The Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region of Australia is a region internationally recognised for world-class attractions, superb natural features and friendly hospitality.

Here are some helpful hints about the region however please feel free to contact us if you would like more information about anything from tours, destinations, currencies etc.

• Some businesses in remote parts do not operate year round due to the 'Green' season. Always call ahead and check.
• Refrain from using soaps or detergents in rivers, streams or swimming holes.
• Protect our precious wildlife - domestic animals are not allowed in National Parks.
• Take care with fire - grasslands and open forest are vulnerable to bushfires.
• Car parts can be hard to source so carry a spare fanbelt, radiator hose and tow rope.
• Carry a first aid kit with you at all times.
• Check the condition of your spare tyre and your jack!
• During the wet season, remember to walk creek crossings before driving through.
• The outback rule if trouble occurs, do not leave your vehicle.
• Talk to a local - Ask for their ideas of what to see in their own backyard.
• Make regular stops. Stop at least every 90 minutes to stretch your legs and stay alert.
• Slip into the slow lane. Take a side trip to a sleepy beachside village, drive through corridors of cane, or head to a national park tucked into the rainforest-covered hills.
• Side roads can be narrow, so pull over as vehicles approach and watch out for cane trains during winter and spring.
• Put on the brake. Make some part of the Wet Tropics your home base for a few days and explore at your own pace.
• Support local communities. Buy locally grown tropical fruits, take a tour, stay in Bed and Breakfasts.
• Read the local paper. Look out for information on local markets, agricultural shows, garden expos and town festivals.
• Be prepared for delays. Road maintenance work and trains hauling cane can lead to inevitable delays.
• Carry drinking water in your vehicle, no matter how short your intended journey.
• Tell someone where you're going, how long you'll be, and when you expect to return.
• Remember, everyone here including you is driving on the LEFT hand side of the road.

Travelling to any destination always prompts a few important questions, and here is a list of our most frequently asked questions.

North Queensland?

As you may have discovered, there are so many places to see in our region, and so many new adventures to experience. Two weeks or 10 days will give you enough time to tour the area and see all the main highlights. We recommend allocating 7 or 8 nights in a primary holiday base - Cairns, the Cairns Beaches or Port Douglas

There are generally only two seasons in the Wet Tropics, 'the green' and 'the dry'. The green season begins with the first monsoonal rains, usually around November, and ends around May. About 75 to 90% of the annual rainfall is recorded then, with the highest falls between Cairns and Tully around the Bellenden Ker and Bartle Frere Mountains.

Average green season temperatures range from 24 - 33 deg. Celsius and in the dry from 14 - 26 degrees. Highest temperatures usually occur in January and the lowest in June, July and August. The upland areas are cooler, with average dry season temperatures of 9 - 22 deg. While many visitors consider the Wet Tropics climate on par with paradise, don't be lulled into a false sense of security. Winter temperatures on Mt Bartle Frere can drop as low as four degrees Celsius with accompanying 25 to 40 km/h winds producing a chill factor below zero.

Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable almost universally, and you may care to pack a light jacket for evening wear. Pack loose, comfortable clothing, walking shoes, one or two hats, swimwear and sunglasses. Remember to minimise your sun exposure and bring a good sunscreen, or buy one locally. Don't forget your camera / video camera!

Australia?

International visitors require a current passport, and may also require a visitors' visa. There are no entry and exit requirements between Australian states. For a working holiday, there are formalities to be observed so make enquires at your local Australian consulate.

What customs regulations apply?

Limitations apply to bringing in many items including quotas for tobacco products, alcohol, motor vehicles and other personal possessions - details can be obtained from an Australian Customs Booklet. As Australia is an island, strict quarantine regulations apply to plants and food items so again please ask before you embark.

Can I use my credit cards/ATM cards in Australia?

All major international credit cards can be used in Australia and travellers' cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores. If your credit card is encoded with a PIN you will be able to withdraw cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs) situated at banks and shopping centres throughout the country.

Is it safe to drink the water in Australia?

Our cities and towns have excellent water supplies and in most cases tap water is fresh and safe to drink. It is a good idea to check with your hotel and local information centre before consumption. Water sourced directly from rivers and lakes should be boiled, chemically treated or filtered before drinking to avoid stomach upsets.

What is the voltage of electricity supply in Australia? Do I need to take a converter?

Electricity is supplied throughout Australia at 230/240 volts (50 hertz), although most hotels and motels provide 110 volt AC sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. For all other equipment, an adapter/converter is necessary, unless the item has a multi-voltage option. Please note that power outlets only accept flat three or two-pin plugs, depending on whether an earth connection is fitted.

What are my options for rental car agencies?

International and local car, mini bus, and camper van companies all operate from Cairns.

What public transport is available?

Sunbus operates within Cairns and the Cairns Beaches, plus taxis are available 24/7. Regular coach schedules operate to Port Douglas, Mossman, Cape Tribulation, Cooktown, Kuranda and Mission Beach, plus weekly schedules to Mt Garnet, Mt Surprise, Croydon. Georgetown, Normanton and Karumba. Queensland Rail also run a weekly train - Savannahlander - to Mt Garnet, Mt Surprise and Forsayth.

What types of accommodation are available in Tropical North Queensland?

You'll find a choice of different types of accommodation from top-class hotels, exclusive lodges, motels, guesthouses, and farm or home stays to holiday parks and backpacker hostels throughout the region. You might also like the freedom to discover things at your own pace in a campervan. Two, four or six berth vans are available to rent, offering all the comforts of home including a shower, refrigerator and microwave.

Do I need to pre-book accommodation?

It's a good idea to pre-book at least your first five nights in advance, especially during the busy period from June to November.

What is a "Farmstay"?

It is similar to a Bed & Breakfast or Homestay, except that you stay on a farm in peaceful rural surroudings, where your closest neighbours are often farm animals. Frequently the food is either home grown, home made or both. Many farmstays offer all meals, this is a unique opportunity to sample country style cooking and experience real Aussie hospitality, the fact that most farmers work "at home" is an added bonus. Activities are often restricted due to the dangers involved with farm machinery and animal husbandry, however you are always welcome to observe any farm practises.

What types of activities are available for the children?

If you are thinking about visiting with your family, you can be confident that Tropical North Queensland has a wide range of activities to keep your children happy.

What types of reef experiences are available?

Every kind of reef experience is available here. If you wish to enter the water, there are scuba diving and snorkelling trips to suit all budgets, with options of day trips or extended diving adventures (up to 8 days at the reef). You don't need to be a certified diver to experience scuba diving at the reef,­ introductory dives are very popular and you can even do a night time introductory dive at the reef.

The large reef-moored pontoons are ideal for non-swimmers. Semi-submersibles take guests on underwater tours of the reef and corals, and there are large, underwater viewing observatories built into the pontoons where you can get a dry and close up view of the wondrous marine life. There are scenic helicopter flights, seaplane and other fixed wing flights over the reef, as well as on-land preparatory experiences such as Reef Teach, which prepares and educates you about the Great Barrier Reef.

When are the stingers or dangerous jellyfish present?

During our wet season, large swimming enclosures are employed at popular swimming beaches, which afford protection against dangerous jellyfish stings. These are staffed by qualified Queensland Lifesavers who can provide any information you may require on the spot. The jellyfish are mainly present on coastal beaches during a limited, defined season and are not as common on The Great Barrier Reef where activities such as snorkelling or diving as these take place, as this is done a distance from the coast and out of the usual habitat of the marine stingers.

What are the summer months like?

We call it the greening season. It is often dramatic, wildly beautiful and eagerly awaited by the flora and fauna of the tropical rainforests. Without our annual rainfall, there would be no rainforest and, as many visitors discover, our 'liquid sunshine' doesn't interfere with diving, snorkelling or touring to any great extent. Occasionally, the wet season brings low-pressure zones that may develop into a cyclone, however the regional tourism industry is well prepared for any such eventuality.

What are the road conditions outside of Cairns?

North to Cape Tribulation, the coastal road is sealed bitumen. From Cape Tribulation to Cooktown the coastal road is 4WD only. The inland route from Cairns to Cooktown, the Peninsula Development Road is also completely sealed. All roads are unsealed north of Lakeland into Cape York region and 4WD vehicles are strongly recommended. Updated road conditions are available from the RACQ website and Department of Main Roads.

The Gulf Savannah road is all sealed to Karumba and Gregory Downs, and is mostly a single lane. Please give way to cattle and mining trucks travelling these roads and look out for wildlife crossings. You should carry 2 spare tyres and relevant equipment as some areas are very remote.

Do I need permits to access Aboriginal land?

It is more correct to say you need permission, and this may take the form of a written permit or oral permission depending on individual circumstances. With the exception of National Parks, Aboriginal lands are out of bounds to visitors without a permit or invitation, although some roads that cross them are exempt. Most modern maps show which areas are categorised as Aboriginal land. The best way to approach it is to plan your activities in advance and enquire at regional information centres on route. There are many Aboriginal communities throughout the region who welcome visitors and facilitate cultural contact with tours, arts and crafts, just as there are some sheltered communities where outside contact is not sought. If you're unsure, be naturally polite and your enquires will be answered in kind.



Are there entry fees into National Parks?

Generally, there are no fees for visitors in their own vehicles. However, there are nominal fees for camping in designated National Park camping areas.

Where are the Alcohol Restrictions in your Region?

Alcohol Restrictions apply for some Indigenous Communities within Queensland. For further information visit: http://www.mcmc.qld.gov.au/community/restricted.php