Far North Queensland is located on Queensland’s north-eastern seaboard. For the purposes of this website, we will cover the areas from Cairns and the Tablelands, west to the Gulf Savannah region and north to the Tip of Australia.

Yes, Cairns is in Far North Queensland and is considered the unofficial capital of the region. It’s the largest town and population centre in Far North Queensland and serves as the gateway and central hub to explore the greater destination.

The short answer is ‘yes’ you can swim from the beaches in Far North Queensland. However, swimming should only occur at beaches that have nets and lifeguards. Please note Far North Queensland is crocodile country and saltwater crocodiles are often seen at the beaches – signage will be present to indicate this. Also, at certain times of the year marine stingers may be present in the water, again signage will be present to indicate this. So ‘yes’ you can swim at the beaches – but be selective and be safe.

It’s next to impossible to provide a definitive answer to this question. What we can say is that about 20 years ago, there were believed to be less than 1,500 Cassowaries left in the wild. As of 2024, there are believed to be more than 3,500 Cassowaries in the wild in Far North Queensland. If you are hoping to see a Cassowary in Far North Queensland, we have prepared a blog post on the Best Places To See A Cassowary in Cairns, which includes a map showing all recorded sightings.

Far North Queensland is a popular tourist destination, with people drawn from around Australia and the world keen to see and explore the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Rainforests. Numbers have fluctuated widely in recent years, due to COVID related border closures and travel restrictions. As an indicator of visitor numbers to the region, Cairns alone attracts around 2 million domestic and international visitors annually.

No – Far North Queensland is not a single city; it is a region that comprises several towns and cities, with Cairns being the most prominent city in the area.

Cairns is the gateway to Far North Queensland. The city has a domestic and international airport and is connected to the rest of the state and country by train and bus service. You can also self-drive to Far North Queensland.

If you want to plan your itinerary, then yes you will need a car in Far North Queensland. However, if you want to sit back and relax, then there are lots of tours who do pickups and drop-offs across Cairns, the Northern Beaches and Port Douglas.

Must-do activities in Far North Queensland include exploring the Great Barrier Reef, visiting the ancient Daintree Rainforest, taking a scenic railway trip to Kuranda, experiencing the Indigenous culture, and enjoying the tropical beaches and island getaways. You really can choose your own adventure here. Fishing. White Water Rafting. Jet Boating. Wildlife Attractions.