What to expect in Far North Queensland
In this post we will cover our journey through Far North Queensland from charters towers to Port Douglas.
When we left Charters we headed straight east towards Townsville. It wasn’t a massive drive, only 136km drive. We were excited to be by the ocean again. We had left Melbourne in the early part of May and hadn’t seen the ocean in 6 weeks.
Townsville
We had decided to stay at Townsville tourist and Lifestyle Village. Located just off the A1, it was a great spot for getting around town. Again, as we were travelling with Tilly we didn’t have a massive choice of dog friendly parks but this one is a great park. The sites are a good size, the amenities very new and clean and good walks for Tilly.
For more info and bookings http://www.townsvilletouristvillage.com.au
Whilst in Townsville we had decided to get Tilly vaccinated for Leptospirosis, a tropical disease that can be fatal if not protected against. We will talk further about Tilly’s health requirements in another post, but this is something you should look into if you’re travelling with your furry companion.
The sights
Over the years Townsville has had massive rejuvenation, thanks to the mining and military presence in the town. One of our favourite spots was the strand, an endless boulevard lined with cafes, parks and hotels.
If you’re a fan of Gelato, we would definitely recommend a stop at Juliette’s gelateria on the strand. We had an ice cream from here one day and it was amazing.
The town itself has everything you’d need for a stopover. With various shopping centres dotted around the town, nothing is ever too far away.
A great lookout to visit is Castle Hill. Access can be gained by either road from Stanley street or I believe you can hike up from Hillside crescent. We opted for the drive as we had Tilly with us. The views from the top of this monolith are amazing. Sitting 286m above sea level, you have views to the city below and magnetic island in the coral sea.
We also enjoyed the botanical gardens in Townsville, only a short drive from the caravan park, it was a change of scenery for Tilly. The gardens are divided into different areas of layout and species. There are 4 areas to discover, Anderson Gardens, Palmetum, Queens gardens and Dan Gleeson gardens. All offering a unique array of parkland, plants and wildlife. This is a great teaser of what Far North Queensland has to offer.
Rollingstone
Only 60km north of Townsville, Rollingstone is the point where you really feel you’re entering Far North Queensland.
Our next stop was the Big4 park at Rollingstone. This is a dog friendly park, however not all the park is dog friendly. With a small percentage of sites allocated for your four legged mates, you’re made to feel welcome. You don’t feel like you’re being penalised for travelling with your pet, and the bonus is the dog friendly sites are front line, ocean front blocks. We were extremely happy with this, and there are various walks available around the park or along the beach for walking your dog. Just be aware of the crocodiles, you are now in croc territory.
There is a few things to see in the area. Firstly we headed over to Frosty Mango for anything mango related. Located on the A1, you can’t miss the big mango waving at you as you head North. We had the passion fruit and mango cheesecake with a pot of tea, Yum!
Paluma State Forest
After our morning tea we headed for a drive into the Paluma State Forest. We had looked on wikicamps of what do in the area and there were a few lookouts and waterfalls to visit. As it had been dry for a few months we weren’t sure how good the waterfalls would be so did a bit of research to what could possibly be the best and headed out. We had a 500m walk through the rainforest before finally arriving at Birthday Creek Falls.
There was still a good flow of water but we can imagine at the end of the wet season it would be immense. If you follow the track down to the bottom there are pools for swimming. We didn’t opt for that but it’s an option if you want to spend an extended period of time.
On the drive back, there are a few vantage points to grab a picture down towards the coast and across the ranges.
Cardwell
Our next stop was Cardwell. We stayed at Cardwell Beachcomber tourist park. The location of the park was great, right on the waterfront, however the park is tired and in need of some tlc.
Tilly enjoyed her walks each day along the coastal path with views out to Hinchbrook Island.
We did head into Cardwell state forest, but everything was dry. The pools were empty and the creeks looked like they haven’t seen water in a while. We were there in June, so the wet season had been over for a couple of months, but there wasn’t a drop of water in sight.
Mission beach
This was one stop we were looking forward to. Mission Beach sits halfway between Townsville and Cairns. Made up of South Mission Beach, Wongaling Beach, North Mission Beach and Bingil Bay. It’s also the point where the Great Barrier Reef meets the rainforest of far north tropical Queensland.
The town is known for its art and cultural scene, sitting against the green backdrop of Djiru National Park. Offering various levels of accommodation from caravan parks through to five star luxury resorts. There are also plenty of rain forest retreats if you want quiet contemplation.
From Mission Beach you can hop in a water taxi over to Dunk Island. One of Australia’s most beautiful islands with pristine turquoise waters and white sandy beaches set amongst lush rainforest, its the perfect way to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and just chill out.
We stayed at Dunk Island View Caravan Park at Wongaling Beach. This is a great caravan park, straight across the road from the beach. More epic walks for Tilly. The park has great big sites, extremely well manicured grounds and amazingly clean amenities. Probably one of our favourite parks in far north Queensland.
for more info http://www.dunkislandviewcaravanpark.com
The sights
We headed into the Djiru National Park and did a walk through the rainforest. We were also hoping to see the famous Cassowaries, however they eluded us again. The rainforest walk was beautiful, with all the native fauna and towering timbers and creek crossings, there is plenty to see. There are different levels of walks available to take in the National Park. We did the Lacey Creek walk, its 1.5km return and easy for most, with a few steps here and there but no rugged terrain.
We also had a drive north of Mission Beach to Bingil Bay, a beautiful stop to see one world heritage site meet another. The Beach is flanked by the lush green rainforest to the west and the Great Barrier Reef to the east. With the palms gently swaying in the light breeze, it certainly is paradise found.
Mission Beach has a Sunday Market which is worth a visit. Held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, located in mission beach itself along the beachfront. The stall holders sell a variety of local fare, from fruit and vegetables, freshly prepared foods and snacks, clothing, jewellery, arts and crafts. Its always a buzz with locals and tourists alike.
Cairns
Having been to Cairns so many times previously, but never for an extended period of time, we were looking forward to a bit of down time. We have a few friends who live in the area, so our time would be a mix of catching up with these guys and seeing the local sights we hadn’t visited before.
Our chosen caravan park was Cool Waters in Brinsmead, again we needed a dog friendly park and this one was fantastic. We got the best site on park in our opinion, located right at the back of the park with direct access to the parklands out the back, great for Tilly. It was set on a private lane way, there was only 3 vans in this area and ours was completely private with views down to the river below. The pathway down the back led to a great park with an on leash and off leash dog area. With a pathway set amongst the creek and sugar canes of tropical North Queensland, it was such a great spot.
for more information and bookings http://www.coolwatersholidaypark.com.au
The park is also in a great spot for access into Cairns and surrounds. With only a 10 minute drive into Cairns CBD, 10 minutes to Smithfield and Trinity beach and 20 minutes to Palm Cove, its a great location in Cairns.
Foodie heaven
Cairns itself is a great city to have a stroll around, with a vast array of shops and restaurants. There is a huge Asian food influence with many Asian inspired cafes and restaurants dotted around town. Also having the Great Barrier Reef on the doorstep allows a lot of restaurants to have great selection of seafood dishes available on their menus.
If markets are your thing, then Rusty’s is the place to visit. 180 market stalls fill this mall on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Offering up the best local produce that Far North Queensland has to offer. With vendors selling anything from freshly baked bread, seafood, dairy products, exotic fruits, Vegetables, international delights and delicatessen fare. Running alongside food and beverage stalls so you can grab a coffee and a tasty treat.
The markets open
- Friday 5am-6pm
- Saturday 5am-6pm
- Sunday 5am-3pm
The esplanade in Cairns has a lovely walk. At the southern end of Cairns, is the marina and harbour. Cairns is a cruise ship destination and it’s here where the cruise ships dock. As you leave the marina area and head north, you can follow the coastal path along the foreshore and walk for miles.
Sky rail
Cairns has the epic sky rail, joining Smithfield at the bottom to the Kuranda at the top of the ranges. With 2 stations in the middle to explore, its a great day out. The gondolas offer a 360 degree view across the ranges, with the worlds oldest rainforest below and coral sea in the distance.
Red peak station immerses you beneath the canopy of the rainforest, explore the boardwalks and lookouts, before heading onto your next stop. Barron Falls is set in Barron Gorge National Park. This thundering waterfall would be spectacular in the wet season, unfortunately when we visited it didn’t have the same power, however the views were still great.
Lastly you’ll arrive at Kuranda, a picturesque mountain village. It has a very alternate feel in town, a lot of the shops cater for the artisan market. Lots of handmade sculptures, decorative art, jewellery and clothing. Kuranda is also home to the famous Kuranda markets which are open every Sunday.
for more info on the sky rail please visit http://www.skyrail.com.au
The Great Barrier Reef
Cairns is an ideal place to hop on to a boat and explore everything the Great Barrier Reef has to offer. There is are several operators offering cruises out onto the reef, to swim, snorkel or dive until your hearts content.
The reef spans an area of 344,400 square kilometres, made up of 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. The world heritage site is home to a vast array of marine life, in beautiful turquoise waters.
Local beaches
North of Cairns, you’ll be greeted by picture perfect beaches. In between the various inlets that divide the northern suburbs of Cairns, there are various coastal communities. Machans and Holloways beaches have breezy coastal walks with a cafe or two along the way. Then further north you have Trinity Beach, with several shops, cafes and resorts.
Palm cove
One of our absolute favourite places in this region is Palm Cove. The only park in Palm Cove is the nrma park, the new hosts are a lovely young couple and nothing is too much trouble. Located at the northern end of town, its a perfect walk to the other end of town with Tilly along the coastal path, with plenty of other dogs to meet along the way. This park is usually booked months in advance so you would need to book ahead. We were lucky enough that someone had cancelled their booking and the dates worked for us.
For more information http://www.nrmaparksandresorts.com.au/palm-cove/
The front at Palm Cove is made up of shops and resorts with cafes and restaurants dotted amongst the hotels. We ventured out for dinner a couple of times and can highly recommend either vivo or chill cafe. Both offer great food and service, with views out to the ocean.
We wanted to have a few days in Port Douglas, however there was no room at any dog friendly caravan parks up there. It’s the kind of place that unless you make your reservation 12 months prior you haven’t got a chance of getting a booking.
We day tripped up from Palm Cove and spent a few of hours sightseeing the area. There is a great lookout is on Flagstaff Hill, with views down the coast and across the beach. The high street is lovely to walk along also, like other coastal towns it has a wide variety of cafes, shops and resorts.
The tablelands
From Smithfield, you climb the Macalister Range towards Kuranda. From here, head towards Mareeba. As you reach the peak of the ranges, they really flatten out. The air is definitely cooler and cleaner on the tablelands than the coast below. The roads meander through quaint little villages, each with their individual charm.
Atherton is the main town on the ranges, with a good selection of shops to keep you stocked whilst you explore the area. We based ourselves at the Big4 Atherton tourist park. A quiet park just out of town, with good size sites and good amenities.
Exploring the tablelands
Made up of National parks and state forests, you could spend months exploring and not see everything. With the time we had, we picked what we wanted to see.
We had been recommended to visit Lake Barrine, located in Crater Lakes National Park. Formed after volcanic eruptions some 17,000 years ago, leaving craters which have filled with water over time.
There is a tearoom at the lake, with views out across the lake. From here you can take boat ride around the lake with guided commentary.
Our next stop was Yungaburra. Another quaint settlement with many heritage listed buildings. Set on the edge of Lake Tinaroo, which is a popular spot for water sports and camping. The village itself has a few cafes and the Yungaburra hotel . In 2013 a war memorial was completed for soldiers lost with an Avenue of Honour.
Another place to visit whilst on the tablelands is the Nerada Tea Plantation. When at the plantation you can learn the history of Nerada, whilst also enjoying a Devonshire tea.
Gallos Dairy is also worth a visit for any cheese lovers out there. On arrival there is a large refrigerated area, with lots of different cheese and dairy products to try. If you’re after something more substantial there is also an on-site cafe.
Where next
In our next post we will cover central Queensland. Before finishing with south East Queensland.