8 Great Reasons To Visit Cairns & Tropical North Queensland

T here's always plenty of reasons to grab a quick flight to Cairns and explore tropical North Queensland. We take a look at some great ways to explore all that's exciting and new after you jump in a Cairns car rental and hit the road for some great adventures.

Exclusive Winemaker's Weekend

Penfolds winemaker Andrew Hales will host a long weekend at Lizard Island to celebrate 175 years of Penfolds on November 15-17. Special menus will be created to pair with wines from The Penfolds Collection 2019 including the 65th release of Penfolds' 2015 Grange. Champagne at sunset, degustation dinners and wine masterclasses will be held in the luxurious island setting on the Great Barrier Reef. More: lizardisland.com.au

The Hipster Influence

Funky laneway art, hidden bars, a vintage record store, elite barbers and cafes with a conscience have sprung up in the Cairns CBD thanks to the influence of the Hipster culture. Discover these new hangouts on the Hipster and Street Art Tour with Cairns Urban Walking Tours. Georgia Babatsikos also hosts food-lover tours of Rusty's Markets and a Cairns history tour. More: www.cairnsurbanwalkingtours.com.au

Walk across a gorge

Cobbold Gorge can now be enjoyed from above and below with the October 13 opening of a glass bridge spanning its sheer sandstone walls. Accessible on the Savannah Way, gorge tours can be done in an electric boat, on a stand-up paddle board, by helicopter, and by hiking with a Savannah Guide. Located on a cattle station, the gorge is Queensland's youngest at just 10,000 years of age. More www.cobboldgorge.com.au

Crystalbrook in Cairns

Meet artists-in-residence, celebrate Australian heritage at a nostalgic milk bar, and dine on locally grown beef at Bailey, the newest hotel in the Crystalbrook Collection. Opening on November 2 in the Cairns CBD, Bailey's 217 rooms appeal to your inner artist and details like coat hangers made from recycled cardboard will ensure your stay has as little impact on the environment as possible. More crystalbrookcollection.com/bailey

Return of the Reef Feast

Reef Feast Palm Cove returns this year on October 4-6 to celebrate the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region's fresh produce, live music and lifestyle. Enjoy the Longest Lunch on Friday, feast and dance under the stars on Saturday and come back for more great food and the markets on Sunday. Held on Palm Cove's Williams Esplanade, the three-day celebration makes the most of the stunning beachside location. More reeffeast.com.au

Cooktown celebrates 250

The program has been finalised for Cooktown Expo 2020 with a regional showcase from July 17 to August 4 in the town where James Cook beached the Endeavour 250 years ago. Three key events showcase the region's history – Reconciliation Rock Music Festival, Cooktown Discovery Festival and the Endeavour Festival. Visit the HM Bark Endeavour replica, taste bush tucker, take a local language workshop and learn to weave in between enjoying the entertainment. More cooktown2020.com

Relax in the Rainforest

Relax in the natural surrounds of mist at Cape Tribulation where every room has a view worth savouring. The luxury boutique accommodation has pavilions boasting 50 square metres of living space including a large covered outdoor deck with a daybed overlooking the world's oldest rainforest. Guests are greeted with champagne and a cheese platter and can head straight to the creek for a dip, pick tropical fruits from the orchard, or snooze in a garden hammock. More mistatcapetribulation.com.au

Join a Foodie Tour

Eat and drink you way around Cairns with an expert foodie so you don't miss any of the city's new hotspots. Award-winning restaurants and tucked away gems are included in the Cairns Boutique Walking Tours which can focus on sweet treats, hidden bars and cocktails, or include a bit of everything with a Taste of Cairns. More cairnsboutiquetours.com.au

Check out our Driving Holidays Cairns recommendations!