The majestic coral structures that make up the Great Barrier Reef extend over 1,500 kilometres, and are home to the greatest variety of flora and fauna species found in any one location in the world. The scope of the reef is magnificent, encompassing some 21,900 individual reefs and an area of 348,000 square kilometres larger than the combined total area of Ireland and the United Kingdom! The Great Barrier Reef, now a national marine park, provides superb recreational activities such as snorkelling, diving, swimming, semi-submersibles, coral viewing and fishing, and offers a unique environment for scientific research. The rainforests of the Wet Tropics, a 'living museum' of flora and fauna, were placed on the World Heritage List in 1988 and cover an area of nearly 900,000 hectares of rainforest and tropical vegetation. Here, pockets of primitive plants have remained undisturbed for millions of years, and rare, even previously unidentified species of birds, insects and mammals have emerged to delight biologists and nature lovers. The warmth of the tropical climate has fostered a vigorous outdoor lifestyle, reflected in the architectural styles of open verandas and balconies and extending to the most traditional of Australian cuisine - the barbecue. Dining is a high point of any holiday, and the cosmopolitan local restaurants, cafes and eateries offer an eclectic fare of Australian and international cuisine, the highlight of most menus featuring the region's mouth-watering fresh seafood and unusual tropical fruits. Accommodation in the region is diverse too, ranging from luxury resorts and five star hotels to award winning budget style apartments and backpacker lodges. There are so many unique attractions and activities to see when you visit us...cruise to the reef or islands, take a 4WD safari to the outback, trek into the rainforest or see it from the rainforest cableway above its green canopy on your way to or from Kuranda. Day touring in this region is so easy - there are over 600 trips to choose from, and our tourism industry and infrastructure is designed to ensure you, the visitor, will have a truly memorable holiday.
Just 15 minutes north from the Cairns International Airport you'll find Trinity Beach conveniently nestled between two headlands - providing an ideal bay area in which to enjoy the popular activities on offer. The palm fringed shores offer a peaceful haven for more relaxing pursuits. For the avid explorer why not join one of the many tours that depart Trinity Beach daily? So, whatever your pleasure, and whatever your budget, you'll discover Trinity Beach is a refreshing holiday destination, within easy reach of all the amenities at the heart of Cairns...and yet worlds apart.
Palm Cove, with its distinctive character and intimate ambience, its old world charm with splashes of tropical colour, its Australian architecture, its idyllic setting, glorious sunshine, serenity and security - will enchant you! So take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque esplanade and enjoy the experience of the village shopping precinct with its many specialty shops. Take a swim on the patrolled beach, walk to the tranquil beaches of Clifton or Kewarra.
Information courtesy of Tourism Tropical North Queensland |
Tropical
North Queensland is as diverse in natural treasures as the cosmopolitan mix
of cultures and peoples that call this region home. First to arrive were the
Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders...followed by the Dutch navigators
and eventually Capt. James Cook, who claimed the coast for Britain and paved
the way for European settlement to begin. Gold rushes and foreign wars
brought immigrants from around the world to enrich the north with their
skills, traditions and cultures.
