Cairns Hire Car

Tarzali Lakes

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:59:10 +0000

The Tarzali Lakes Aquaculture Centre is an accredited environmental reserve, located at Tarzali on the Atherton Tablelands. This sprawling 40 acre property provides habitat for over 50,000 fish in its 16 ponds, including Barramundi, Golden Perch, Jade Perch, Red Claw and Eels, numerous freshwater turtles, platypus, possums, tree kangaroos and over 130 bird species. Open to the public from 10am to 5pm daily, some of the activities available at Tarzali Lakes include, but are not limited to: fishing and fresh fish sales; meals and refreshments in the Smokehouse Café; smoked meat and deli goods; commercial aquaculture; aqua golf; bird watching; platypus and nocturnal tours (pre booking is essential for the tours please). Limited camping facilities are available at non powered camp sites.

Why not combine fishing with camping at a Tarzali Lakes Fish Over. This unique experience includes camping (bring your own tent) and night fishing by the largest, illuminated lake. It is just $40 per person, which includes camp fees, fishing rod, bait and burley. Food is available at the kiosk and pre-booking is essential.

If you prefer not to fish, you can still engage with our ponds and wildlife through fish feeding or nature tours. A must see is the eel feeding frenzy (make sure you keep an eye out for one of the resident sea eagles) and Tarzali Lakes proudly offers the only “No See, No Fee” platypus tours on the Tablelands. Platypus tours must be pre-booked and last between 30-minutes and one hour. Nocturnal tours are also available, giving you the chance to see some rare and endangered wildlife including Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroos, possums and echidnas.

Tarzali Lakes is located half way between Milla Milla and Malanda, on the Milla-Malanda Road. GPS coordinates are 17° 27′ 54.00″ S / 145° 35′ 15.60″ E. For more information, or to pre-book a tour, contact Tarzali Lakes phone (07) 4097 2713 or email info@tarzalilakes.com

Mareeba Wetlands

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 06:20:48 +0000

The Mareeba Tropical Savannas and Wetlands provide a unique outback experience, just over an hour from Cairns. The 5,000 acre savanna reserve was developed by the Mareeba Wetland Foundation, a community-based membership organisation. Its lagoons, channels and wetlands are a sanctuary for much of tropical Australia’s savanna and wetland wildlife and cultural heritage.

The wetlands offers unique accommodation options, in the form of African-style safari tents. The tariff for staying at wetlands’ Jabiru Safari Lodge is inclusive of accommodation, meals, daily wildlife safari tours, canoeing and membership in the Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland. Clancy’s Lagoon is the heart of the attraction and has an interpretive centre and covered deck. There are a range of activities you can enjoy including wildlife safaris, walking trails, boat tours, kayaking and bird-watching. Day visitors are also welcome.

Tanks Arts Centre

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 02:01:26 +0000

Tanks Arts Centre is a vibrant, multi-use, contemporary arts facility situated in the Cairns Botanic Gardens precinct, 4km north of the Cairns CBD on Collins Avenue. Housed in three converted World War 2 naval oil storage tanks, Tanks Arts centre presents an exciting program of visual and performance art throughout the year, in its historic venue, surrounded by lush rainforest. Indeed, the venue itself is an attraction, where you can see the rainforest flora reclaiming the concrete stairs and wrapping itself around the tanks. Art exhibitions are free and displayed in Tank 4 which is open weekdays and weekends. Musical events are usually ticketed and range from local to domestic and international artists. Free market days are held on the last Sunday of every month from April to November.

Kite Surfing

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 01:10:39 +0000

Yorkeys Knob beach is the kite surfing destination for Cairns, Tropical North Queensland. From April to November, this wide beach receives strong south-easterly trade winds, attracting kite surfers from around the city, country and world. Perfect for advanced kite surfers, Yorkeys Knob is also a great place to learn this adrenalin pumping sport and local company Kite Rite, offers lessons for people of all abilities. From group lessons held over the weekend to one-on-one tuition with personalised attention, lessons can be booked by the hour, as a two day certificate course or three day advanced course. Owner / operator Chris Rose can even arrange the ultimate kiting experience: kiting on the Great Barrier Reef, this is an experience you will never forget.

Peppers Bale

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:23:45 +0000

Peppers Bale is the ultimate in luxury accommodation. The pavilion-style accommodation is inspired by properties across South East Asia, designed to create exquisite retreats for guests who wish to immerse themselves in a tropical paradise, with total privacy. Each sanctuary has been built in harmony with Feng Shui principles, over gently flowing water under shingle clad with temple like pavilion roofs. Choose from one, two, three or four bedroom sanctuaries, each with their own private plunge pool, poolside pavilion with day bed, premium facilities and full kitchen, lounge and dining spaces. Emerge from your retreat to enjoy the resorts other features including a heated pool, the Blae Day Spa, Club Lounge or Fitness Studio. Some Hollywood stars have slipped in and out of Peppers Bale, enjoying a tropical paradise without the press. This is an indulgent, private escape.

Yorkeys Knob Marina

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:07:50 +0000

The Half Moon Bay Marina at Yorkeys Knob was constructed in 1994 at a cost of $12 million. The marina supplies power, water and shelter to over 200 berths that are protected from trade winds by Yorkeys Knob headland, a natural feature that rises 100 metres above sea level. The marina is a lovely place to stroll along the water, admiring the boats and Coral Sea scenery. If you get peckish there are a few options for your consideration, the Yorkeys Knob Boat Club or a BBQ on the beach. The Boat Club is adjacent to the marina and has the only overwater, undercover deck in Cairns, providing the best place to sit back and watch the sun set over the Coral Sea. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Alternatively, make use of the free BBQ facilities that are scattered along the Yorkeys Knob beachfront. Often situated next to a playground, it is first in, best dressed with these facilities, which are popular with locals.

Krys the Normanton Crocodile

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:21:33 +0000

Everything in the outback is BIG: the distances you have to travel, the size of their wet season, the open plains and the wildlife. An example of just how big the critters in the Gulf can get is conveniently on display in the LEW Henry Park, behind the Council Chambers, in Normanton. Believe me, you can’t miss this! This large, life size model of a saltwater crocodile will pretty much guarantee you behave with water safety first and foremost in your mind during your Gulf of Carpentaria visit. “Krys” the crocodile measures nearly 9m long and 4m wide! He was shot in the 1950s by a local lady called Krystina Pawloski.

Hell’s Gate

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:21:12 +0000

Don’t be fooled by its name, Hell’s Gate is on the fringe of the spectacular eastern escarpments of the Barkly Tablelands and provides amazing views over the flood plains of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Its name relates to its somewhat ‘bloody’ history. It was at Hell’s Gate that the area’s original Aboriginal inhabitants made a stand against the arrival of European settlers. The conflict was fierce and many settlers thought twice about passing through the area, to reach the rich pastoral lands that lay beyond. The Waanyi, Gungalita and Gawara people are the traditional people of the area and the caves around Hell’s Gate are the natural galleries for these people, their walls recording their histories through rock art.

The Burketown Cemetery

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:20:47 +0000

Cemetery’s may not rank highly on your list of places to visit, however, they are free and they definitely provide an interesting insight into a region’s history. Indeed, I bet you did not know that the Burketown Cemetery is believed to be the home to the largest mass grave in Australia. Eerie. Australia did not suffer the plaque, but its outback gold fields were hit with ‘Gold Fever’ disease in the 1800s: thought to be typhoid or malaria, ‘Gold Fever’ swept across the Gulf Savannah at the height of the gold rush, leaving many miners dead in its wake. Tombstones in the Burketown Cemetery date back to the 1860s and the names provide a historical of those who came seeking their fortunes.

Morning Glory Clouds

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:20:25 +0000

The Morning Glory Clouds are a rare meteorological phenomenon that appear in the Gulf of Carpentaria between September and October, rolling in over the township of Burketown. These amazing clouds can be up to 1,000 kilometres long (longer than Britain), stretch from horizon to horizon and travel at speeds of up to 60km per hour! Cloud height varies, but can be between one and two kilometers high. Often accompanied by sudden wind squalls and intense low-level wind shears, the Morning Glory Clouds attract cloud enthusiasts and gliders from around the world. Please note though, patience is a virtue when waiting for a Morning Glory: they are not daily and do not keep a schedule.

Croydon Chinese Temple Site

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:20:03 +0000

Croydon is located on the Savannahway drive and is a historic centre in Tropical North Queensland’s Gulf Savannah. Once a thriving mining centre, today Croydon is a small, isolated community but with a rich cultural heritage. A popular place to visit is the Chinese Temple Site, which is a short drive from town on the road to Lake Belmore. This is the site of the original Chinatown and location of the 1904 Temple, which was restored as a part of the Centenary of Federation project. The remains of the original temple are complemented by the Chinese Heritage Trail and interpretive signage. A visit here will provide an interesting insight in the golden era of outback development. Entry is free.

Bloomfield Track

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:15:31 +0000

This one is just for those with a 4WD please. The infamous Bloomfield Track links the rugged Cape Tribulation with the Bloomfield River. There are creek crossings (treacherous depending on the time of year), steep climbs and descents (up to 33%), lots of mud and unimproved surfaces. So why go? The Bloomfield Track is a 32km journey which takes you through stunning rainforest, crosses mighty creeks, climbs ranges and takes you north to Bloomfield and Cooktown. It takes you past the historical site of the Daintree Blockade, which is the site of public outcry in the 1980s which led to the World Heritage listing of the area. It is a mighty track of exploration and adventure.

The Beaches

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:13:32 +0000

There are seven beaches in the Daintree and Cape Tribulation region. Each of them is simply stunning and absolutely free to visit. Cape Kimberley is the closest beach to the Daintree River and you can walk its shores to the mouth of the river. Coy Bay is a little further along the coast and provides the ideal ‘deserted beach’ destination. For the rainforest meets the reef beach, you can not go past Thornton Beach, which also allows you to walk along the shore to the mouth of Cooper Creek. Coconut Beach has fringing reefs, which can be explored at low tide, and is best accessed via Cape Tribulation Resort and Spa. Myall Beach is next and is located on the southern side of the Cape Tribulation headland. Cape Tribulation Beach is on the headland’s northern side and is the most sheltered location from the south east trade winds. Finally, there Emmagen Beach, but this one is not for swimming as crocodiles have been known to frequent the area. The walking track down to this beach is marked by a giant strangler fig, which is about 800m south of Emmagen Creek.

Alexandra Range Lookout

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:13:08 +0000

The Alexandra Range is about 11km from the Daintree River Ferry Crossing. The Range Lookout provides amazing views over the coastal hinterland, where you can see the Daintree River winding its way out through the rainforest to enter the Coral Sea. As well as views, the lookout is also the beginning point of six public visitor sites / walks. Jindalba can be enjoyed as a 700m looped rainforest walk, or 2.7km track for the more energetic. Marrdja is another easy 1km loop, which showcases the transition from rainforest to mangrove. Dubuji is slightly longer at 1.2km and takes you through rare rainforest, freshwater swamps and provides access to Myall Beach. Finally, Kulki is an 400m pathway, ending in a lookout over Cape Tribulation Beach. This is a popular spot and the car park is often full. If this is the case, you should drive on to another site or return later in the day.

Daintree National Park

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:12:46 +0000

The mighty Daintree National Park is almost as famous as the Great Barrier Reef and like the reef, visiting this natural wonder is completely free, if you have your own transport. Part of the park can be accessed at Mossman Gorge, on the Cairns side of the Daintree River; the rest of it is a ferry ride away. The Daintree River ferry operates daily, except Christmas Day and Good Friday, from 6am to midnight. Conventional two-wheel drive vehicles can access the Daintree National Park as far as Cape Tribulation, after that 4WDs are recommended. For self-drivers, there are a number of campsites throughout the Daintree, as well as walking tracks and lookouts. There are free picnic areas, BBQ facilities and toilets. Permits are required for camping, check with the Department of Environment and Resource Management.

Daintree Village

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:12:21 +0000

Daintree Village is the unofficial entry point to the Daintree National Park. Located on the banks of the mighty Daintree River (Cairns side), the Village boasts a variety of galleries, restaurants, stores, picnic areas and complimentary BBQ facilities. Nestled amongst ancient rainforest and bordered by the river, Daintree Village is an animal lovers paradise. Some of the wildlife you will see here includes saltwater crocodiles, butterflies, kingfishers and possums. Established in the 1870s by timber-cutters, Daintree Village has evolved to a community enjoying relative isolation and embracing the beauty of the surrounding natural environment. You do not have to use the ferry to get to Daintree Village, where the pace is easy and the mood relaxed. Take your time to soak up the ambience.

Mangrove Boardwalk – Cairns Airport

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:10:11 +0000

Although not strictly at the Cairns Beaches, the Mangrove Boardwalk at Cairns Airport is on the way to the beaches, as you drive north from Cairns city. There are two separate walks here, a northern walk, which is 700m long and includes a viewing tower and observation platform by a saltwater creek and the southern walk, which is 600m long and has a viewing tower over Cairns city and the inlet’s seagrass beds. These comfortable and easy grade walks, allow you to explore Cairns’ mangrove system, with 11 different mangrove species visible alongside the boardwalk. These walks are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week but are not lit, so you should visit during the day.

Barron River Fishing

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:08:32 +0000

The mighty Barron River is a great place to go fishing and its free. The Barron River winds its way across the Atherton Tablelands, through Lake Tinaroo and down the Barron Gorge, over the Barron Falls, before making its way to sea, between the Cairns Airport and Machans Beach. For keen anglers, the Barron River is home to most tropical river and estuary fish species, including grunter, jacks, bream, trevally, salmon and even the occasional barramundi. There are many places you can drop a line, including the old Kamerunga Bridge, which is upstream from the Captain Cook Highway in the small suburb of Stratford, or on the sand flats at the mouth in Machans Beach.

Cattana Wetlands

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:08:11 +0000

Cattana Wetlands is an 80 hectare reserve, which was rehabilitated from degraded land into a nature conservation park by Cairns Regional Council. The site was originally a sugar cane farm, before it was used as a sand mining quarry and finally was purchased by the council to protect the 30 hectares of remaining lowlands rainforest on the site. As a part of the rehabilitation works, council has planted over 10,000 native plants and undertaken extensive weed removal which has enabled water bird populations to flourish. Cattana Wetlands is open every day of the year from 5.30am to 7.00pm and can be accessed from the suburb of Yorkeys Knob or via Dunne Road in Smithfield.

Palm Cove

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:07:27 +0000

Palm Cove is Cairns best beach for tourists. It has previously been awarded the prestigious Australia’s Cleanest Beach title and is a long, golden stretch of sand, bordered by swaying palm trees with views over the Coral Sea. The best thing about it? It’s completely free. Although Palm Cove is home to an array of prestigious, five-star resorts, hotels, spas and restaurants, the beach itself is free. As is the jetty, which is a great place to hang out with the locals and drop a line. So, take your time, stroll the golden sands, pull up some sand under a palm tree and cool off in the waters of the Coral Sea. If you get hungry, you can choose to get takeaway fish and chips and eat it on the beach, dine alfresco overlooking the water or enjoy some contemporary cuisine in one of the many establishments that line the waterfront.