About
the Queensland Region
| Area: |
1,730,650
sq kms (668,207 sq miles) |
| State
Population: |
3,670,500 |
| Capital:
|
Brisbane |
| Population:
|
1,291,300 |
Two-and-a-half
times the size of Texas and seven times the size
of the United Kingdom, Queensland, more than half
of which lies above the Tropic of Capricorn, is
known as the 'Sunshine State'. It is home to the
Great Barrier Reef, many resort islands, miles of
golden sandy beaches, lush rainforest and huge wilderness
areas. Tropical
North Queensland
This unique region of the state is where we operate
our tours and there are many attractions and activities
to explore. You can cruise, snorkel or dive on the
amazing Great Barrier Reef, relax on one of the
beautiful tropical islands, take a 4WD safari to
the outback, trek into some of the oldest rainforest
in the world or do all of the above! Southern
Queensland:
Our touring products travel through the rest of
the state stopping at the Atherton Tablelands, A
Cattle station, Magnetic island, the Whitsunday
Islands, Fraser Island, Rainbow Beach and Brisbane.
This provides for a diversity of experiences and
inclusions as part of the tour because Queensland
has something for everyone.
Culture
Queensland
has a rich Aboriginal culture and you will get a
taste of it on all our trips. Guides will introduce
you to bush medicine, history, and stories.
Wildlife
You
might be lucky enough to see fresh and salt-water
crocodiles, kangaroos, wallabies, the endangered
emu-like Cassowary, possums, the cute Green Tree
Frog and a huge variety of bird life including pelicans
and several species of cockatoos and parrots. You
can guarantee to see all these, plus koalas and
more, at Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary,
a unique reserve visited on many of our tours. http://www.kuranda.org/
ClimateAptly
named the Wet Tropics, Far North Queensland experiences
two distinct seasons (similar to the Top End of
the Northern Territory). Average temperatures during
the dry season (lasting approximately from May-November)
vary from 14-26°C (57-79°F), though outback and
highland areas can fall considerably below this
during winter nights. July to August is a very busy
time and booking accommodation and tours in advance
is highly recommended. The green season begins with
the first monsoonal rains, usually around the end
of November, and between 75 and 90% of the annual
rainfall is recorded during this time. Average green
season temperatures range from 24-33°C (75-91°F).
Time Zones
Please note: At different times during the year
there are time zones differences in Australia, for
instance between New South Wales and Queensland.
Example:
On certain tours that depart New South Wales at
8.00am and then stops to pickup more passengers
just over the border in Queensland at 8.30am which
would normally take 90 minutes to cover the same
distance it's because of the time zone.
|
Average Minimum |
Average Maximum |
Description |
| October-December |
22°C |
36°C |
Days are usually
fine and hot, with a late afternoon build-up
of storm clouds, resulting in evening showers.
This inspires many native trees to flower,
bringing out the birds and pollinating insects.
The outback creeks and waterfalls start to
flow. This is also the main time of reproduction
on the Great Barrier Reef, when we can witness
the yearly coral spawning. |
| January-March |
22°C |
36°C |
Warm, Humid
weather night and day. This is the time when
the tropics experience the heaviest rainfalls
throughout the year. The rivers are flowing,
the rainforest is glowing with colour, and
the outback turns green! |
| April-May |
18°C |
30°C |
This is the
mildest time of the year, with the rains easing.
The days are warm and usually sunny, often
cooled by a sea breeze. The nights are comfortably
cool. |
| June-July |
12°C |
26°C |
The coolest
months in the tropics, and also the time when
we experience the least rainfall. Perfect
for sitting around an outback campfire under
a star-filled sky! Our daylight hours are
not significantly reduced in winter, so outdoors
activities reign all year round. |
| August-September |
15°C |
30°C |
Temperatures
start to warm up, but the sunny days are cooled
with a refreshing sea breeze. Humpback Whales
can be seen on their annual epic migration
to the tropical waters of the Great Barrier
Reef, where they bear their young, before
heading back to the Antarctic for summer. |
Places of Interest
Cape
Tribulation - approximately 150km north
of Cairns, Cape Tribulation is a remote community
in the heart of the Daintree National Park. Captain
Cook named the cape in the late 1700's, as it was
just north of here that his 'tribulations' began
when he ran his ship on to Endeavour Reef. It is
famous for the discovery of rare and primitive plant
species in the rainforest and also the only place
in Australia where the reef meets the rainforest
(the Great Barrier Reef and Tropical Lowland Rainforest).
The stretch of coast that follows the Coral Sea
is incredibly beautiful.
Undara
Lava Tubes - these geological wonders were
formed some 190,000 years ago when a volcano erupted
and its molten lava flowed down a dry riverbed.
As the top layer cooled and crusted, the magma below
continued to flow through the tubes taking it further
from the volcano. As the eruption stopped, the lava
drained out of the tubes leaving a series of long,
hollow tunnels. The word Undara means 'a long way'
in the Aboriginal language and one of the lava flows
here extends 160 kilometres, making it the longest
lava flow from a single volcano in the world.
Fitzroy Island
- 35 kilometres (18 nautical miles) south east of
Cairns, Fitzroy Island is one of 600 'Continental'
islands on the Great Barrier Reef and is surrounded
by colourful fringing reef. It is actually the top
of a submerged mountain and was connected to the
mainland approximately 10,000 years ago but when
the Ice Age ended and the ocean rose, the valley
between Fitzroy and the other mountain peaks flooded.
BeachesCape
Tribulation - has a beautiful white, sandy
beach bordered by World Heritage rainforest and
the clear waters of the Coral Sea. Fitzroy
Island - is surrounded by beaches made
up of coral deposits. You can snorkel right off
the beach. HikesRainforest
Hike - Discover unspoilt freshwater streams
and hidden waterfalls that can only be reached by
foot on our 2 day hike exploring the valleys surrounding
Little Mulgrave River. Mossman
Gorge - The 3km walking trail offers a
beautiful introduction to the World Heritage rainforest
of the Daintree National Park. Silver
Valley - enjoy a walk through the outback
to a renowned Aboriginal rock art site.
Culture
Gold
Rush - Approximately 150km west of Cairns,
in the heart of the QLD outback, you won't believe
that these rugged tree-studded hills were once home
to 10,000 people scrambling for gold. 120 years
ago Tyrconnell was the most famous mine on the Hodgkinson
Goldfield and several original buildings and machines
remain as testament to the era.
Aboriginal
Outstation - a highlight of some of our
4WD safaris is the chance to interact with members
of the local Barbarrum clan, learn about their way
of life and try your hand at didgeridoo playing
Wildlife
You
might be lucky enough to see fresh and salt-water
crocodiles, kangaroos, wallabies, the endangered
emu-like Cassowary, possums, the cute Green Tree
Frog and a huge variety of bird life including pelicans
and several species of cockatoos and parrots. You
can guarantee to see all these, plus koalas and
more, at Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary,
a unique reserve visited on many of our tours.
Other
Activities
Canoeing
- Have fun exploring beautiful Lake Tinaroo by canoe
- a great way to get up close to wildlife along
the banks. As included in some of our 4WD Safaris.
Skyrail
Rainforest Cableway - See the rainforest
from a different angle! Experience amazing views
of the canopy on this 7km gondola ride that takes
you to Kuranda, the village in the rainforest. As
included in some of our 4WD Safaris. Horse
Riding - explore the grasslands, rainforest
and Cape Tribulation beach on horseback on our 3
Day 'Trails in Tribulation' Guided Transport packages.
Great
Barrier Reef Diving and Snorkelling - take
a day trip to the pristine reef off Cape Tribulation
on our 3 Day 'Reef & Rainforest' Guided Transport
packages or check out our 'Diving the Great Barrier
Reef' section (see Itineraries in the Queensland
'Tours' menu) for day trips and Learn to Dive/Advanced
Open Water courses from Cairns. White
Water Rafting - enjoy a full day of white-knuckle
adventure rafting the Grade 4 rapids of the Tully
River on our 3 Day Hinchinbrook Safari.
ATA Tours: 
