Tropical North - 2 nts Mungumby - 1 nt Daintree - 2 nts Atherton

Cooktown stands at the mouth of the Endeavour River in the far north of Queensland, where in 1770 Captain James Cook beached his ship Endeavour to repair it. From Grassy Hill, where Cook once searched for a passage through the reefs, the view sweeps across the coast and the ocean. The town is the gateway to the remote Cape York Peninsula and to Black Mountain National Park, with its enigmatic mounds of blackened rock. It is a destination for those seeking history, wild nature and the appeal of an Australia that remains authentic and far from the beaten track.

Daintree shelters one of the oldest rainforests on the planet, in the tropical north of Queensland, where the jungle meets the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient forest teems with extraordinary biodiversity, among giant ferns, winding rivers and rare species such as the cassowary. Canopy walks, river cruises in search of crocodiles and secluded beaches like Cape Tribulation make every visit unique. A primeval corner of nature, where two World Heritage Sites meet at the shore.

A fertile plateau rising behind Queensland's tropical coast, the Atherton Tablelands surprise with their contrast to the nearby beaches: here the cooler climate nurtures rainforests, waterfalls and volcanic lakes. Among their highlights are the Millaa Millaa Falls, the crater lakes of Eacham and Barrine, and giant trees such as the Curtain Fig Tree with its dramatic roots. The region is a land of crops — coffee, tea, tropical fruit and chocolate — and of encounters with nocturnal wildlife, including rare platypuses and tree-kangaroos. Just a short drive from Cairns, it is a green oasis perfect for lovers of nature, gastronomy and a peaceful pace.