Tropical North Queensland
From uninhabited, secluded tropical places
to luxurious island resorts, perfect for that exotic vacation

Each of North Queensland's islands is a gem in the Great Barrier Reef. Most of the islands are national parks with walking trails and abundant wildlife. Accommodation ranges from exclusive five-star hideaways frequented by Hollywood's A-list to inviting friendly resorts and comfortable backpacker lodges where there's always time to party. Imagine - crystal clear waters warmed by the tropical sun, secluded sand cays and lush, tropical places where luxury and nature go hand in hand.

Fortunately, Tropical North Queensland offers the best access to the Great Barrier Reef and a large portion of this natural wonder can be found only a short distance offshore from Cairns, Port Douglas, Mission Beach, Cape Tribulation and Cooktown. There's a number of cruise and reef operators that offer a variety of trips to the islands and outer reef with lunch and snorkelling provided. With an abundance of marine life just below the surface, snorkelling is a popular reef activity and if you can swim you can snorkel. You can also take a scenic flight in a plane or helicopter.

All reef operators have snorkelling gear and some companies offer guided snorkelling tours. Coral sand cays are great for snorkellers. Both snorkellers and non-swimmers enjoy visiting the outer reef pontoons - large permanent platforms with shaded areas, underwater viewing windows, semi-subversible vessels and glass bootom boats. The two storey platform offers easy access to the water for snorkellers, a moon pool for divers, an underwater observatory, fresh water showers and room to relax. Many reef operators offer introductory scuba dives for beginners. You don't need to have any diving experience - just a clean bill of health - and within minutes you can be 10 metres underwater with an instructor beside you showing you some of the wonders of the reef.  If an introductory dive whets your appetite for more, then why not enrol in a dive course. The Great Barrier Reef is the ideal training ground and a dive course usually consists of two days in the classroom, then two to three days on the reef. Certified divers can also upgrade their qualifications. Divers will be rewarded with frequent sightings of reef sharks, blue-spotted rays, giant clams, cuttlefish, sea stars, turtles and plenty of variety of fish adding to the interesting diversity.

Non swimmers can get close up and personal with the marine life in a glass bottom boat or semi-submersible vessel.

Have a look at some of the world's best tropical places:

1. Bedarra Island for pampered luxury
   
   Seeking pampered luxury ? Bedarra Island is one of the best tropical places to spend that exotic vacation. One of the best of Australia's tropical places.
2. Dunk Island one of the best honeymoon places
   
   Uncrowded and unspoilt - that's Dunk Island. It offers pure relaxation for that exotic vacation and is one of the romantic places on the Great Barrier Reef. One of the best honeymoon places.
3. Green Island, a tropical island vacation paradise
   
   The activities of this adventure playground are plentiful. Green Island is one of Australia's premier tropical places and is perfect for that exotic tropical island vacation.
4. Hinchinbrook Island, one of the best wilderness exotic islands
   
   Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge located on one of the best of the exotic islands offers luxurious isolation on your exotic vacation.
5. Lizard Island, one of the best tropical places
   
   A work of nature's art is Lizard Island. One of the romantic places and best honeymoon places. The resort- sophisticated, luxurious and beautiful -to be considered for your exotic vacation.
6. Orpheus Island | top honeymoon destination
   
   Orpheus Island - exclusive retreat for the discerning traveller on an exotic vacation. One of the romantic places and certainly one of the best honeymoon places. It's a top honeymoon destination.

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Uninhabited, secluded islands to luxurious island resorts, perfect for that exotic vacation