Vacation Cairns Qld.

Prompted by a question from KellyEngaldo we have decided to give our readers a guided tour around the areas surrounding Cairns in Northern Queensland.

Located on the Australian coastline some 1056 miles (1700 km) north of Queensland's capital city Brisbane and with an average temperature of over 80 F degrees (29C) it is a very warm and humid area.

Theme parks:

RainForestation Native Park

Located just 18km from Cairns the RainForestation Native Park situated in 100 acres of World Heritage Rainforest.

It is possible to take tours in Army Duck Rainforest Tours which take in Tropical Fruit Orchard, Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience and a Koala and Wildlife Park.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

The Cultural Park shows the visitor glimse of indigenous culture. allowing At the Park guests are shown performances by the Tjapukai people and can engage in interactive activities, in a way to help them undestand and learn the traditional customs of the Tjapukai people. http://www.tjapukai.com.au/

Cairns Esplanade

Along the Cairns Esplanade is a swimming lagoon where you can also enjoy a BBQ. It is also legal to sunbath topless on this beach. There is also a boardwalk for pedestrians to save the foreshore of the lagoon from foot traffic damage

Places to visit out of Cairns:

The Great Barrier Reef

Daintree National Park

Cape Tribulation

Port Douglas

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Coral Sea and regarded as the largest coral reef system in the world, the Great Barrier Reef stretches some 1600 mile (2600km).

There are some 900 islands within the area some are inhabited and some are not.

The Great Barrier reef is so large it is visible from outer space and is the largest single structure made up of living organisms referred to as coral polyps.
The Reef was made a World Heritage site in 1981 and has been labelled one of the natural wonders of the world. It is easy to see why it is one of Australia's favorite destinations for tourists.

Daintree National Park is  located just over 60 miles (100 km) North wards of Cairns.
The park was granted World Heritage listing in 1988, and is home for rare species and many forms of birdlife.
The Raintree Rainforest is said to be over 110 million years old, which would make it the oldest existing rainforest. In fact it is believed that there are still undiscovered specis of trees in the rainforest.
An interesting feature of the Daintree National Park is at an Aboriginal site located at Thornton Beach, home of the bouncing stones!

Cape Tribulation a headland located 68 miles (110 km ) north of Cairns is located inside the Daintree National Park which is a World Heritage Listed area.

The Cape was given it's name in 1770 by Lt.James Cook after numerous troubles like hitting a reef and almost sinking he recorded " the north point will be named Cape Tribulation because here began all our troubles"

It is recommended to visit this area in the dry season between July and November as there has been rain fall recorded as high as 256 inches (6.5 metres)

Located only 12 miles (19 km) from The Great Barrier Reef it is a good point to pick up a boat charter to view the Reef. Other activities include guided night hiking, horse back riding and 4 wheel driving.

Port Douglas located 40 miles (59km) from Cairns and is a very popular holiday (vacation) destination.
It has been voted number three in the contest of "Best Town in Australia" held by the "Australian Traveller"
An interesting visitor to Port Douglas in November 1996, was US President Bill Clinton and his wife. They chose the Town as the only vacation stop on their visit. He was making a return visit in September 2001 dining at a Salsa Bar and Grill when he was told about the 9/11 attacks in the United States. He cut his visit short and returned home.

Port Douglas is a great starting point for exploring the Great Barrier Reef.