Far North Queensland Experiences: 8 One-of-a-kind Things to do in FNQ

Taking a trip to the tropical top of Queensland? It’s more than just stunning beaches and hot, hot heat! Far north Queensland is home to incredible, once in a lifetime experiences ranging from hot air balloons to close encounters with saltwater crocodiles. You’ll sightsee some of the most beautiful terrains and wildlife, all whilst trying something brand new. So grab your itinerary and get planning with the Sitchu guide to FNQ! 

Sight-See From A Hot Air Balloon | Cairns 

Step right into a fairy tale with a view from a hot air balloon! For an experience that will never be forgotten, your air balloon ride begins at dawn, so you can drink in an absolutely stupendous sunrise. Watch the glow wash over the green, grassy tablelands and the beautiful blue ocean as you spend forty minutes gently floating over the earth. Regularly listed as one of the absolute must-do tourist activities, a hot air balloon experience is not to be missed on your next trip to Far North Queensland. 

Cost: $299pp

Great Barrier Reef Cruise | Port Douglas 

Get up close and personal with the Great Barrier Reef on your next trip to Far North Queensland with a Quiksilver Cruise! Explore vibrant coral gardens and the marine life on this six hour cruise with optional add on experiences like diving, helmet diving or a snorkel tour led by a marine biologist. You won’t go hungry with morning tea and afternoon tea included, as well as a tropical buffet lunch. If you prefer not to swim, you’ll still have a whale of a time sitting in the semi-submersible underwater observatory to take in the view. 

Cost: From $266pp

Ultimate Wildlife Experience Cruise | Daintree River

Experience the Daintree from a new angle on a sixty minute river cruise guided by locals who know just how to spot wildlife and natural history with a keen eye. You’ll learn about the mangrove ecosystem, the history of the Daintree River and you might even get to spot a Estuarine Crocodile in their natural habitat. Morning or afternoon tea are included, so you won’t go hungry (let’s hope the crocs have had their morning tea already, too).

Cost: From $30pp

Jarramali Rock Art Tours | Kuku-yalanji Country (Laura)

Head off the beaten track to the Quinkan Rock art site, to take the tour thats received rave reviews from travellers world wide! Friendly and experienced traditional Kuku-yalanji land owners will guide you through the tour, showcasing some of Australia’s oldest rock art, as well as teaching you more about their connection to the land: which plants are bush tucker or medicinal and which trees were used to craft tools and weapons from. 

Cost: Tours from $350pp 

The Crystal Caves | Atherton Tablelands

Have a penchant for all things sparkly? Then you must explore the glittering grottos of the Crystal Caves in the Atherton Tablelands on your next trip to tropical Queensland. René Boissevain took his passion for crystals and created a 300 square metre wonderland with pieces from around the world. You can even crack your own geode while you’re there, for your very own experience of being the first person to lay eyes on crystals grown inside a volcanic bubble 44 million years ago.

Cost: from $12.50pp

69 Main Street, Atherton

Wildlife Habitat | Port Douglas 

Swim with saltwater crocodiles, have breakfast with some birds and cuddle a koala one on one… sound too good to be true? Well, you’d best make sure you plan a visit to Wildlife Habitat on your next trip up north because this wildlife park has it all! With five different habitats to explore, you’re bound to make friends with some native fauna that you’ve never met before. 

Cost: From $38pp 

Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas 

Explore Cape Tribulation On Horseback | Cape Tribulation

For the experience of a lifetime, saddle up and explore Cape Tribulation on horseback! Following your guide through the beautiful Daintree Rainforest, you’ll spot natural flora and fauna while drinking in the serenity of the rainforest. Finishing the ride at Myall Beach for some fresh salty air, you can then ride through the shallow water to cool off. 

Cost: From $129

3831 Cape Tribulation Road, Cape Tribulation

Mountain Bike Through Cairns | Various Locations

Whether you’re serious about cycling or just like a casual push of the pedals, there’s a whole hoost of biking tracks throughout Tropical North Queensland that provide the perfect setting for sight-seeing and getting the freshest of fresh air! For a downhill thrill, visit Australia’s oldest operating downhill trail at Kuranda DH, or try your hand at the infamous Bump Track (we think you can guess what it’s infamous for…). Across the Atherton Tablelands you’ll find wilderness trails as well as bike-friendly dirt roads that make exploring super easy. 

Whether you’re headed off the beaten track or you’re opting to stay in a plush eco-lodge, tropical far north Queensland is home to such a variety of experiences, locations and environments. If you’re yet to book your stay, check out our guide to FNQ rainforest accommodation. You can get in the vacay mindset early by taking a digital home tour of this stylish, tropical beach house in Palm Cove, that has us dreaming of lazy days, humid air and a good book.