Cairns is home to the most incredible natural landscapes and spectacular rainforests. It is situated 1,700 kilometres north of Brisbane, North Queensland and located on a coastal strip between the Coral Sea and the Great Dividing Range where anyone can get the best view of nature.
If you enjoy walking and you can’t figure out where your next destination is, worry no more as we will give you some incredible ideas where to spend those exciting hours of your life.
Mossman Gorge
Mossman Gorge is first on the list. It is 80 kilometres north of the regional town of Cairns which is situated in the southern part of the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park. If you happen to be around the area, don’t skip the chance to get a feel of the Aboriginal culture through a rainforest walk with an indigenous guide.
Embark on a 45-minute easy and comfortable 2.4 km walk on the Rainforest Circuit Track where you can find comfort with the surrounding lush green rainforest and beautifully framed mountains. This track begins on the far side of the Rex Creek bridge.
If you are in a hurry but still want to enjoy the majestic beauty of Mossman George’s nature, you may want to give Baral Marrjanga a try. From the shuttle bus stop, a path will lead you through the rainforest with the scenic views of mountain ranges beyond. This journey would only take you around 5-10 minutes as the trail was made perfect for everybody and suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, and the vision-impaired.
Mossman Gorge is a 2 km drive from the Town of Mossman. If you plan to consider this amazing trip, self-drive is the best option. But if you want to add more adventure to your journey, you may want to consider commuting. Bus shuttle services are available from the Mossman Gorge Centre in the heart of the Gorge where you can walk at your own pace as you appreciate the grandiose walking trails around the national park.
Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island is a 339-hectare island which is a 45-minute away paradise from Crains in Tropical Queensland. It is within the calm sheltered waters of the Great Barrier Reef, which is covered with rainforest, beaches and arched with a wide range of flora and fauna.
If you fancy hiking or walking, Fitzroy Island is just right for you and your family as the whole island is composed of around 97% National park perfectly suited for short, easy walks for all ages and fitness levels. Here are some of the exciting walks you can take in the island:
Boulder Lookout
Boulder lookout is a short walk which has some steep steps that you need to pay attention while navigating the trail. The whole walk will only take about 30 minutes, starting by walking east from the Fitzroy Island jetty. The main highlight of this trail is the vast panoramic views that stretch from Cairns to Cape Grafton.
Nudey Beach Track
Another best attraction in Fitzroy Island is their award winning white coral beach Nudey Beach which was voted as Australia’s #2 best beach. Here, you’ll get to experience the crystal-blue waters, best for snorkelling, swimming or just unwinding at the beach.
Before rewarding yourself with this magical part of the island, you may fancy yourself with a 45-minute walk through the Nudey Beach Track where you will be surrounded by dense tropical rainforest and coastal woodlands.
Lighthouse Road
Fitzroy Island is a magical place where you can get great viewing experience while walking along the Lighthouse Road such as the lighthouse itself and vintage cottages that evokes an interesting and breathtaking feeling. The Lighthouse Road is a 2-hour walk which is a 3.6 km return trip up a steep concrete road from the north-eastern point of Welcome Bay.
If you’re lucky to see a ranger on duty, you’ll get to experience stunning 360-degree views of Fitzroy Island and the astonishing Coral Sea. Indeed, the Lighthouse Road is a stylish, vibrant and an edgy getaway that everyone should put in their Cairns bucket list.
Summit Track
If you’re a fit walker and looking for something longer, exciting yet intensive walk, the Summit Track is perfect for you. The Summit Track is a 2.6 km return walk which takes for approximately 3 hours to finish as the terrain the walkers have to pass is very steep unlike any other track in the island.
However, the walk is still certainly worth it as the challenge you’ll experience will be outweighed by the breathtaking viewing platforms along the way and the magnificent views from the top.
Barron Gorge National Park
Barron Gorge National Park is a spectacular protected area in the Cairns Region, Queensland filled with rugged rainforest-clad mountains, remarkable wildlife viewings and amazing waterfalls. The national park is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and is situated within the locality of Barron Gorge, which is 1,404 km northwest of Brisbane and 2 km away from Kuranda.
The national park offers exciting historic walking tracks suitable for tourists of all age groups which duration varies for about 30 minutes to 6 hours. Whether you’re into a serene rainforest walk or a stimulating long distance hike, Barron Gorge National Park will surely give you an epic experience as you will be trekking along a terrain, finding yourself under the towering canopy of the green lush rainforest.
