Tablelands e Cassowary Coast

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.

Mission Beach stretches a string of golden sands fringed by rainforest along the tropical Queensland coast, where the Great Barrier Reef and the humid Wet Tropics jungle meet within steps of one another. It is one of the rare places to spot the southern cassowary, the towering flightless bird that lives in the dense growth behind the shore. From here excursions set out to Dunk Island and the coral reefs, while white-water rafting on the Tully River and skydiving draw those seeking adventure. Mission Beach is the ideal stop for warm seas, wild nature and an unhurried pace.