As a Melburnian, winter is undeniably a tough time. Not only do the temperatures harshly plummet and the sun sets cruelly early, but every year the annual mass exodus of your mates occurs as the cold settles in. During the cooler months, the pull of Europe’s Spritz-filled summer is incredibly strong, and many people just can’t resist escaping overseas to avoid the chill.
As the cold weather loomed this year, unlike many of my pals, I had no sunny Euro trip planned. But I was determined to come up with an alternative getaway destination to help avoid full-blown winter blues. Even just a short break from the cold could make a big difference.
Like most Aussies, I love an overseas trip, but recently I’d been thinking I wanted to experience more of Australia and all the fantastic places that are essentially on my doorstep. All I wanted was somewhere that would be a sure-fire place for sunshine, with a laid-back vibe that would allow me to truly relax. I landed on visiting northern Queensland – a tropical holiday was just what I craved.
Many people may not consider Cairns as being high on the list of desirable Aussie destinations, but it’s actually got a lot going for it. For one, it’s so close to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef. Plus, it’s surrounded by stunning national parks and island oases. While Australia’s east coast has many amazing holiday spots, for a mid-winter getaway, Tropical North Queensland was definitely the best place to go for guaranteed warmth.
So I booked a week-long trip in mid-July, strategically timed to coincide with the depths of winter. What followed was a truly blissful holiday filled with sunbaking, snorkelling and a new appreciation for a place that I can’t believe I haven’t used as a winter escape before.
Cairns’ location makes it the ideal base for so many adventure activities, which I made the most of by starting my trip by doing a thrilling skydive, because why not? I also had the most delicious sugar cane juice and papaya salad at Rusty’s Market, which was practically overflowing with a huge variety of fresh fruit and Southeast Asian bites.
The one thing I wanted the most out of my trip was hot weather, and I got it. It was a perfect combo of sunny blue skies and high 20s temperatures almost the whole time. I was seeking out sandy shores to sunbake on, so I headed north of Cairns.
Dotted along the coastline are plenty of sweet beaches just a short drive away, like Palm Cove, Trinity Beach, and of course, Port Douglas. One of the best parts about visiting Tropical North Queensland in winter is that these beautiful beaches weren’t even slightly crowded, which made for ultimate relaxation. And don’t worry, they’re perfectly safe to swim at, not a croc in sight.
Of course, a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef is a must. You can go on a boat tour from Cairns or Port Douglas; we ended up doing the latter. Snorkelling on the Agincourt Reef was so incredible, I was baffled as to why I hadn’t done this before. Or at least, since I was a kid and my parents took me on the customary Queensland family holiday. The reef was vibrant, I saw so many stunning tropical fish, masses of ancient coral and even swam metres away from a huge sea turtle. I couldn’t believe how much marine life there was to see; it far surpassed my expectations! It was such a fun day trip – I did the Silversonic tour with Quicksilver Group, which included plenty of food, and the crew were super friendly.
It’s not just coastal fun to be had in TNQ; there’s so much to experience inland too. Right next to Port Douglas is the huge Daintree Rainforest, which is more than 135 million years old, making it one of the oldest rainforests worldwide. This world heritage-listed area is filled with walking tracks, wildlife (including the infamous cassowaries) and lush tropical vegetation. I visited Mossman Gorge and did a guided Dreamtime walk, which was a beautiful way to experience the area, with my Indigenous guide generously sharing his connection to the forest and how the Traditional Owners live in harmony with the land. It was an extra treat to get to swim in the gorge’s crystal clear, refreshing waters after.
By the time my week-long getaway was over, I only wished I’d planned to stay for longer, to experience more of the wonders of Tropical North Queensland. The sunshine certainly helped to cure my winter woes, but it was the breathtaking nature and laid-back lifestyle that made my trip even more special. While a Euro summer never goes astray, consider me committed to many more Queensland getaways to escape winters for years to come.