The ultimate holiday guide to Cairns and tropical far north Queensland

Oaks Cairns Hotel: Oaks Cairns Hotel is right in the heart of the city and offers rooftop dining and a bar overlooking the iconic Cairns lagoon, a popular family swimming spot. The rooms are spacious and modern and the hotel's location on the Esplanade means you're within walking distance to the skate park, shaded paths and parklands, as well as the Cairns Night Market, shopping centre and restaurants. And if you fancy visiting the Great Barrier Reef - a must when you're so close - you're right near the Reef Fleet terminal where boat tours leave. From $239 per room, per night. oakshotels.com

Cairns Colonial Club Resort: This could be the ultimate family-friendly stay in Cairns that's also affordable and has a whole raft of activities for the kids. They will love the on-site nine-hole putt-putt golf, go-karts, playground and three lagoon-style swimming pools, while parents will enjoy the poolside bar and dining, and the lush 4.5 hectares of tropical rainforest gardens surrounding the hotel. You can completely switch off here and embrace the serenity. There are family rooms available and the on-site parking is free. From $124 per room, per night. cairnscolonialclub.com.au

Crystalbrook Riley: Crystalbrook Riley was the first of a series of Crystalbrook hotels embracing "responsible luxury" up and down the east coast. The rooms in the five-star hotel are chic yet plush and there's an on-site spa where you can enjoy some pampering before heading upstairs for cocktails on the rooftop. Share a Middle Eastern-style spread at Rocco or sip on a pina colada at Calypso Club, a rum and seafood bar. The Cairns art gallery, museum and Cairns Central shopping centre are within walking distance. From $266 per room, per night. crystalbrookcollection.com

Wharf One Cairns: This family-friendly (and pet friendly, should they be travelling with you) cafe is right on the water with views of the inlet and passing boats. The menu offers all the breakfast favourites like eggs benedict and a granola bowl with organic yoghurt, as well as all-day meals and lunch options like fish and chips and a Japanese fried chicken burger. There's also a children's food and drink menu to keep the little ones happy. The cafe makes the most of its waterside location and was built from upcycled timber from the old wharf buildings. wharfonecafe.com.au

Hemingway's Brewery Cairns Wharf: Based in a heritage-listed venue at the Cruise Liner Terminal, this is a great place to have a beer and a meal overlooking the water. The independent brewery was started-up by a pair of mates and you can get a beer paddle with five beers to try, as well as classic nosh including tacos, burgers and pizza while enjoying the view. hemingwaysbrewery.com

Salt House Cairns: Waterfront dining is the way to go in Cairns and Salt House's menu is centred around its custom-built Argentinian wood-fired grill, with a focus on local produce. Try the hot and cold seafood deluxe board for something truly special. They have a well-stocked wine room and indoor and outdoor seating options, as well as a bar and a pizzeria that also serves tapas. salthouse.com.au

Walk: Ten minutes' drive from the Cairns CBD, Mount Whitfield has four rainforest walks that are popular with locals. Try the steep Red Arrow circuit, utilised as a lookout access point during World War II. There are 250 stairs on either side and if that doesn't get the blood pumping, more experienced bushwalkers can take the six-kilometre return Blue Arrow. Watch out for wildlife, including brush turkeys, monitor lizards and echidnas. tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au

Shop: Rusty's Market is one of the largest markets in Australia and is known for its exotic fruits, sumptuous delicatessens, flowers and seafood, as well as clothes, jewellery and knick-knacks. The market is open Fridays to Sundays and you can have lunch in one of the communal seating areas - there are various food stalls and vendors - or buy your picnic stash and take it to the Esplanade, less than 10 minutes' walk away. rustysmarkets.com.au

Swim: You're going to want to swim in the tropical north Queensland heat and Cairns Lagoon is a safe way to do so. The 4800-square-metre saltwater swimming area has a lifeguard on duty, and it's the perfect spot for the whole family to take a dip and play in the sand. Entry to the lagoon is free and there are barbecue facilities, suitable for an early outdoors dinner. cairns.qld.gov.au/experience-cairns

The tropical magic does not stop in Cairns. Head north or south and you'll find rainforest areas to write home about, with some extraordinary places to stay. Here are our top three picks.

The Elandra Resort Mission Beach: This adults-only retreat reopened in December 2023 following a multimillion-dollar refurb. Hidden among six hectares of private tropical rainforest, the Elandra delivers relaxation, intimacy and extravagance. If you're taking the under two-hour drive south from Cairns, you're in for a treat, as you'll pass cane fields waving in the wind. theelandra.com.au

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Thala Beach Nature Reserve: The owners of this resort were some of the first to spearhead eco-tourism and you can stay in a lodge in a rainforest tree. It was named among National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World in 2018 and has achieved the highest eco-certification through sustainable practices and environmental sensitivity. The nature reserve has its very own secluded beach access to Oak Beach and is an hour north of Cairns. thalabeach.com.au

Silky Oaks Lodge: This luxury eco lodge sits on the Mossman River, an hour-and-a-half north of Cairns in the Daintree Forest. Stay in a super-spacious lodge and enjoy generous inclusions such as breakfast, dinner with matched wines, sunset drinks and snacks, in-suite bar, morning yoga, and more. silkyoakslodge.com.au