North Queensland Holidays


Starting from the sugar fields of Ingham in the north, this is a large area of Queensland that extends south to the cattle country around Rockhampton at the Tropic of Capricorn. 

The major centre of the region is Townsville, a coastal town servicing the surrounding rural sector. Inland from the coast lies rolling grasslands that are home to large cattle stations that form the backbone of the regional beef industry.

Mackay is the other major North Queensland town. The area inland from Mackay, known as the Bowen Basin, holds some of the largest coal deposits in Australia.

The mining infrastructure boom has seen this city develop rapidly. The inland areas of North Queensland consist of low ranges and sparsely timbered grasslands. Major business activities involve coal mining, beef cattle and crop farming.

Authors Note: If you are passing through Bowen around Dec-Jan, make sure you try a Bowen Special mango!!

North Queensland Holidays - At A Glance

North Queensland includes the famous Whitsunday Islands group and Airlie Beach is the major jumping off  point for reef excursions. It is the home base for most of the sailing and diving operators that take visitors to and from the Barrier Reef. 

The Whitsunday Islands are one of the most popular destinations for North Queensland holidays. This area is a premier holiday destination and home to many of the holiday resorts that are synonymous with the Great Barrier Reef. The region and surrounding areas can be seen in this Whitsindays highlights locality map.

The coastal areas also offer range of mainland holiday resorts, rainforests, scuba diving and snorkelling, cruising and sailing, sport fishing, jet boating, sea kayaking, local wildlife, whale watching in season and top golf courses.

North Queensland Holidays - The Places

Townsville is the major centre of North Queensland and serves as a jumping off point for destinations in the area. It is a centre for reef dive trips, cruising and sailing. Pay a visit to the Barrier Reef Aquarium, Casino, Butterfly World, Omnimax Theatre, Natural History Museum and the Billabong Wildlife Sanctuary. Magnetic Island is only 8km offshore with access via ferry services. The island has bushwalking, wildlife and koala sanctuary.

Charters Towers is a charming, historic town dating from the gold rush days. It is now a major centre for boarding school and the gateway to the northern outback.

Ravenswood is a resurrected ghost town dating from the gold rush days and has a historical museum.

Ayr is one of the north's sugar towns. It's located close to the Burdekin River estuary and is well known to serious fishermen.

Bowen has safe protected beaches and is a favoured stop-over for sailors. It provides a northern access to the Whitsundays and is the original home of the famous "Bowen Special" mangoes. Inspect the store front murals in both Bowen and inland at Collinsville.

Proserpine and Airlie Beach are the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and resorts via Shute Harbour. This is a major centre for all types of sailing, cruising and diving activities. Try one of the sugar mill tours (July through Sept). Visit the Cedar Creek Falls in Conway National Park or try a whale watching cruise (July through September).

Mackay is prosperous centre servicing the surrounding sugar, cattle and coal mining communities. Try a cruise to local Brampton Island, Whitsunday Islands and the outer reef. Visit the Eungella and Cape Hillsborough National Parks and rainforests, a working sugar farm and mill, see rainforest orchids, a fauna sanctuary and historic homestead.


Townsville Introduction
North Queensland Travel & Tourism
Whitsundays Holidays Map
Cairns Car Hire
Cheap motorhome rentals

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