Few natural wonders delight travellers quite like the Great Barrier Reef. But there’s so much more to northern Queensland than the world’s largest living structure. To learn more about the region, we chatted with Katherine Cutler from Tourism Tropical North Queensland, who shared her expertise on this bucket list destination.
What’s your favourite place to visit?
Mossman Gorge, which is just a 15-minute drive from Port Douglas. It’s in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest and part of the UNESCO Natural World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics Rainforest.
What’s a great place to eat?
My favourite place to eat is Lunico Trattoria, a beachfront spot at Trinity Beach. It's a locally-run restaurant with a relaxed beach vibe that’s famous for its handmade pizzas and pastas.
What’s a unique way to explore?
Drifting in a hot air balloon over the Atherton Tablelands in Mareeba. The sunset over the fields is an unforgettable experience.
What’s a hidden gem?
The Great Barrier Reef’s Frankland Group National Park, 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Cairns. The guided snorkel tour at Normanby Island is a must, with so many varieties of colourful coral.
What’s a famous landmark that travellers shouldn’t miss?
The Undara Lava Tubes, which were formed by volcanic activity over 190,000 years ago.
When’s the best time to go?
November to December. It’s the season to taste delicious fresh produce, see coral spawning on the reef, and photograph Barron Falls at its peak.
What’s a common misconception?
Some people think that visiting the reef harms it. In fact, every visit contributes to its conservation through the Environmental Management Charge (EMC). You can even take part in coral nurture programs to support sustainability.
What’s a great place to stay?
Cape Tribulation, where two UNESCO Natural World Heritage areas sit side by side: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
What’s the best way to get around?
By bike, with great new routes everywhere from Cairns to Port Douglas. My favourite is the Cairns Esplanade, a beautiful 4 km (2.48 mi) ride along the waterfront with views that never get old.
Goway's Destination Specialists are experts at planning tailor-made trips to Cairns that incorporate the Great Barrier Reef and other natural landmarks. You can start planning your own globetrotting adventure by requesting a free quote.
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.
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