Trees icon

Daintree Rainforest

Dense tropical rainforest full of epic wildlife

Vector art of a fish drawn in bold, gold line art

Great Barrier Reef

Snorkel or dive in the world's largest coral reef

Gold sun icon

Fitzroy Island

Discover the tropical paradise and stunning beaches

A vector image of a waterfall drawn in bold, gold line work

Atherton Tablelands

Marvel at the lush landscape with many epic waterfalls

Gold yacht icon

The Whitsundays

Discover paradise, stopping off at Whitehaven beach

Awe-inspiring marine wildlife and stretches of pristine rainforest

The northern reaches of Queensland are incredible sites for those who enjoy vast wilderness. The area plays host to over an incredible 36 national parks and contains three World Heritage Sites within its borders, namely the Wet Tropics of Queensland, Riversleigh fossil site and, most famously of all, the Great Barrier Reef.

Considered one of the great natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is the biggest coral reef system on the planet. Superlatives fail to capture its immensity and beauty, an environment that fosters incredible biodiversity, including 30 species of cetaceans, more than 1500 types of fish and the graceful dugong, strung out across 2300km (1400 miles). Explore this underwater marvel with unmatched snorkelling, diving and wildlife watching boat trips. There are also hundreds of islands and beaches to discover.

Another popular destination is nearby Cairns, a great spot from which to begin an adventure into the tropical jungles of northern Queensland. With great stretches of eucalyptus savannahs and its remote, barely disturbed environment, the Cape York Peninsula is the northernmost point of Australia. Rivers, creeks and streams bubble through mostly flat territory with mangrove swamps, rainforests and amazing, rough trails for real explorers. The town of Laura also harbours some of the oldest rock paintings from the Aboriginal peoples.

Highlights

Charter a boat around the epic Whitsunday Islands, and stop off at Whitehaven Beach to see one of the most beautiful beaches in the world

Explore the dense Daintree Rainforest, keeping your eye out for crocs along the way

Visit the incredible Barron Gorge National Park, and marvel at the Barron Falls

Experience diving in the famous Great Barrier Reef. Appreciate the vibrant coral and marine life that call the reef home

The largest living organism on the planet, viewable from space and spanning over 2,300km of vibrant coral and exquisite marine life. Journey out to Lizard Island, situated right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and walk directly out of your private tropical paradise, onto white sandy beaches and out to the crystal-clear waters of the Reef itself. Explore the 74 islands of the Whitsundays, situated at the southern point of the Great Barrier Reef and relax on the pure white, silica sand of Whitehaven Beach, ranked as Australia’s No.1 beach and commonly ranked in the Top 10 best beaches in the world.

Charlie Morris headshot

Charlie Morris

Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Northern Queensland

There are many incredible places to stay in Northern Queensland. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

Personalised design illustration image

Personalised design

We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

Authentic experiences illustration image

Authentic experiences

Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

Responsible travel illustration image

Responsible travel

Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Trip Inspiration

Get inspired with our Northern Queensland example trips and then get in touch to plan your own trip
Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your North Queensland trip, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Discover more of Australia

Sydney thumbnail

Sydney

The city of Sydney on the east coast of Australia is as idyllic is it appears from its instantly recognisable cityscape. It boasts a rich and intriguing history, famous beaches and iconic landmarks, with a diverse and friendly population, all spread around an elaborate shoreline of Port Jackson’s yacht-filled inlets, bays and rivers.

Discover more
New South Wales thumbnail

New South Wales

New South Wales is found on the east coast of Australia, boasting the beautiful city of Sydney at its heart. Called the Premier State, it is also the oldest, having been colonised in 1788 when Britain first established the area as a penal colony.

Discover more
Victoria and Melbourne thumbnail

Victoria and Melbourne

One of the most densely-populated regions in Australia, the south-eastern state of Victoria is centred around its capital, the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne.

Discover more
Tasmania thumbnail

Tasmania

The island of Tasmania lies of the southern coast of Australia, the state encompassing the central island as well as 334 smaller landmasses that surround it. It is widely known for its vast expanses of unspoiled wilderness, diverse landscapes that range from rugged mountains and highland lakes to rainforests, cascading waterfalls and a dramatic coastline.

Discover more
Whitsundays thumbnail

Whitsundays

A chain of 74 islands, four of which boast renowned luxury resorts, the Whitsunday Islands are found in the middle of the incomparable Great Barrier Reef just off the coast of Queensland. Surrounded by the natural wonders of this marine paradise, you couldn’t be better placed to explore this natural marvel.

Discover more
Brisbane thumbnail

Brisbane

Founded on the banks of its eponymous river, the old city of Brisbane is located between the famous Sunshine and Gold Coast, each a magnet for surfers and beach lovers.

Discover more
South Australia thumbnail

South Australia

South Australia is vast state and contains a portion almost everything that makes Australian so unique and recognisable. From the great stretching vastness of the wild Australian Outback to the charm of wine valleys and beaches of silver sand, your stay will be a memorable one.

Discover more
Kangaroo Island thumbnail

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is a deceptively large island off the southern coast of Australia, not far from Adelaide, playing host to a magnificent wilderness, with large populations of the country’s beloved wildlife – not just its eponymous marsupial – and large swathes of protected habitats.

Discover more
Top End thumbnail

Top End

Australia’s Top End contains some of the few remaining expanses of genuinely untouched wilderness in the world, a remote haven that abounds with national parks and rugged beauty. Its general isolation from the rest of the country gives it a unique quality, with deep Aboriginal spiritual significance, a fascinating recent history and ancient landscapes to explore.

Discover more
Perth and Margaret River thumbnail

Perth and Margaret River

Perth can be found on the far west coast of the country, the capital city of Western Australia state, and while it may appear to be isolated from other major cities, it carries a uniquely laid back and cosmopolitan charm and has been voted as one of the most liveable modern cities, not just in Australia, but in the world.

Discover more
Uluru and the Outback thumbnail

Uluru and the Outback

The Australian Outback is much more than a vast, arid hinterland within the inner regions of the country down under. There is both an extraordinary physical beauty, exquisite in its isolation, as well as a tangible spiritual energy that binds together the land and the people.

Discover more
Western Australia thumbnail

Western Australia

Western Australia is vast – it covers a third of the entire country – yet its population is disproportionately small. Unsurprising for a state of this size, the landscape is incredibly diverse – Western Australia has everything from vibrant cities and quaint vineyards to epic coastline and vast, open plains.

Discover more
Luxury Rail Travel Australia thumbnail

Luxury Rail Travel Australia

In a country the size of Australia, trying to see it all can prove overwhelming. A great way to explore is by luxury train, allowing you to cover vast distances in comfort and style while admiring the epic landscapes pass by. There are also off-train excursions so you can really connect with your surroundings rather than simply pass through.

Discover more

Meet your Australasia team

When to visit

Due to Australia‘s vast size, different regions have different weather throughout the year. The best time to visit Australia depends on which regions you’re interested in visiting.

The best time for the Great Barrier Reef is from April to October, with April and May being slightly quieter shoulder months.

January is Australia’s main summer holiday, so it tends to be extremely busy all around the country.

Great Barrier Reef main icon

Great Barrier Reef

April - May

Enjoy the outdoors main icon

Enjoy the outdoors

June - October

Peak Season main icon

Peak Season

January

When is the Best Time to Visit Australia?

When is the Best Time to Visit Australia?

Read more

Plan your trip to Australia

Whatever you want from your trip to Australia, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Plan with peace of mind

When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.

If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.

Find out more
Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline