Atherton
Average summer day temperature: 29.0°C
Average winter day temperature: 22.1°C
Average annual rainfall: 1413.4mm
The town of Atherton is situated on the Atherton Tableland. It services an area of rich agricultural lands that produce peanuts, maize, tropical and exotic fruit, dairy and beef cattle, redclaw and sugar cane.
The Tableland area is less humid and lower in temperature than the coastal plain below, and includes World Heritage listed rainforests, national parks, mountains, rivers, lakes and waterfalls. Places of interestin the Atherton area: Millstream Falls,Lake Barrine,Lake Eacham, the ancient Bromfield Swamp, and the Hypipamee National Park.
Atherton Tableland
Average summer day temperature: 29.0°C
Average winter day temperature: 22.1°C
Average annual rainfall: 1413.4mm
Forming part of the Great Dividing Range, the Atherton Tableland is a plateau region lying west of the Bellenden Kerr Range, inland from Cairns and Innisfail. Elevation varies between 600 and 900 metres above sea level. The area boasts numerous extinct volcanic cones, some now occupied by crater lakes such as Lakes Eacham and Barrine.
Although in the tropics, the high altitude ensures that temperatures are mild throughout the year. Combine this with the breath-taking scenic beauty of the area, and you'll know why it is a major tourist attraction.
Bamaga
Bamaga is 40km from the very tip of Cape York. It is the top of Australia - and boasts some of Australia's most pristine and spectacular beaches.
It is an islander community (one of two, the other is Seisia) which is on the lands of the Injinoo peoples who own and operate Pajinka Wilderness Lodge at the tip of Cape York. The three Aboriginal communities at the top of the Peninsula (Northern Peninsula Area) are Injinoo, New Mapoon and Umagico.
Cairns
Average summer day temperature: 31.8°C
Average winter day temperature: 25.6°C
Average annual rainfall: 2222.9mm
Queensland's most northern city, Cairns is 1,856km north of Brisbane. It is situated on the western shore of Trinity Bay and was originally established in 1875 on a swampy mangrove area to serve as the outlet for the Hodgkinson gold mines, and later for the Herbertson tin fields.
Today Cairns is a major commercial centre, with a productive sugar industry, as well as business and port activities, and tourism. Opportunities abound for those interested in all water sports - deep sea fishing, diving, reef snorkelling, coral islands and attols and much more - after all, it is one of the premier gateways to Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
Cape York
The northern most point of mainland Australia and only about 150km from Papua New Guinea, Cape York is at the tip of the peninsula extending north from Cairns.
Much of Cape YOrk is inhospitable country, rugged and largely uninhabitted. Weipa, on the north west shore, is an important bauxite mining and export centre. The eastern side of Cape York consists of a series of rocky headlands and smoothly curved bays, with longer beaches where major rivers enter the sea. The west coast lacks the solid rock outcrops and consists of long, gently curving beaches backed by parallel sand ridges.
Cardwell
Average summer day temperature: 31.6°C
Average winter day temperature: 24.9°C
Average annual rainfall: 2130.7mm
Average clear days: 125.8
Cardwell is a scenic village on the coast of northern Queensland. It is located on the Bruce Highway and it is easily accessible from the international and domestic air terminals at Cairns and Townsville.
Coen
Average summer day temperature: 31.6°C
Average winter day temperature: 27.5°C
Average annual rainfall: 1173.8mm
Average clear days: 51.9
Coen is a small town located approximately 576 km north of Cairns. It is the last place north for receiving mechanical repairs, petrol or supplies, apart from Weipa. Just north of Coen the only habitation is a few telegraph stations - the road generally following the telegraph line.
Each August picnic races are held at the Coen racecourse.
Cooktown
Average summer day temperature: 34.4°C
Average winter day temperature: 25.6°C
Average annual rainfall: 1809.7mm
Average clear days: 62.7
For a short time Cooktown was the first white settlement in Australia. A stone monolith called Cook's Pillar on the banks of the Endeavour, marks the spot where Cook beached his stricken ship in 1770. The crew erected a tent village with repairs taking 48 days. Grassy Hill was Cooks survey mark. Stone buildings in the area date nearly a century with many still standing in the town. There are many interesting remnants of the past still remaining in this relaxing area with old buildings, an historical James Cook museum and an 1880's convent situated in the Joseph Banks Gardens, named after the Endeavours famous Botanist who combed the area's flora whilst the ship was in for repairs. Worth a look
Natures Powerhouse is an interpretive centre which holds the Vera Scarth-Johnson collection of watercolours of the botanical specimens of Banks and Solander (from Cook's Endeavour) and also a reptile display is situated in the histroic Cooktown Botanical Gardens.
The James Cook Historical Museum has recently been refurbished and is a must-see in Cooktown.
Croydon
Average summer day temperature: 35.6°C
Average winter day temperature: 29.2°C
Average annual rainfall: 732.3mm
Average clear days: 198.7
Croydon was once a bustling gold mining centre, but today it is a quite, sedate town located in the bushland of the Gulf of Carpentaria. It contains many historical sites for the visitor to explore.
Croydon's historic buildings are a delight to explore
Herberton
Average summer day temperature: 28.0°C
Average winter day temperature: 21.4°C
Average annual rainfall: 1146.8mm
Average clear days: 83.6
Situated 150-km southwest of Cairns, Herberton is a pretty town set in the rolling hills of the Atherton Tablelands. There are only hints that it was once the most important mining town on the Tablelands. A Tin festival is held each year in September.
Herberton Historical Village and Museum, and The Crater National Park, are of interst to visitors to the area.
Innisfail
Average summer day temperature: 30.8°C
Average winter day temperature: 24.1°C
Average annual rainfall: 3580.0mm
Average clear days: 75.9
Located just 87km south of Cairns, the economy of Innisfail is based on sugar cane production. However there are some beautiful national parks in the region that feature dense rainforest areas.
Low Isles
Average summer day temperature: 32.2°C
Average winter day temperature: 25.6°C
Average annual rainfall: 2093.0mm
Average clear days: 73.1
The Low Isles is a coral cay located off the coast in Far North Queenland. It is accessible from the town of Port Douglas, which is a 45 minutes drive north of Cairns
The amazing marine life which inhabit the waters surrounding the cay can be experienced while diving and snorkeling, or from a glass bottom boat. White sandy beaches surrounded by coconut palms; make the Low Isles an idyllic tropical paradise
Malanda
Malanda Falls, Dairy Farming, Historic Sites , Bush Walks ,
Camping Grounds, Backpackers Hostel, World Heritage Rainforest, Scenic Tours, Lake Eacham.
Mareeba
Average summer day temperature: 31.2°C
Average winter day temperature: 25.4°C
Average annual rainfall: 922.7mm
Average clear days: 61.8
Mareeba is a tobacco and sugar cane growing area situated on the Atherton Tableland west of Cairns.
Mossman
Situated just above Port Douglas, mountains, the centre of the Far North's sugar industry. Spectacular wet tropical rainforest, close to Queenland's beautiful tablelands. Just five minutes drive is Mossman Gorge which features cool freshwater swimming holes and exciting walking tracks. Mt Demi and the Good Shepherd, an unusual rock formation.
A young singer from Mossman by the name of Kylie Sackley, has taken the music industry of Australia by storm. She won the title of Queensland Country Music Champion of Champions in 1999, while she was still only 17 years old. As soon as Kylie was old enough, she entered the prestigious 2001 Toyota Starmaker quest and won. It is well recognised that Kylie Sackley is one of Australias stars of the future.
Rosie Adsett, now working for the Year of the Outback 2002 Ltd, is the daughter of Ian Blain & the grandaughter of Jack Blain who lived in Mossman during the last century.
Port Douglas
Average summer day temperature: 30.3°C
Average winter day temperature: 24.6°C
Average annual rainfall: 2009.2mm
Average clear days: 80.2
One of Far North Queeensland's tourism capitals, easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, sandy golden beaches and beatiful scenic rainforest. Superb vantage points offering
magnificent views of the coastline and sparkling sea. Once just an old goldfields port and fishing village. Port Douglas is a popular tourist attraction but the town has still managed to keep its laid-back lifestyle.
The Rainforest Habitat, Four Mile Beach (One of Port Douglas's most popular attractions), Flag Staff Hill Lookout, Shipwreck Museum, Historical Walk, Marina Mirage, Macrossan St. Shopping, Old Port Douglas Court House, St. Mary's By The Sea, Low Isles, Mirage Country Club, Sunday Markets, Paddle Wheeler Cruise, Bally Hooley Steam Train.
Thursday Island
Average summer day temperature: 30.8°C
Average winter day temperature: 28.3°C
Average annual rainfall: 1716.5mm
Average clear days: 41.8
Located in the Torres Strait at the North of Cape York. Toruism is a main part of the economy, with provision for tourists to explore the region.
Torres
Comprised of several islands and portions of Cape York Peninsula,including:Albany Island, Horn Island, Possession Island, Dayman Island, Little Adolphus Island, Prince of Wales Island,Entrance Island, Mount Adolphus Island, Thursday Island,
Friday Island, Packe Island, Turtlehead Island,Goods Island, Port Lihou Island, Wednesday Island.
Local events: Torres Strait Cultural Festival, Torres Strait Music Festival,Island of Origin Rugby League Football Carnival,
Torres Strait Cup Football Competition,1st July Celebration (commemorating when the Gospel was first introduced to the Torres Strait Islands0, Catholic Church Fete, Church Day celebrations, NAIDOC Week, Mabo Day - 3 June
Torres Strait Islands
Average summer day temperature: 30.8°C
Average winter day temperature: 28.3°C
Average annual rainfall: 1716.5mm
Average clear days: 41.8
The Torres Strait Historical Society maintains a museum at Green Hill Fort site on Thursday Island.
Horn Island has a War Museum and a Railway Historical Society.
Weipa
Average summer day temperature: 32.0°C
Average winter day temperature: 30.5°C
Average annual rainfall: 1767.8mm
Average clear days: 40.2
Average daily sunshine hours: 7.3
Modern mining town, the world's richest bauxite deposit, originaly devoloped by Comalco for its mining
personel. Comalco operates tours of the mining operations.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS& Services:
Mine Tours, Golf Club, Travel Centre, Gym/Sporting Facilities,
Weipa River Safaris. A motel and a campsite. Surrounding roads are bad but direct flights from Weipa to Cairns. Across Albatross Bay are the low cliffs of Duyfken Point named for the vessel of Willem Jansz, who in 1601 made the first landing by white men further up coast.
The Weipa and Western Cape Visitors Centre opens in June 2002.
