Whitsunday Islands,
This group of roughly 160 beautiful tropical islands lies off the north-eastern coast of Queensland and is today one of the greatest tourist attractions in Australia, drawing more than 600,000 visitors a year. This aquatic playground lies 95 miles (150km) north of Mackay and 190 miles (300km) south of Townsville, which offer easy access to the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Holidaymakers flock to the adjacent mainland and island resorts to enjoy sailing, diving, exploring the reefs, or simply relaxing on thousands of sandy beaches. Seventy percent of the region has been declared a national or marine park. The main town in the area is the cosmopolitan resort village of Airlie Beach on the mainland that has a plethora of tour offices offering trips to the Whitsundays.

Fraser Island,Gold Coast
This is the world's largest sand island, situated a two-hour drive north of Brisbane, which provides a unique ecological system of giant dunes, forests, streams and freshwater lakes. In 1993 it was placed on the World Heritage List and draws visitors wishing to explore the unique elevated lakes (there are more than 200 of them) which contain pure, acidic water that are so low in nutrients that few fish survive in them. The island, well covered in vegetation, is inhabited by bats, dingoes and more than 350 species of birds. It also features giant satinay trees that stand 60 metres high as well as several other rare and ancient botanical species. The island is 75 miles (120km) long and about 9 miles (15km) wide and can be explored on walking trails or by four-wheel drive. Accommodation is plentiful on the island in ecologically sensitive resorts.

Bowling Green Bay National Park,Cairns
Covering 55,300 hectares, this is the largest National Park in the region, and the area was once home to the Wulgurukaba Aboriginal people who have left their mark in beautiful rock paintings. It is sited between Townsville and Bowen and includes the Mount Elliot area and adjacent coastal wetlands, saltpans and mangrove swamps. Alligator Creek meanders through the park, with beautiful waterfalls and cascades crashing into deep pools, surrounded by tropical rainforest.

Opening time:
The Park is open from 6.30am to 6.30pm and caters for campers and day visitors

Magnetic Island,Cairns
Magnetic Island was named by Captain James Cook in 1770 when he believed that the landmass of the island affected the magnetic compass on his ship, 'Endeavour'. More than half of the island, which is about five miles (8km) from Townsville, is a National Park known for its rugged landscape with granite boulders, hoop pines and eucalyptus trees. The island has 23 beaches and bays, some of which can only be reached on foot. There are more than 12 miles (20km) of walking trails marked out on the island. Part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park fringes the island, which is also home to the most northerly colony of free-ranging koala bears in Australia. The island offers a wide range of accommodation. Local transport is available on the island.

Hartley's Creek,Cairns
This working crocodile farm is to be found on the magnificent coastal drive 25 miles (40km) north of Cairns. 'Hartley's Crocodile Adventures' is reputedly the best crocodile show in Australia, but the farm, sited under a lush rainforest canopy, hosts other wildlife too such as cassowaries, dingoes, snakes, koalas and lizards. It is the 'Crocodile Attack Show' however that draws the crowds who are enthralled as keepers hand feed the creatures and relate fascinating facts. High quality crocodile leather goods are also on sale.

Admission:
AU$28 (adults), AU$14 (children 4-15 years). Family: AU$70.00 (2 adults and 2 children). concessions available

Opening time:
The farm is open daily 8.30am to 5pm; regular conducted tours are offered

Museum of Tropical Queensland,Cairns
This fun museum is interactive and state of the art, designed to tell stories of the high seas like that of HMS Pandora, the ship that captured the Bounty mutineers before coming to grief on the Great Barrier Reef in 1791. The museum also details the natural and human history of tropical Queensland, and there is a fun science centre included. The building is set on the water and includes a shop and cafe.

Admission:
A$12 (adults), A$7 (children 4-16 years); concessions available

Opening time:
Daily 9.30am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day, Good Friday and ANZAC morning, 25 April, reopening at 1pm)

Quilpie Opals,Cairns
Australia is known for producing the world's finest opals, with 95 percent of the world's production of these gems originating from rich mineral deposits in New South Wales, South Australia, and Quilpie in Western Queensland. Quilpie Opals has opened a retail store in Cairns, which also serves as an educational venue for visitors wishing to learn about the Australian national gemstone. The shop, which offers a vast selection of opal jewellery as well as souvenirs, also has a mini-theatre where visitors can watch an informative video on opal mining, cutting and polishing.

Tamborine Mountain,Gold Coast
Tamborine Mountain is inland from the Gold Coast, about 21 miles (34km) northwest of Nerang and about 40 miles (62km) from Brisbane. It is a popular scenic drive destination, as the area includes seven national parks featuring a variety of sub-tropical rainforest. Mount Tamborine itself rises 1,837ft (560m) above sea level. The main Tamborine National Park covers a large section of the mountain offering walking trails through abundant rainforest and past waterfalls, with excellent picnic facilities. There are numerous art and craft galleries in the area, several restaurants and two wineries.

Wet 'n Wild Water World,Gold Coast
This premier water theme park was recently voted Brisbane's best tourist attraction. Sited at Oxenford on the Pacific Highway in 20 acres of tropical parkland it incorporates a wave pool, children's pool, speed slide, toboggan ride and a variety of twisting slides - all supervised by fully qualified lifeguards and with the water heated year round. There are also barbecue and picnic facilities in the park, as well as a cafe and souvenir shop.

Admission:
A$42(adults), A$28children 4-13 yrs); concessions available, as well as various passes

Opening time:
Daily 10am. The park closes at various times depending on the month from 4pm to 9pm

The Esplanade,Cairns
The recently renovated Cairns Esplanade is the hub for visitors to the city, providing an entertaining promenade with numerous recreational opportunities, lined with a host of restaurants, bars and cafes. Apart from a safe, sandy swimming lagoon and vast lawns used for all sorts of purposes from picnics and barbecues to kite-flying, the Esplanade features wonderful Saturday arts and crafts markets, spiced up by buskers and colourful street characters. There is never a dull moment on this lively foreshore.

Skyrail,Cairns
The most popular tourist attraction in Cairns is the Skyrail rainforest cableway, which travels nearly five miles (7.5km) from the Caravonica Terminal, the gondolas gliding above the canopy of the rainforest over magnificent waterfalls and gorges, to the village of Kuranda. En route passengers can alight temporarily at two stations to explore the boardwalks that have been constructed in the heart of the forest. Interpretative centres have been set up so visitors can learn about the ecology, fauna and flora of the fascinating ancient rainforest. The return journey takes about two and a half hours, and the gondolas seat up to six people. Booking in advance is advisable.

Admission:
Return ticket: AU$94 (adults); AU$47 (children 4-14 years, under 4 free); other packages available

Opening time:
Gondolas depart continually between 8.30am and 4pm daily

Cairns WIld World Tropical Zoo,Cairns
Hundreds of indigenous and exotic species of animals have been gathered in the Cairns Tropical Zoo to delight young and old, who can explore six hectares of tropical landscaped gardens and interact with the animals. Pet a koala or stroke a snake, and meet (not too close in this case) the largest living crocodile in the world, 'Sarge', who has lived in the park for more than 20 years. The zoo is dedicated to engendering a greater understanding of the wildlife of the area and promoting the preservation of their natural habitats.

Admission:
A$31 (adults), A$15.50 (children 4-15 yrs). Pensioner, student and group discounts available

Opening time:
Open daily 8.30am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day)

Kuranda Railway,Cairns
The 100-year-old Kuranda rail line stretches upwards for 21 miles (34km) from Cairns to Kuranda through tropical rainforest, winds through 15 tunnels and 98 breathtaking curves, and traverses 40 bridges, including one that spans the awesome Barron River Falls. The scenic trip is a must for all visitors to Cairns. The trip includes an educational commentary about the history of the line and the engineering feat of its construction. The journey takes about one hour, 45 minutes, one way. Advance booking is recommended.

Admission:
A$56 (adults); A$27(children 4-14 years, under 4 free); other concessions and packages available

Opening time:
Trains leave Cairns Station 8.30am and 9.30am daily, returning from Kuranda Station at 2pm and 3.30pm daily. Trains also pick up passengers at Freshwater Station en route

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park,Cairns
The name 'Tjapukai' means 'people of the rainforest' and applies to the indigenous people who have inhabited the tropical region between Cairns and Port Douglas, and inland to Kuranda, for eons. About 20 years ago a group of entertainers established Australia's first aboriginal dance theatre at the village of Kuranda, near Cairns, in a shopping centre basement. Its popularity with tourists led to expansion into a fully-fledged award-winning 25-acre Cultural Park, which now draws the crowds at Smithfield, a few miles north of the city. Show business, in the form of history and dance theatre, remains the basis of the attraction, and at the Camp Village visitors can interact with the Tjapukai and try out traditional activities like playing the didgeridoo and throwing a boomerang. The park also offers a nighttime show experience where the audience is swept up into the ancient rituals and ceremonies of the 'Dreamtime', including a dinner banquet of local food and wine.

Admission:
A$30 (adults), A$15 (children 4-14 years), including all park attractions

Opening time:
Open daily from 9am to 5pm. Tjapukai by Night shows at 7.30pm (Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day)

Paronella Park,Cairns
Magical Paronella Park was the imaginative brainchild of a young entrepreneur, Jose Paronella, who built his dream castle on this site near Mena Creek, about 62 miles (100km) north of Cairns, in 1929. Since then the castle has come to be regarded as an architectural marvel, today a top tourist attraction, which has been used as a set for several movies. The picturesque grounds, overlooking Mena Creek Falls, feature interesting forest walks, bamboo gardens, a secret garden and 'tunnel of love'. Cultural performances and guided walks are offered to visitors as part of the admission price. In 1997, Paronella Park was recognised as a historical treasure and listed by the National Trust.

Admission:
A$28 (adults), A$14 (children 5-15); includes map, Botanical Walk guide book, guided walks and cultural performances. Concessions available

Opening time:
Open daily 9am to 9.30pm (closed Christmas Day)

Daintree Rainforest,Cairns
The oldest tropical rainforest still surviving on earth, Daintree is a World Heritage listed site containing the highest number of rare or threatened plant and animal species on the planet. This unique area covers around 1,200 km of northern Queensland, and is visited by thousands of tourists who access it usually from Cairns, via Daintree Village. Visitors enjoy an unrivalled natural experience, from the beautiful golden beaches to hiking through ancient forest ecosystems full of gorgeous birds, primitive flowering plants, and fascinating animals like the estaurine crocodile.

Admission:
A$25 (adult); A$10 (children); other concessions available

Opening time:
The Environmental Centre is open daily, 8:30am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day)

Great Barrier Reef,Cairns
One of the great natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is as big as the total combined area of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and contains more than 1,000 islands, from sandy mounts to rainforest isles. Divers, snorkellers and nature lovers can reach specific sites by air or by water taxi. Non-divers can view this underwater world from a glass-bottomed boat. The Reef ecosystem has evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to give life to almost 7,000 species of plants and animals. It is home to some endangered species like the green loggerhead turtle, and is a breeding site for humpback whales. Visitors can either cruise the islands or make a base in Cairns or one of the many seaside towns along the Queensland coast. Visitors can access the Great Barrier Reef from numerous regions in Queensland, from the southern gateway of Bundaberg, Coral Coast and Country to Gladstone, Capricorn, the Whitsundays, Mackay, Townsville and Tropical North Queensland, including Cairns.