Wednesday 11 June 2014

Spotlight On - Tropical North Queensland

 
I've been absent for a while now but the time away has not been wasted. I have so many new projects to share, but first... I recently spent a week in the beautiful Tropical North Queensland, Australia and can not say enough great thing about the region!
 
If you like clean and beautiful beaches with rows of palm trees and a lush green backdrop where it feels like summer all year round then this is the place to come.

 
 Clifton Beach 
 
We flew into Cairns and decided to hire cars for the week - best decision, we had so much freedom to explore and also allowed us to stay "where the locals live" and not in amongst the busy tourist spots. We hired a house through Stayz in Clifton Beach which is about a 25 minute drive North of Cairns, 45 minutes South of Port Douglas and a 5-10 minute beach walk from the popular beachside tourist town of Palm Cove.  
 
 
Being somewhere in the middle of Cairns and Port Douglas gave us the best of both worlds with so many tour operator based out of each and so much to see and do in between. The first attraction that comes to mind is of course the Great Barrier Reef. Its a must see and you are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to tour operators.
 
Great Barrier Reef
 
 
Other must see attractions include the Port Douglas Markets which are on every Saturday (great place support local artists/creators and pick up some souvenirs direct from the makers!! Think clothes, art, jewellery, homewares), the Daintree Rainforest, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures and Kurunda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Cairns.
 
 
Mossman Gorge
 
For idyllic freshwater swimming holes visit Mossman Gorge or Crystal Cascades and for a great scenic drive cross the ferry and head as far North as you can go before you hit the dirt tracks up at Cape Tribulation.
 
 
 
 Lastly, I have to say I truly fell in love with the house we stayed in. Laid back, airy, beachy and it had the loveliest tropical garden and pool. I have definitely come home with the inspiration and motivation I need to get stuck into my garden!
 
which is where I'm off to now x