North Queensland, or the Northern Region, is the northern part of the Australian state of Queensland that lies just south of Far North Queensland. Queensland is a massive state, larger than many countries, and the tropical northern part of it has been historically remote and undeveloped, resulting in a distinctive regional character and identity.
Tourism to North Queensland is a peak regional visitor destination for hundreds and thousands of domestic and overseas tourists – it offers so much in shear natural beauty that many people said they should have spent more time exploring and enjoying this fantastic region.
Travellers from Australia and around the world wonder at the splendour of the northern areas of this vast state which covers an area from a few kilometres north of the Sunshine Coast in the South up to Cape York and the Torres Strait Islands in the North, and inland to the Gulf Savannah.
This is one of Australia’s huge growth regions with more than 2.3 million visitors to Tropical North Queensland each year and tourism being the number one employer in the region you can be guaranteed that your visit will something very special.
Queensland Tourism Australia works closely with the individual members of the tourist industry promoting the many wonders on offer to the holiday maker, such as hotels, tour companies, attractions and hire car companies, to help visitors create their dream holiday.
Although Brisbane is the state’s capital city, a city full of energy, style, arts and culture, the lure of the north is extremely strong and compelling a place definitely not to be missed.
The Great Barrier Reef would be the initial fascinating draw card to the area which stretches 2300km along the Queensland coast; being home to a myriad of sea creatures and hidden gems, and the best way to explore the reef is to snorkel or scuba dive.
There are literally hundreds of Queensland islands where you can relax and indulge in all that island life has to offer. Sail the Whitsunday Islands or take a sea plane to a remote getaway where you can truly escape.
Unwind at a rainforest retreat in Tropical North Queensland. The World Heritage listed Wet Tropics offer spectacular scenery, deep gorges, numerous waterfalls and mountain summits, providing expansive rainforest views and vistas.
The Queensland Outback is nature of a different kind, one that delivers Australia’s final frontier, with desert sand dunes and lush fishing holes make an interesting combination; the friendly locals are only too happy to show you their home with some of their back yards and big as some cities.
Travel back to the dinosaur era, listen carefully for the ghost in the home of Waltzing Matilda, or sit back and enjoy a cold beer in one of the iconic outback pubs.
Visit the birth place of Qantas and the Australian Flying Doctor Service – both Australian icons.
Bundaberg is a city with a population of well over 70,000 people and a major centre within Queensland’s broader of Wide Bay-Burnett geographical region.
A visit to Bundaberg would not be complete without exploring the Bundaberg distillery, a worldwide favourite for the rum connoisseur, even if you don’t drink, it is a must see.
Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast in the dry tropics region of Queensland, adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef. Townsville is Australia’s largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast, with a population estimate of 180,000 considered the unofficial capital of North Queensland by locals.
Townsville hosts a significant number of governmental, community and major business administrative offices for the northern half of the state.
Popular attractions include “The Strand“, a long tropical beach and garden strip; Riverway, a riverfront parkland attraction located on the banks of Ross River; Reef HQ, a large tropical aquarium holding many of the Great Barrier Reef‘s native flora and fauna; the Museum of Tropical Queensland, built around a display of relics from the sunken British warship HMS Pandora; Castle Hill, or as it was originally known Cootharinga, the most prominent landmark of the area and a popular fitness destination; the Townsville Sports Reserve; and Magnetic Island, a large neighbouring island, the vast majority of which is national park, and so much more.
Cairns is on the east coast of Far North Queensland and is the 5th-most-populous in Queensland and ranks 14th overall in Australia.
Cairns was founded in 1876 and named after William Wellington Cairns, Governor of Queensland from 1875 to 1877. It was formed to serve miners heading for the Hodgkinson River goldfield, but declined when an easier route was discovered from Port Douglas.
It later developed into a railhead and major port for exporting sugar cane, gold and other metals, minerals and agricultural products from surrounding coastal areas and the Atherton Tableland region.
The estimated residential population of the Cairns urban area in is about 148,000 and the associated local government area has experienced an average annual growth rate of 2.3% over the last 10 years.
Cairns is a popular tourist destination because of its tropical climate and access to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, makes this a perfect destination for the perfect getaway.
So rest assured that you will not be short of something to do or see in North Queensland.