Journey in Queensland – The Tropical North
Rainforest to Reef – Expertise the pure great thing about Queensland, Australia with this information to probably the most photogenic outside experiences you may have from the Atherton Tablelands to Cape Tribulation.
Rising up in Australia, there was this one youngsters’s e-book I keep in mind being obsessive about known as ‘The place the Forest Meets the Sea’ by Jeannie Baker. It described every thing desires as a bit of future explorer had been made from with tangled trunks of large rainforest bushes hiding Dinosaur shadows in a land the place the plush inexperienced landscapes met clear blue seas. It was like The place’s Wally for nature lovers, and 8yr previous me was hooked.
Effectively, now that I’m a journey obsessed grownup, I’ve lastly visited the precise place this e-book spoke of all these years in the past…Tropical North Queensland.
Spoilt with year-round heat, wealthy vibrant vistas and pure wonders, this a part of Australia is a photographer’s haven for all issues outdoorsy and delightful. From the waterfalls to the reef, there’s so many locations to go to to get amongst nature whether or not you’re mountaineering, swimming or flying excessive over the surroundings.
To sum up the areas pictures choices, I’ve put collectively a bit of information beneath to what I imagine are the ten most photogenic experiences you may have from the Atherton Tablelands to Cape Tribulation.
Firstly, a map that highlights a complete bunch of pictures places and scenic spots! Many of the places famous are talked about within the content material beneath, others are nice lookouts and locations to go to in the event you’ve acquired some further time.
Millaa Millaa Waterfall
Millaa Millaa Falls Coordinates – -17.49556° N, 145.61° E
#1 Chasing Waterfalls on the Atherton Tablelands
The place mountain ranges meet majestic waterfalls and rolling hills, the Atherton Tablelands are a gorgeous shock hidden only a 90min drive from Cairns. Right here you may wander on quite a few mountaineering trails to expertise the misty magic of some severely lovely scenes.
TLC completely stated don’t go chasing waterfalls (whats up 90’s reference!) nevertheless it’s fairly apparent they only by no means got here to this a part of the world. Waterfalls are EVERYWHERE and chasing them makes for one very photogenic day within the outside.
The Atherton Tablelands are residence to a bunch of waterfalls, some tremendous fashionable and others a bit of additional away from the car parking zone. This solely implies that in the event you’re eager for a bit of rainforest hike, chances are you’ll end up having some attractive falls all to your self!
There’s a preferred waterfall route that coves three beautiful falls alongside Teresa Creek Street. Observe this highway to go to Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls, all are nicely price a while to stare in amazement as they cascade amongst tropical surrounds.
Additional down alongside the Palmerston Freeway you’ll cross Mungalli Falls, Nandroya Falls (which requires a 40min hike) however this journey we opted for a observe that covers two falls. With a small mountaineering path jutting off into the rainforest beside the freeway, there’s a small space to drag over and park earlier than exploring the Wallicher and Tchupala Falls.
Beneath are some photographs so you may take your choose at which of them to go to, or get impressed and go to all of them!
Zillie Falls
Ellinjaa Falls
Tchupala Falls
#2 Sizzling Air Balloon flight at Dawn
Mareeba Coordinates -17.01309° N, 145.4281° E
Few issues beat the sensation of floating gently throughout the sky because the solar rises producing pastel colors so far as the attention can see. It’s an expertise I like to recommend everybody does at the least as soon as of their lifetime and as soon as that you are able to do proper right here in Mareeba, simply west of Cairns. This area is among the greatest components of Australia to
Setting off earlier than dawn, we flew with Sizzling Air Balloon Cairns and had been whisked away to a subject to observe because the balloons had been crammed up. An expertise in itself, the sound because the balloons are crammed is so unbelievable after which the adrenaline begins pumping when you bounce into the basket and await elevate off.
*For these studying who’re afraid of flying or something quick paced, this expertise is so calm and delicate that you just barely even realise you’re within the air!
As soon as the balloon gathers some peak you watch because the landscapes change beneath you, travelling over rainforest, paddocks, mango bushes and gum tree fringed creeks. If you happen to’re fortunate you’ll even spot the odd kangaroo.
The pictures alternatives are limitless up within the sky. From take off to touchdown there’s at all times one thing to seize in all instructions so make sure you search for, down, left and proper your complete flight. I’d suggest having a flexible zoom lens with you so there’s no have to waste time altering lenses. Additionally you’re unable to deliver any baggage with you so having one digicam with a helpful lens connected will hold you snap joyful!
#3 {Photograph} Turtles on the Nice Barrier Reef
Mackay Cay Coordinates – 16°02’52.2″S 145°38’54.6″E
If there’s one factor everybody’s hoping to see after they go snorkelling it’s turtles. Proper!? These little guys are so pleasant and welcoming that it looks like they’re your private tour guides as they cruise round their coral gardens utterly unfazed by their superstar standing.
Turtles might be discovered all alongside the two,300km of Nice Barrier Reef, however on this journey we photographed turtles on Mackay Reef, a brief 90 minute sail from Cape Tribulation.
When snorkelling hold an eye fixed out for any shifting coral, generally they mix in so nicely that the one method you’ll discover they’re shut by is to observe their little shells transfer as they’re nibbling on dinner. I wrote about our expertise of photographing turtles alongside some underwater pictures ideas in my earlier article so be at liberty to have a peek at ‘The Nice Barrier Reef – Above and Beneath’.
#4 Discover the plush landscapes of the Daintree Rainforest
Daintree Rainforest Coordinates – 16°12′S 145°24′E / 16.2°S 145.4°E
Crossing the Daintree River by ferry it feels a bit of such as you’re coming into the Misplaced World or Jurassic Park. Jungle-like rainforest disappears into the space for so far as the attention can see, seeming like an journey paradise the place something is feasible.
When you’re throughout the river, an excellent first cease is the Daintree Discovery Centre, the place you may climb a 25m excessive staircase and see throughout the rainforest cover or wander alongside trails and be taught concerning the numerous wildlife that decision the Daintree House. Additionally, for these actually eager to get their Jurassic feels, there are shifting dinosaurs right here too!
Additional up the highway an excellent place for lunch and a photograph cease is the Daintree Heritage Lodge. Nestled amongst the rainforest, the lodge sits above a crystal-clear billabong the place you may take a dip in contemporary water with the greenery throughout you. It’s severely lovely right here so enable for at the least two hours to soak all of it in.
#5 Seize Cape Tribulation in Morning Gentle
Myall Seaside Coordinates – 16.0846° S, 145.4686° E
With the solar rising over the Coral Sea, heading all the way down to Myall Seaside in Cape Tribulation is an effective way to {photograph} the place the rainforest meets the reef. Strolling on a boardwalk via mangroves, you’ll arrive to an open seaside stretching for roughly 2km.
If you happen to’re searching for an excellent topic to make use of in your images, I extremely suggest strolling about 100m south alongside the seaside from the place the Dubuji Boardwalk arrives. Right here you’ll discover the proper palm tree, actually, it may’t actually get extra image good than this palm that droops over the sand with the solar rising immediately behind.
Just a few hundred metres to the north of Cape Tribulation there’s one other seaside (positioned on the alternative aspect of the cape) which works nicely for sundown. Whilst you don’t get direct views of the solar dipping beneath the horizon, the encircling mountains present a gorgeous panorama to seize with the ocean and sand patterns providing nice foreground topics.
Myall Seaside at dawn…
Cape Tribulation Seaside at sundown…
#6 Sail the Coral Sea to Sandy Cays
A day on the ocean is a day nicely spent so far as I’m involved. Setting off from Cape Tribulation, you may bounce on board a luxurious catamaran with Sailaway Port Douglas (additionally working journeys from Port Douglas) and head east for a day of snorkelling on the Nice Barrier Reef.
Relying on the climate, the boat will go to any variety of reef techniques or cays and in the event you’re fortunate, you’ll be capable to step foot on Mackay Cay. This attractive sandy strip in the midst of the ocean seems like a pancake and is surrounded by probably the most vibrant colored water!
Seabirds wish to name the cay residence so that you’ll little question come throughout some birds to {photograph} but additionally be sure you take a water-resistant digicam with you in the event you can to get probably the most out of a possibility to take split-level pictures.
#7 Street Journey alongside the Captain Cook dinner Freeway
Coordinates -16°36’56.5″S 145°32’15.9″E
Between Port Douglas and Palm Cove, the Captain Cook dinner Freeway winds alongside the Coral Sea providing epic coastal surroundings and oodles of photograph spots. Port Douglas itself is worthy of some reminiscence card area with a quaint resort vibe and common markets.
On the highway although, kick issues off with dawn at Pebbly Seaside the place you may watch because the solar rises over the ocean and reap the benefits of the various rockpools crammed with clean stones…a panorama photographers dream scene.
Talking of stones, hold your eyes peeled for what has grow to be often called The Gatz Balancing Rocks. A whole lot if not hundreds of stone cairns (piles of rocks) have been positioned right here beside the ocean and it’s created such a cool panorama. If waves are crashing towards the rocks it makes for an excellent place to take some lengthy exposures, utilizing the shifting water to distinction towards the gray stones and surrounding lush background.
Additional alongside the highway you’ll discover a lot of viewpoints the place you may park the automotive and see the coast weave it’s strategy to each the north and south. A fantastic vantage level is Rex Lookout which appears over Wangetti Seaside and Unity Reef!
#8 Fly in a helicopter over the Islands + Reef
Vlasoff Cay Coordinates – 16.6576° S, 145.9906° E
Now that is the place we get into some critical bucket record stuff. Taking a helicopter experience is one factor, however pair it with the immense magnificence and overwhelming surroundings of the Nice Barrier Reef and you’ve got your self an expertise of a lifetime. We flew with Nautilus Aviation from Cairns Airport and after a fast security chat and weigh in, had been zooming above town inside minutes!
I’m unsure a lot can put together you for the primary glimpse of the reef. Because the water color modifications from browny blue to an intense turquoise and teal, you received’t be capable to put your digicam down! Photographing the Nice Barrier Reef from above is one thing that’s exhausting to place into phrases. I’m fairly positive I simply had one phrase in my vocabulary for your complete 45mins we had been up within the sky…WOW.
Taking a scenic flight from Cairns a number of the spots you may fly over embody Inexperienced Island, Vlasoff Cay (loopy lovely!), Arlington, Michaelmas and Upolu Reef. Try my earlier article for extra particulars on this expertise – ‘Nice Barrier Reef: Above and Beneath’.
Inexperienced Island
#9 {Photograph} Seascapes and Dawn on Nudey Seaside
Nudey Seaside Coordinates – 16.9353° S, 145.9830° E
Simply to make clear first up, there’s no nudey rudeyness taking place on Nudey Seaside, it’s naked backside free and someplace that you’ll want to see to imagine.
To go to Nudey Seaside you’ll have to take a 45minute ferry from Cairns to Fitzroy Island and from the resort, it’s only a quick 15minute stroll via lovely rainforest earlier than you’ll have that first peek. Boulders line the shores providing a putting distinction between the colorful reef crammed water and the white sandy shores.
If you happen to’ve acquired an underwater digicam, it’s an excellent place to pair some snorkelling with split-levels then make sure you go away time for some panorama pictures at both finish of Nudey Seaside. The seascapes listed below are so dreamy so make sure you run round and climb the boulders to hunt out contemporary vantage factors and compositions.
These fortunate sufficient to be staying on Fitzroy Island ought to reap the benefits of visiting Nudey Seaside at dawn too. Whereas the seaside is positioned on the western aspect of the island and subsequently doesn’t have direct imaginative and prescient of dawn, it does look towards the mountainous skyline round Cairns with the pastel skies producing some very photograph worthy scenes.
#10 Spend the Evening on Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island Resort Coordinates – 16.9316° S, 145.9888° E
There’s most likely not a complete lot I would like to put in writing so as to persuade you {that a} evening on a tropical island is an effective factor…it’s simply nearly as good because it sounds. Spending the evening on Fitzroy Island means you’ll be there to expertise the island as soon as the day trippers go away on the final ferry at 5pm.
Watch because the solar units over the mountains throughout the channel then get pleasure from cocktails and dinner beneath the palms. The island resort is fantastically appointed with luxurious rooms, an enormous pool and watersports centre so you may rent a snorkel and flippers to discover the reef immediately in entrance of the rooms.
If you end up on Fitzroy Island one factor you’ll want to be sure you see is the Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. Situated a brief 5minute stroll from the resort, the centre gives a spot for injured or sick turtles to get well and relaxation up earlier than being launch again into the ocean. Turtles on the centre have been discovered with plastic of their stomachs which resulting from their curious nature they’ve mistaken for jellyfish that they like to eat. Take a peek beneath at some images of Jet, who has been a resident on the centre for six months and is sort of the social butterfly!
The place to Keep in Cairns + Tropical North Queensland
Whether or not you’re eager to get amongst nature, hold it informal or splurge on some luxurious, there’s so many lovely locations to remain all through the area. Beneath are a collection of locations that I personally stayed and suggest from every of the areas talked about within the experiences above…
Pullman Cairns Worldwide, Cairns
Situated proper by Chinaman Creek and only a quick stroll from the Esplanade Lagoon, Evening Markets and Marina it’s an excellent base on your first or final evening when arriving into Cairns. The lodge foyer is such a welcoming sight with large plantation shutters actually offering that tropical feeling. The breakfast is SO price staying for plus most rooms provide nice views over town and sea. Test availability and reserving particulars right here.
Mt Quincan Crater Retreat, Atherton Tablelands
If you happen to’re seeking to expertise a soothing escape after a day of waterfall chasing, that is THE place. Really feel at one with nature and utterly off the grid in these luxurious rainforest lodges, utterly decked out with something and every thing you possibly can ever want. Every lodge has an enormous spa that appears over the plush environment, a hearth place, BBQ and a few pleasant furry guests like possums and tree climbing kangaroos! Oh, and it overlooks a volcanic crater…can it get any cooler!? Test availability and reserving particulars right here.
Mt Quincan Crater Lodge,
Ferntree Rainforest Lodge, Cape Tribulation
Tucked inside the lush environment of the Daintree Rainforest, these comfortable cabins and rooms are an excellent base for exploring all that Cape Tribulation has to supply. It’s only a quick stroll to Myall Seaside in the event you’re eager to {photograph} dawn or settle in and hearken to the rainforest birds calling the lodge residence. The lodge has an onsite restaurant which is a large bonus as a result of there’s not many choices within the space and it’s scrumptious! Test availability and charges right here.
QT Port Douglas, Port Douglas
This beautiful resort is just not solely lovely inside with fashionable décor and styling matching its tropical location, however outdoors with a lagoon pool wrapped in palms providing the proper place to take a dip.
Additionally Port Douglas has an incredible meals scene with eating places lining the principle road and overlooking the harbour. I extremely suggest the setting and scrumptious platters at Barbados! They’ve acquired some rattling high-quality Cocktails too!
QT Port Douglas
Fitzroy Island Resort
If you happen to’re going to discover the area, you need to deal with your self to an evening on this tropical island. Right here you may watch the solar dip behind the mountain vary throughout the ocean, get up to waves lapping the shores of photogenic Nudey Seaside, take a rainforest hike and meet the residents of the Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. There’s an outside bar and restaurant so you may sit beneath the palms to get pleasure from dinner, and it’s actually stress-free and quiet, a real little paradise simply 45mins by ferry from Cairns. Test availability and charges right here.
The right way to Get Round Tropical North Queensland
My advice is to rent a automotive and make the journey a pictures highway journey with limitless photograph stops. If you fly into Cairns you may rent a automotive immediately from the terminal so you may hit the highway and get began on a highway journey all through Tropical North Queensland.
There are petrol stations in most small cities all through the area and in the event you’re heading as much as Cape Tribulation you’ll simply have to pay $26 for a return journey throughout the Daintree River…so price it!
Having a automotive will allow to you enterprise out on dawn and sundown photograph missions, to attempt to arrive in places good and early to keep away from any crowds and it means you may cease every time and wherever you would like…supplied after all it’s protected to drag over 😉
If you happen to’re heading out to both Inexperienced or Fitzroy Island, ferries depart from the Reef Fleet Terminal, only a quick stroll from the Cairns Esplanade. There’s loads of parking out there close by with pricing for hourly or multi-day parking. If you’re staying in a single day on the islands, it’s greatest to park your automotive within the undercover carpark beneath The Pier constructing.
Images Ideas for the Tropics
- Hold your digicam saved in a constant temperature so that you don’t fall sufferer to the humidity! Earlier than coming into your lodge room, put your digicam in a sealed digicam bag and take a look at to not open it an excessive amount of in an air-conditioned room. In case your digicam does fog, give it a couple of minutes to regulate to the warmth earlier than turning it on so that you keep away from fogging the sensor too. Learn extra tips about coping with your digicam in humidity right here.
- Take a small towel or lens fabric with you always for humidity, condensation or any undesirable drips from the bushes or splashes from the ocean.
- Analysis the very best instances for dawn and sundown to make sure you’ve acquired sufficient journey time to reach at your chosen vacation spot.
- Dawn is your greatest likelihood at mild rays over the ocean, sundown sometimes falls behind the mountain ranges so that you’ll be handled to vibrant dusky skies as an alternative.
- Hold your eyes peeled for crocodiles when photographing in and round any water our bodies, particularly any mangrove areas within the Daintree!
Have you ever been to Cairns and Tropical North Queensland and wish to share your images or ideas? Both remark beneath or use the hashtags #thewanderinglens and #thisisqueensland on Instagram!
For extra details about the area, take a peek on the Tourism Queensland web site which is crammed with actions, experiences and itineraries.
Hiya! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 17+yrs expertise as knowledgeable journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this website is from my private expertise on the highway. I hope it’s helpful on your personal travels and would love to listen to within the feedback about your journeys and experiences all over the world.