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/
Climate
Aptly
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.
Beaches
Cape
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.
Hikes
Rainforest
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: 
