Regions of the Wet Tropics

The Wet Tropics encompasses many unique regions, all with their own distinct communities, landscapes and attractions and it’s the only place in the world where two World Heritage Areas exist side by side—the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics. 

The connection between land and sea Country has always been recognised by Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples through their stories, songlines and traditional lores and customs. This makes the Area an exceptional and desirable destination offering a breadth of world class natural and cultural experiences.

Northern Wet Tropics

Cassowary at Cape Tribulation - Kuku Yalanji Country - Tourism Tropical North Queensland
Photographer: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

The region from Port Douglas to Cooktown offers a range of attractions including a magnificent coastal drive, spectacular rainforest and a taste of the rugged and remote landscape of Cape York Peninsula. North of Palm Cove, the highway hugs the undulating coastline as it winds its way toward Port Douglas, making for spectacular views. Visitors are treated to rugged mountain backdrops with breathtaking coastal vistas. The Daintree is renowned as a place where the rainforest meets the reef, and is home to many unique species of wildlife with ancient lineages.
 

Tablelands Wet Tropics

Curtain Fig Tree - Tableland Yidinji Country - Tourism Tropical North Queensland
Photographer: Tourism Tropical North QueenslandAlso referred to as the Cairns Highlands, including the Atherton and Evelyn tablelands, this region offers a variety of landscapes with its mosaic patterns of rainforest fragments, eucalypt woodlands, unique volcanic craters, lakes, waterfalls, lush forests and mountains. The climate is much cooler here offering respite to visitors as they enjoy the rainforest. The stunning crater lakes, Millaa Millaa Falls, the elusive Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo, and majestic fig trees are some of the highlights of this region.


Cairns and Kuranda

Baron Falls
Photographer: Campbell ClarkeFlowing streams, waterfalls and gorges etch their way through thick lush rainforest surrounding the tropical city of Cairns, offering a variety of natural and cultural experiences. This tourism hub offers easy access to stunning beaches and spectacular rainforest-cloaked mountains. Kuranda is a busy tourist village and a popular day trip from Cairns. There are many unique offerings from the wildlife attractions to the spectacular natural environment. Din Din (Barron Falls) and the sheer gorge are highlights, especially in the wet season when the river is in flood. 

Central Wet Tropics and Cassowary Coast

Josephine Falls
Photographer: Campbell ClarkeThis region contains the largest parcel of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and includes Queensland’s two highest mountains—the mist-shrouded Bartle Frere and Bellenden Ker. The lush green coastline, that includes the well-known tourist destination of Mission Beach, is the wettest in Australia receiving as much as four metres of rain each year. Many visit the area in order to spot the elusive southern cassowary. The  white-water rapids of the Tully River and picturesque Cardwell Spa Pool are popular attractions.


Southern Wet Tropics

Wallaman Falls - Warrgamay Country
Photographer: Steven Nowakowski

The southern parts of the Wet Tropics include the rugged Paluma and Seaview ranges which loom above the farming communities on the coastal plain. This is the dry end of the tropics. The forests here are different to those in the north and feature magnificent stands of tall eucalypt forest and dry tropical open woodlands typify this region. Townsville is the southern gateway to the World Heritage Area. This region features Paluma, also known as the village in the mist, and Wallaman Falls—Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall.


Learn more about the regions of the Wet Tropics in this short video by Tourism and Events Queensland:


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