beach or at one of the region's many stunning resorts, Cairns is one of Australia's most popular wedding destinations.

Pictures: Cairns Weddings

IF you want to catch a great movie in beautiful outdoor surroundings, head to Cairns' Flecker Botanic Gardens

THE Cairns region offers huge variety of fun activities and this Sunday, families have a chance to come and try at the Subway Cairns Festival of Sport.

THE Great Barrier Reef is in the running to be named one of the New Seven Wonders of the world - but time is running out to vote for the Far North Queensland treasure.

Pictures: Great Barrier Reef, near Cairns

THE Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival kicks off on Friday, showcasing 500 local, national and international performers.

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WINTER in Tropical North Queensland is pure paradise. The mild winter days in a tropical climate allowing holiday-makers to soak up the warmth of the sun without the discomfort of stifling humidity.

A GROUP of snorkellers took delight in the antics of a playful minke whale off Flynn Reef last week.

Pictures: Whales seen off Cairns

REPLICA Dutch sailing vessel Duyfken has arrived in Cairns and is preparing to get back to business after a month touring from Brisbane to Cooktown.

WHAT do Paul Roos, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Kylie Minogue have in common?

Pictures: Port Douglas, north of Cairns

WHACKY witches, leaping leprechauns and wayward cassowaries have helped to set a new Relay for Life fundraising record in Cairns.

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Pictures: Cairns Relay for Life 2009

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

Family getaways can be a touchy subject. However, if they are planned well they can work wonders for weary parents, and our family did just that with great success at the new Coconut Grove, Port Douglas.

A holiday in Cairns wouldn't be complete without getting up close and personal with the area's tropical flora.

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Despite being a cosmopolitan city, Cairns has many untouched beaches that are perfect to enjoy a romantic walk watching the sun go down.

THE Kuranda Scenic Railway has been recognised as an engineering feat worthy of icon status as part of Queensland's 150th birthday celebrations.

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Palm Cove's Angsana Resort and Spa offers the quintessential Tropical North Queensland holiday experience.

IT'S official: The Great Barrier Reef is Queensland's No.1 natural attraction.

Pictures: Great Barrier Reef, near Cairns

FOR a bird's eye view of the stunning Coral Sea, take a flying leap from Rex Lookout, north of Cairns.

THESE two Great Barrier Reef lovers are celebrating 30 years of helping others enjoy the World Heritage listed natural attraction.

Pictures: Great Barrier Reef, near Cairns