From exploring the Daintree Rainforest to boutique beachfront resorts, Outlook Recommends the best things to do in Tropical North Queensland.
Eat:
FOR AN ICONIC WATERFRONT VENUE…
Salt House is Cairns’ most notorious and glorious spot to indulge in a true taste of luxury. With impressive views spanning the waterfront and Marina Point, it’s the perfect destination to enjoy and embrace the location whilst indulging in signature cocktails and perusing the extensive wine and champagne menus.
Spend a leisurely-paced afternoon sipping into the sunset with one of Salt House’s signature cocktails or grab a light bite to share with friends and bask in the beauty of your surroundings.
Aside from its extensive cocktail list, Salt House has one of the largest backyard bars in Cairns with dedicated gin, vodka, tequila, mezcal, rum, and whisky menus.
Seating up to 20 guests, the private dining room is perfect for intimate family dinners, board and business meetings, or exclusive events.
From canapés to food stations and sit-down meals, let your vision come to life with unsurpassed views of the Cairns Marina and Trinity Inlet.
Salt House continually supports and seeks out local growers and producers to champion its menu, highlighting the incredible produce that Tropical North Queensland has to offer. The kitchen is centred around a custom-built Argentinian wood-fired grill, with local seafood also playing its part.
Additionally, Salt House Pizzeria is the newest addition, located at the front of the venue, boasting traditional Italian pizzas and tapas baked in an authentic brick pizza oven.
The Salt House experience is one that is truly unique.
Do:
FOR A JOURNEY TO DISCOVER NATURAL CRYSTALS AND PREHISTORIC FOSSILS…
FOR A TRUE ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCE…
FOR UNFORGETTABLE ECO-ADVENTURES…
Back Country Bliss Adventures has been creating unforgettable eco-adventures in Tropical North Queensland since 2004.
The incredible tours promise to immerse explorers in the beauty of the Mossman River and Daintree Rainforest, blending adventure with a deep respect for nature and sustainability.
The signature river drift experience, a first-of-its-kind in Australia, takes you on a diverse journey through the rainforest.
FOR CAIRNS’ PREMIER GREAT BARRIER REEF AND ISLAND TOURS…
Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom represent two highly guest-focused, small group, eco-accredited snorkel and scuba dive reef tours locally owned and passionately operated by Perry Jones and Taryn Agius and their wonderful team.
Ocean Freedom gives guests six unrushed hours to explore two stunning reef destinations, whilst Ocean Free offers a magical sail, reef, and island experience.
FOR TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND’S BEST ATTRACTIONS…
For Cairns and Port Douglas trips and attractions, CaPTA Group operates interactive wildlife parks, tours, and attractions in the stunning Tropical North Queensland region.
Locally owned and operated by the Woodward family, the group comprises several wildlife, nature attractions, and touring companies.
The group is dedicated to sustainable practices that protect and preserve its operating areas, whilst respecting heritage and traditional values to ensure long-term viability for both the group and the surrounding communities.
CaPTA currently employs over 200 staff across the group, which consists of the Rainforestation Nature Park, Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Wildlife Habitat, Cairns Koalas & Creatures, and Tropic Wings Cairns Tours & Charters.
FOR AN EPIC ESCAPE FROM THE ORDINARY…
Cape York Motorcycle Adventures invites you to explore a breathtaking terrain of remote country, ranging from tropical rainforest to sandy beaches.
Thrill-seeking off-road motorcyclists will be surprised and delighted by an array of challenging dirt bike trails designed specifically for various skill levels.
Family-owned and operated since 1990, the company has been leading riders through the wild and unforgettable landscapes of Tropical North Queensland for over 35 years.
Founded by Roy and Renae Kunda, and now guided by the next generation, Cape York Motorcycle Adventures combines local knowledge, expert guidance, and true outback hospitality to deliver bucket-list rides like no other – from Cape York to Darwin and everything in between.
With a passionate crew, top-quality bikes, and unmatched access to the Cape, the company is proud to offer safe, unforgettable motorcycle adventures for all.
Cape York is a hub for most of the company’s dirt bike adventure tours. Described as ‘one of the last of the great wild places on Earth’, the peninsula represents a landscape that is as diverse as the people who live on it.
If abundant fishing, epic dirt biking, and warm hospitality is something you like the sound of, this is your chance to experience a real taste of the Outback.
Cape York Motorcycle Adventures was the world’s first motorcycle tour company to be eco-certified in the country through Ecotourism Australia, and the company has maintained certification since 2006.
Its focus is to allow guests to experience the wilderness areas of Cape York and foster environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation, and conservation.
Sleep:
FOR BEACHFRONT BLISS…
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas is positioned directly on the famous Four Mile Beach and is the perfect stepping-off point to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.
Famous for the two hectares (ha) of palm-fringed, lagoon-style pools filled with water from the ocean, guests can float the day away, relax in a private poolside cabana, or swim up to the pool bar.
FOR A PICTURESQUE ESCAPE…
Melaleuca Resort immerses you in beauty and serenity at a boutique beachfront resort surrounded by swaying palms, scintillating scenery, and tropical gardens.
Ideally located in the beachside town of Palm Cove and just steps from the ocean, the self-contained, one-bedroom apartments offer stunning views, relaxed comfort, and everything you could possibly need for the perfect getaway.
FOR AN ESCAPE FROM THE CHAOS…
Rossville Retreat enchants guests to connect with nature, abundant wildlife, and the shining stars above. Situated at the base of the Cape York Peninsula, the retreat is perfectly located on the Bloomfield Track, 70 kilometres (km) north of Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest.
Immerse yourself in nature and culture in private, eco-friendly lodges or unpowered camp sites, or participate in an Indigenous-guided bush tour with resident world-renowned bush medicine expert, Mooks.
Set in the bush backing on to the Little Annan Gorge, Rossville Retreat offers a riverside picnic area, private airstrip, and bush walks, all overlooked by magical Black Mountain, only 20 minutes from Cooktown and 2 km from the iconic Lion’s Den Hotel.
Rossville Retreat is an eco-friendly tourism business that uses ecologically sustainable practices in order to be awarded an Ecotourism Australia accreditation.
The 12 lodges are built in the bush alongside their private airstrip and each sit on a raised platform, maximising the sea breeze.
They have environmentally sustainable wastewater management systems and are powered by solar energy, giving the lodges zero carbon energy emissions.
Rossville Retreat has grown into a community hub where people from all different walks of life come together to expand their awareness and acceptance of one another.
The retreat is on a mission to encourage Indigenous skills development, employment, and business creation, which will ensure Indigenous tourism is driven by a workforce that generates sustainable socioeconomic outcomes for First Nations individuals, their families, and their communities.
