Cape York Peninsula

Travel Guide

A lot of rain isn't always a bad thing in Cairns - it means our waterfalls look like this! With an added benefit of less crowds a visit during the 'big wet' has it's advantages! #waterlust www.cheskiesgaplife.com
A lot of rain isn't always a bad thing in Cairns - it means our waterfalls look like this! With an added benefit of less crowds a visit during the 'big wet' has it's advantages! #waterlust www.cheskiesgaplife.com
When in Australia, you will have to go and pay a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. Even just with snorkelling, there is a whole new magical world to explore. Like this turtle who swam with us for a good half an hour! Remember when travelling (and also at home) leave only footprints, only take photographs. #Aquatrove
One of the best ways to experience a place is from the skies. If you feel like splurging, a helicopter flight over Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef is a must-do when visiting Tropical North Queensland in Australia.
The Mossman River is a beautiful part of the Daintree Rainforest in Tropical North Queensland - you can do a guided SUP tour down the river with Windswell Port Douglas, the best way to experience the rainforest and river, with lots of swimming holes and tree swings along the way.

Where to stay in Cape York Peninsula

Palm Cove showing a beach, a garden and tropical scenes

Palm Cove

Palm Cove is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Palm Cove Beach and Vie Spa Palm Cove.

Palm Cove
Cairns which includes a city

Cairns Central Business District

4.5/5(264 area reviews)

Cairns Central Business District is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Esplanade Lagoon and Cairns Marlin Marina, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Tropical North Waterfront.

Cairns Central Business District
Trinity Beach showing landscape views, tropical scenes and a beach

Trinity Beach

Travelers to Trinity Beach praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach.

Trinity Beach
Yorkeys Knob showing tranquil scenes and mountains

Yorkeys Knob

Yorkeys Knob is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Yorkeys Knob Beach and Half Moon Bay Golf Course.

Yorkeys Knob
Cairns Esplanade which includes night scenes

Cairns North

Beaches and abundant dining options are well-reviewed features of Cairns North. Make a stop by top sights like Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland while you're exploring the area.

Cairns North
Clifton Beach featuring mountains, a luxury hotel or resort and golf

Clifton Beach

Travelers come to Clifton Beach for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like Clifton Beach and Palm Cove Beach while you're in town.

Clifton Beach
See our Where To Stay guide
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

5 out of 5
Port Douglas Road Port Douglas QLD
$219 nightly
The price is $241 total per night from Jan 31 to Feb 1
$241 total
Jan 31 - Feb 1
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Port Douglas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 12 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Staff were amazing!!

Reviewed on Jan 17, 2026

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

5 out of 5
Pierpoint Road Cairns QLD
$138 nightly
The price is $152 total per night from Jan 30 to Jan 31
$152 total
Jan 30 - Jan 31
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
Great room and great property with excellent staff!

Reviewed on Jan 16, 2026

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns

5 out of 5
34 Esplanade Cairns QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$114 nightly
The price is $125 total per night from Jan 29 to Jan 30
$125 total
Jan 29 - Jan 30
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
The room had a nice view of the river. The staff in the Bar and Restaurant were very friendly and helpful. The food and service was very good.

Reviewed on Jan 17, 2026

Hilton Cairns
See all 2,168 properties in Cape York Peninsula
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Southern Cross Atrium Apartments

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments

4 out of 5
3-11 Water Street Cairns QLD
Stay at this aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,605 reviews)
Everything was as expected.

Reviewed on Jan 15, 2026

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments
Drift Palm Cove

Drift Palm Cove

4 out of 5
Cnr Veivers Rd Williams Esp Palm Cove QLD
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (860 reviews)
Clean and spacious room, comfortable stay, and a great location. Staff were friendly and helpful. Would stay again.

Reviewed on Jan 19, 2026

Drift Palm Cove
Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa

Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa

5 out of 5
Mitre Street Craiglie QLD
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Craiglie. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Vie Spa Port Douglas ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,020 reviews)
Everything was awesome thank you A+A+A+

Reviewed on Nov 25, 2025

Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa
See all properties in Cape York Peninsula
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cairns Esplanade which includes a pool, swimming and a luxury hotel or resort

Cairns Esplanade

Stroll along the boardwalk surrounded by palms tree and landscaped gardens and watch the sun set over the Coral Sea.

Cairns Esplanade
Take a wide angle lens if you're heading out to the Barrier Reef- the skies are amazing!

Macrossan Street

During your visit to Port Douglas, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Macrossan Street. Amble around the area's waterfront or seek out the local tours.

Macrossan Street
Four Mile Beach featuring a sandy beach and general coastal views

Four Mile Beach

One of the most-photographed stretches of beach in Australia has pristine white sands, waving palm trees, clear blue water and spectacular views across the ocean.

Four Mile Beach
Palm Cove Beach featuring a beach, tropical scenes and general coastal views

Palm Cove Beach

Located in between the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, this palm tree-lined beach is an idyllic spot to take it easy or begin an adventure.

Palm Cove Beach
One of best things to do in Cairns is ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway. It's a 90 minute journey that takes you down the mountain to Cairns passing waterfalls, scenic lookouts and over old bridges. Catch the Skyrail up the mountain from Cairns and then catch the train back down. Or, vice versa.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre

During your visit to Tropical North Waterfront, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Discover the beautiful coral reefs in this walkable area, or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre
Esplanade Lagoon featuring a coastal town and a hotel

Esplanade Lagoon

Relax after a day of sightseeing or cool down from the summer heat in this fresh-water lagoon, one of Cairns’ best city attractions.

Esplanade Lagoon

Cities near Cape York Peninsula

Adobe

Cooktown

Most of Horn Island is protected by Native Title, but King Point has been designated as a recreational area so you can picnic, fish and camp. Imagine walking out of your tent to this view??!! Bringing a car across to Horn Island is hugely expensive so you're best way to get here is by foot on the ferry from Thursday Island and catch a taxi or take a tour to get around.

Horn Island

Panoramic view of the port and dock of Thursday Island in the Torres Strait at the most northern part of Australia.

Thursday Island

Mareeba featuring a small town or village and landscape views

Mareeba