Far North Queensland is a coastal region in the north-east of the Australian state of Queensland.

Cities

• Cairns - visitor gateway and backpacker mecca to the north of Townsville
• Port Douglas - an hour north of Cairns are the beachfront resorts missing in Cairns
• Townsville - largest city and unofficial capital of North Queensland with about 160,000 people (including Thuringowa)

Towns

• Ayr
• Cardwell
• Cooktown - the oldest place settled by Europeans in Australia, though not continuously
• Karumba
• Kuranda - a short distance from cairns famed for its market and alternative lifestyles.
• Mapoon
• Palm Cove
• Proserpine
• Tully
• Yorkeys Knob

Other destinations

• Daintree National Park - to the north of Port Douglas, and accessible via a sealed road along the coast
• Great Barrier Reef
• Hinchinbrook Island
• Magnetic Island
• Paluma - southern Rainforest town close to Townsville.
• Undara Volcanic National Park - unique formation in the world
• Torres Strait Islands

Understand

Far North Queensland is the northernmost coastal and tropical region of Queensland.

Get around

Travelling around the North Queensland region is best accomplished by car. From Townsville heading North there are many picnic areas, swimming facilities, and national parks only accessible by car. An example of such places include Crystal Creek, Paluma, Mission Beach, as well as the northern beaches of Cairns. The Atherton Tablelands also becomes available for you to explore at your own rate.

Hire cars are readily available in both Townsville and Cairns, with one way hires available (sometimes with a substantial fee, so remember to make sure).

Roads are generally of good condition, with the Bruce Highway providing the primary link to North Queensland with access to the coastal towns. Some dirt roads do exist near particular attractions so checking your hire car insurance policy would be worth while.

Fuel is generally easy to come by along the highways. If driving between Townsville and Cairns and the many attractions in between, fuel is available at towns such as Ingham and Tully. Cash, credit card and bank cards are generally all accepted, and many of the fuel stations are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See

• Cape York Peninsula
• Crystal Cascades
• Daintree Rainforest
• Gulf Country
• Tablelands Region
• Wet Tropics of Queensland - a UNESCO World Heritage site

Stay safe

Saltwater Crocodiles are very common in certain portions of northern Queensland; the species general range extends from Rockhampton to the Torres Strait, along with the rest of northern Australia. Population sizes vary depending on the area, but it is wise to avoid swimming in any rivers or lagoons unless they are known to be safe (signposted for swimming). Read warning signs carefully.

In summer months (Oct-May) don't swim in the ocean or estuaries without a stinger suit. They especially inhabit in shallow water near beaches.