A Guide to Tropical North Queensland Photography Experiences

Travel in Queensland – The Tropical North

Rainforest to Reef – Experience the pure great thing about Queensland, Australia with this information to essentially the most photogenic outside experiences you may have from the Atherton Tablelands to Cape Tribulation.

Growing up in Australia, there was this one kids’s e book I keep in mind being obsessive about referred to as ‘Where the Forest Meets the Sea’ by Jeannie Baker. It described every little thing goals as a bit future explorer have been manufactured from with tangled trunks of large rainforest timber hiding Dinosaur shadows in a land the place the luxurious inexperienced landscapes met clear blue seas. It was like Where’s Wally for nature lovers, and 8yr previous me was hooked.

Well, now that I’m a journey obsessed grownup, I’ve lastly visited the precise place this e book spoke of all these years in the past…Tropical North Queensland.

Spoilt with year-round heat, wealthy vibrant vistas and pure wonders, this a part of Australia is a photographer’s haven for all issues outdoorsy and delightful. From the waterfalls to the reef, there’s so many locations to go to to get amongst nature whether or not you’re mountaineering, swimming or flying excessive over the surroundings.

To sum up the areas pictures choices, I’ve put collectively a bit information under to what I imagine are the ten most photogenic experiences you may have from the Atherton Tablelands to Cape Tribulation.

Firstly, a map that highlights a complete bunch of pictures places and scenic spots! Most of the places famous are talked about within the content material under, others are nice lookouts and locations to go to in the event you’ve acquired some additional time.

#1 Chasing Waterfalls on the Atherton Tablelands

Where mountain ranges meet majestic waterfalls and rolling hills, the Atherton Tablelands are a lovely shock hidden only a 90min drive from Cairns. Here you may wander on quite a few mountaineering trails to expertise the misty magic of some severely stunning scenes.

TLC completely mentioned don’t go chasing waterfalls (hey 90’s reference!) however it’s fairly apparent they simply by no means got here to this a part of the world. Waterfalls are EVERYWHERE and chasing them makes for one very photogenic day within the outside.

The Atherton Tablelands are residence to a bunch of waterfalls, some tremendous fashionable and others a bit additional away from the parking zone. This solely implies that in the event you’re eager for a bit rainforest hike, it’s possible you’ll end up having some attractive falls all to your self!

There’s a well-liked waterfall route that coves three beautiful falls alongside Teresa Creek Road. Follow this street to go to Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls, all are nicely price a while to stare in amazement as they cascade amongst tropical surrounds.

Further down alongside the Palmerston Highway you’ll go Mungalli Falls, Nandroya Falls (which requires a 40min hike) however this journey we opted for a observe that covers two falls. With a small mountaineering path jutting off into the rainforest beside the freeway, there’s a small space to tug over and park earlier than exploring the Wallicher and Tchupala Falls.

Below are some pictures so you may take your decide at which of them to go to, or get impressed and go to all of them!

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#2 Hot Air Balloon flight at Sunrise

Few issues beat the sensation of floating gently throughout the sky because the solar rises producing pastel colors so far as the attention can see. It’s an expertise I like to recommend everybody does not less than as soon as of their lifetime and as soon as that you are able to do proper right here in Mareeba, simply west of Cairns. This area is among the finest components of Australia to

Setting off earlier than dawn, we flew with Hot Air Balloon Cairns and have been whisked away to a discipline to look at because the balloons have been crammed up. An expertise in itself, the sound because the balloons are crammed is so unimaginable after which the adrenaline begins pumping when you leap into the basket and await raise off.

*For these studying who’re afraid of flying or something quick paced, this expertise is so calm and delicate that you just barely even realise you’re within the air!

Once the balloon gathers some top you watch because the landscapes change beneath you, travelling over rainforest, paddocks, mango timber and gum tree fringed creeks. If you’re fortunate you’ll even spot the odd kangaroo.

The pictures alternatives are countless up within the sky. From take off to touchdown there’s at all times one thing to seize in all instructions so you’ll want to search for, down, left and proper all the flight. I’d suggest having a flexible zoom lens with you so there’s no have to waste time altering lenses. Also you’re unable to carry any baggage with you so having one digicam with a helpful lens connected will hold you snap completely happy!

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#3 Photograph Turtles on the Great Barrier Reef

If there’s one factor everybody’s hoping to see once they go snorkelling it’s turtles. Right!? These little guys are so pleasant and welcoming that it looks like they’re your private tour guides as they cruise round their coral gardens utterly unfazed by their movie star standing.

Turtles might be discovered all alongside the two,300km of Great Barrier Reef, however on this journey we photographed turtles on Mackay Reef, a brief 90 minute sail from Cape Tribulation.

When snorkelling hold a watch out for any transferring coral, typically they mix in so nicely that the one method you’ll discover they’re shut by is to look at their little shells transfer as they’re nibbling on dinner. I wrote about our expertise of photographing turtles alongside some underwater pictures suggestions in my earlier article so be happy to have a peek at ‘The Great Barrier Reef – Above and Below’.

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#4 Explore the luxurious landscapes of the Daintree Rainforest

Crossing the Daintree River by ferry it feels a bit such as you’re getting into the Lost World or Jurassic Park. Jungle-like rainforest disappears into the space for so far as the attention can see, seeming like an journey paradise the place something is feasible.

Once you’re throughout the river, an ideal first cease is the Daintree Discovery Centre, the place you may climb a 25m excessive staircase and see throughout the rainforest cover or wander alongside trails and study concerning the numerous wildlife that decision the Daintree Home. Also, for these actually eager to get their Jurassic feels, there are transferring dinosaurs right here too!

Further up the street an ideal place for lunch and a photograph cease is the Daintree Heritage Lodge. Nestled amongst the rainforest, the lodge sits above a crystal-clear billabong the place you may take a dip in contemporary water with the greenery throughout you. It’s severely stunning right here so enable for not less than two hours to soak all of it in.

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#5 Capture Cape Tribulation in Morning Light

With the solar rising over the Coral Sea, heading all the way down to Myall Beach in Cape Tribulation is an effective way to {photograph} the place the rainforest meets the reef. Walking on a boardwalk by mangroves, you’ll arrive to an open seashore stretching for roughly 2km.

If you’re on the lookout for an ideal topic to make use of in your images, I extremely suggest strolling about 100m south alongside the seashore from the place the Dubuji Boardwalk arrives. Here you’ll discover the right palm tree, actually, it will probably’t actually get extra image good than this palm that droops over the sand with the solar rising immediately behind.

Just a few hundred metres to the north of Cape Tribulation there’s one other seashore (positioned on the other aspect of the cape) which works nicely for sundown. While you don’t get direct views of the solar dipping under the horizon, the encompassing mountains present a lovely panorama to seize with the ocean and sand patterns providing nice foreground topics.

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#6 Sail the Coral Sea to Sandy Cays

A day on the ocean is a day nicely spent so far as I’m involved. Setting off from Cape Tribulation, you may leap on board a luxurious catamaran with Sailaway Port Douglas (additionally working journeys from Port Douglas) and head east for a day of snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.

Depending on the climate, the boat will go to any variety of reef techniques or cays and in the event you’re fortunate, you’ll have the ability to step foot on Mackay Cay. This attractive sandy strip in the midst of the ocean seems like a pancake and is surrounded by essentially the most vibrant colored water!

Seabirds wish to name the cay residence so that you’ll little doubt come throughout some birds to {photograph} but in addition be sure you take a water-proof digicam with you in the event you can to get essentially the most out of a chance to take split-level pictures.

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#7 Road Trip alongside the Captain Cook Highway

Between Port Douglas and Palm Cove, the Captain Cook Highway winds alongside the Coral Sea providing epic coastal surroundings and oodles of photograph spots. Port Douglas itself is worthy of some reminiscence card house with a quaint resort vibe and common markets.

On the street although, kick issues off with dawn at Pebbly Beach the place you may watch because the solar rises over the ocean and benefit from the various rockpools crammed with clean stones…a panorama photographers dream scene.

Speaking of stones, hold your eyes peeled for what has develop into referred to as The Gatz Balancing Rocks. Hundreds if not hundreds of stone cairns (piles of rocks) have been positioned right here beside the ocean and it’s created such a cool panorama. If waves are crashing towards the rocks it makes for an ideal place to take some lengthy exposures, utilizing the transferring water to distinction towards the gray stones and surrounding lush background.

Further alongside the street you’ll discover a lot of viewpoints the place you may park the automobile and see the coast weave it’s solution to each the north and south. An ideal vantage level is Rex Lookout which appears to be like over Wangetti Beach and Unity Reef!

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#8 Fly in a helicopter over the Islands + Reef

Now that is the place we get into some critical bucket checklist stuff. Taking a helicopter experience is one factor, however pair it with the immense magnificence and overwhelming surroundings of the Great Barrier Reef and you’ve got your self an expertise of a lifetime. We flew with Nautilus Aviation from Cairns Airport and after a fast security chat and weigh in, have been zooming above the town inside minutes!

I’m unsure a lot can put together you for the primary glimpse of the reef. As the water color adjustments from browny blue to an intense turquoise and teal, you gained’t have the ability to put your digicam down! Photographing the Great Barrier Reef from above is one thing that’s exhausting to place into phrases. I’m fairly certain I simply had one phrase in my vocabulary for all the 45mins we have been up within the sky…WOW.

Taking a scenic flight from Cairns a few of the spots you may fly over embrace Green Island, Vlasoff Cay (loopy stunning!), Arlington, Michaelmas and Upolu Reef. Check out my earlier article for extra particulars on this expertise – ‘Great Barrier Reef: Above and Below’.

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#9 Photograph Seascapes and Sunrise on Nudey Beach

Just to make clear first up, there’s no nudey rudeyness occurring on Nudey Beach, it’s naked backside free and someplace that that you must see to imagine.

To go to Nudey Beach you’ll have to take a 45minute ferry from Cairns to Fitzroy Island and from the resort, it’s only a quick 15minute stroll by stunning rainforest earlier than you’ll have that first peek. Boulders line the shores providing a placing distinction between the colorful reef crammed water and the white sandy shores.

If you’ve acquired an underwater digicam, it’s an ideal place to pair some snorkelling with split-levels then you’ll want to go away time for some panorama pictures at both finish of Nudey Beach. The seascapes listed here are so dreamy so you’ll want to run round and climb the boulders to hunt out contemporary vantage factors and compositions.

Those fortunate sufficient to be staying on Fitzroy Island ought to benefit from visiting Nudey Beach at dawn too. While the seashore is positioned on the western aspect of the island and subsequently doesn’t have direct imaginative and prescient of dawn, it does look towards the mountainous skyline round Cairns with the pastel skies producing some very photograph worthy scenes.

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#10 Spend the Night on Fitzroy Island

There’s most likely not a complete lot I would like to put in writing to be able to persuade you {that a} evening on a tropical island is an efficient factor…it’s simply nearly as good because it sounds. Spending the evening on Fitzroy Island means you’ll be there to expertise the island as soon as the day trippers go away on the final ferry at 5pm.

Watch because the solar units over the mountains throughout the channel then take pleasure in cocktails and dinner beneath the palms. The island resort is superbly appointed with luxurious rooms, an enormous pool and watersports centre so you may rent a snorkel and flippers to discover the reef immediately in entrance of the rooms.

If you end up on Fitzroy Island one factor that you must be sure you see is the Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. Located a brief 5minute stroll from the resort, the centre gives a spot for injured or sick turtles to get well and relaxation up earlier than being launch again into the ocean. Turtles on the centre have been discovered with plastic of their stomachs which as a result of their curious nature they’ve mistaken for jellyfish that they like to eat. Take a peek under at some pictures of Jet, who has been a resident on the centre for six months and is kind of the social butterfly!

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Where to Stay in Cairns + Tropical North Queensland

Whether you’re eager to get amongst nature, hold it informal or splurge on some luxurious, there’s so many stunning locations to remain all through the area. Below are a number of locations that I personally stayed and suggest from every of the areas talked about within the experiences above…

Pullman Cairns International, Cairns

Located proper by Chinaman Creek and only a quick stroll from the Esplanade Lagoon, Night Markets and Marina it’s an ideal base in your first or final evening when arriving into Cairns. The resort foyer is such a welcoming sight with large plantation shutters actually offering that tropical feeling. The breakfast is SO price staying for plus most rooms provide nice views over the town and sea. Check availability and reserving particulars right here.

Mt Quincan Crater Retreat, Atherton Tablelands

If you’re seeking to expertise a soothing escape after a day of waterfall chasing, that is THE place. Feel at one with nature and utterly off the grid in these luxurious rainforest lodges, utterly decked out with something and every little thing you possibly can ever want. Each lodge has an enormous spa that appears over the luxurious environment, a hearth place, BBQ and a few pleasant furry guests like possums and tree climbing kangaroos! Oh, and it overlooks a volcanic crater…can it get any cooler!? Check availability and reserving particulars right here.

Ferntree Rainforest Lodge, Cape Tribulation

Tucked inside the lush environment of the Daintree Rainforest, these comfortable cabins and rooms are an ideal base for exploring all that Cape Tribulation has to supply. It’s only a quick stroll to Myall Beach in the event you’re eager to {photograph} dawn or settle in and hearken to the rainforest birds calling the lodge residence. The lodge has an onsite restaurant which is a big bonus as a result of there’s not many choices within the space and it’s scrumptious! Check availability and charges right here.

QT Port Douglas, Port Douglas

This beautiful resort will not be solely stunning inside with fashionable décor and styling matching its tropical location, however exterior with a lagoon pool wrapped in palms providing the right place to take a dip.

Also Port Douglas has an incredible meals scene with eating places lining the principle avenue and overlooking the harbour. I extremely suggest the setting and scrumptious platters at Barbados! They’ve acquired some rattling tremendous Cocktails too!

Fitzroy Island Resort

If you’re going to discover the area, you must deal with your self to an evening on this tropical island. Here you may watch the solar dip behind the mountain vary throughout the ocean, get up to waves lapping the shores of photogenic Nudey Beach, take a rainforest hike and meet the residents of the Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. There’s an outside bar and restaurant so you may sit beneath the palms to take pleasure in dinner, and it’s actually stress-free and quiet, a real little paradise simply 45mins by ferry from Cairns. Check availability and charges right here.

How to Get Around Tropical North Queensland

My advice is to rent a automobile and make the journey a pictures street journey with countless photograph stops. When you fly into Cairns you may rent a automobile immediately from the terminal so you may hit the street and get began on a street journey all through Tropical North Queensland.

There are petrol stations in most small cities all through the area and in the event you’re heading as much as Cape Tribulation you’ll simply have to pay $26 for a return journey throughout the Daintree River…so price it!

Having a automobile will allow to you enterprise out on dawn and sundown photograph missions, to attempt to arrive in places good and early to keep away from any crowds and it means you may cease each time and wherever you want…supplied after all it’s protected to tug over ????

If you’re heading out to both Green or Fitzroy Island, ferries depart from the Reef Fleet Terminal, only a quick stroll from the Cairns Esplanade. There’s loads of parking out there close by with pricing for hourly or multi-day parking. If you’re staying in a single day on the islands, it’s finest to park your automobile within the undercover carpark beneath The Pier constructing.

Photography Tips for the Tropics

• Keep your digicam saved in a constant temperature so that you don’t fall sufferer to the humidity! Before getting into your resort room, put your digicam in a sealed digicam bag and take a look at to not open it an excessive amount of in an air-conditioned room. If your digicam does fog, give it a couple of minutes to regulate to the warmth earlier than turning it on so that you keep away from fogging the sensor too. Read extra tips about coping with your digicam in humidity right here.
• Take a small towel or lens material with you always for humidity, condensation or any undesirable drips from the timber or splashes from the ocean.
• Research the perfect instances for dawn and sundown to make sure you’ve acquired sufficient journey time to reach at your chosen vacation spot.
• Sunrise is your finest probability at gentle rays over the ocean, sundown sometimes falls behind the mountain ranges so that you’ll be handled to vibrant dusky skies as an alternative.
• Keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles when photographing in and round any water our bodies, particularly any mangrove areas within the Daintree!

Have you been to Cairns and Tropical North Queensland and wish to share your pictures or suggestions? Either remark under or use the hashtags #thewanderinglens and #thisisqueensland on Instagram!

For extra details about the area, take a peek on the Tourism Queensland web site which is crammed with actions, experiences and itineraries.

 

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