Luxury Escapes Guide to Tropical North Queensland

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a meal at Osprey’s Restaurant is worth a thousand bites. An open-sided pavilion style restaurant located high among the treetops at Thala Beach Nature Reserve, Osprey’s Restaurant is best enjoyed for lunch when forest-clad mountain and Coral Sea views are visible all the way to the horizon. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Hervey Bay scallops, served tartare with native finger lime and crispy guanciale, or the spicy nduja gnocchi with cloudy bay clams.

This is the original farmhouse café. A must for lovers of fine food, the family-run Mungalli Dairy is a hidden gem just 10 minutes from Milla Milla Waterfall. Here, everything is made, produced and crafted onsite to ensure only the finest paddock-to-plate dining. Pull up a seat on the cafe’s verandah overlooking the Johnston River Gorge and Bartle Frere — Queensland’s highest mountain — and enjoy the flavours of generations of family recipes, including Dan’s beef and burgundy Pie and Moni’s swiss crepes.

Beachfront, barefoot, serving bodacious modern Australian cuisine – Palm Cove’s Nu Nu Restaurant is is a sensation that’s both picture and palate-perfect. Framed by swaying palms and overlooking the striking Coral Sea, this local institution balances seasonal and sophisticated with laidback excellence. The restaurant’s humble approach is best displayed in dishes such as “the best fruit we can possibly source,” a cheeky reminder of the region’s incredible produce, and favourites such as the wok-fried north Queensland mudcrab with chilli jam “and all the trimmings”.

Dine among the forest canopy and celebrate the richness and diversity of TNQ’s food bowl at Treehouse Restaurant. Championing a seasonal menu featuring fresh ingredients, this glamorous restaurant is tucked within Silky Oaks Lodge, and refreshes and dazzles with local seafood, nuts, chocolate and equatorial fruits and vegetables. Treehouse Restaurant also prides itself on its wide range of local craft, small-batch spirits and beers – perfect for those thirsty nights in the great wilderness beyond.

There’s nothing more breathtaking than witnessing the sunrise from a hot air balloon floating high in the sky. With its spectacular scenery of rolling hills, forests enveloped in emerald and spectacular plummeting waterfalls, it is no surprise Atherton Tablelands is the ballooning capital of Australia. Expect a unique five-star experience with Hot Air Balloon, which includes a memorable 40-minute flight over the region followed by celebratory sparkling wine on landing.

Australia’s self-styled spa capital, Palm Cove is simply unmissable for its chill vibes and abundance of day spas, including Peppers Beach Club & Spa, Alamanda Spa and Palm Cove Retreat Day Spa. Set your mind to relaxation mode and succumb to absolute pampering in tranquil locations surrounded by tropical greenery and open to the sky for a clothes-optional soul-enriching treatment for body and soul.

For serious thrill factor, be engulfed in a cloud of mist as thunder falls spectacularly down Barron Gorge with an exhilarating half-day white-water rafting experience. This adrenaline-pumping adventure invites you to tumble endlessly over water-sculpted rocks, through the narrow gorge walls and see the rugged beauty of the rainforest from an utterly unique perspective. If this is your first-time water rafting, you will be well-catered for with roundtrip transfers from Cairns, the services of professional river guides, shoe hire and Barron Gorge National Park entry.

Tropical North Queensland is all about the great outdoors – and what better way to see the depths of the world-heritage Daintree Rainforest than on a zipline speeding above it all? Zoom above the ancient rainforest from a bird’s eye view perspective as you soar through the leafy canopy 15m above the forest floor. Ziplining tickets also include an informative local guide and access to the relaxing Treetop Walk, a more sedate yet equally beautiful way to take in the scenery.

Get up close and personal with the magical marine wildlife of the Great Barrier Reef with a luxury snorkeling sailing cruise. Bathe on the white sandy beaches, snorkel over magnificent coral gardens and swim with turtles all while being guided by an expert marine biologist. Take a trip on the glass-bottom boat or explore coral cays on guided heritage walks. With an experienced skipper and deck hand to take care of all the pesky navigation you can sit back and savour the freedom of being on the open sea in capable hands.

Immerse yourself in Tropical North Queensland with Luxury Escapes’ hand-picked Experiences. We’ve curated a selection of cultural activities, adrenaline thrills, food adventures and luxury add-ons to help you discover your destination. These Experiences are bookable when you purchase your next escape. Simply select your travel dates and number of travellers for any package, and opt to tailor your escape by selecting the available Experiences.