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Cairns & the

Why Go? ...... 250 Tropical, touristy Cairns is an unmissable stop on any East Cairns’ Northern Coast traveller’s itinerary. Experienced divers and first-time Beaches...... 261 toe-dippers swarm to the steamy city for its easy access to the , while those more interested in sub- Islands off Cairns...... 263 merging themselves in boozy good times are well-served by .....264 a barrage of bars and clubs. For day-trippers, the Atherton ...... 269 Tableland – home to cooler climes, volcanic-crater lakes, Mossman...... 274 jungly waterfalls and gourmet food producers – is just a The Daintree...... 275 short and scenic drive away. The winding road from Cairns to ritzy Port Douglas offers Cape Tribulation...... 276 spectacular coastal vistas, but it’s north of the Cooktown...... 280 that the adventure really begins. The magnificent Daintree ...... 282 National Park stretches up the coast, with rainforest tum- bling right onto white-sand beaches; don’t be so awestruck by the stunning surrounds that you forget to keep an eye out for crocs! Further up, the from Cape Tribu- Best Places to lation to Cooktown is one of ’s great 4WD journeys. Eat ¨¨Ochre (p257) ¨¨Lillypad (p257) When to Go ¨¨Flames of the Cairns (p273) °C/°F Temp Rainfall inches/mm 40/104 20/500 ¨¨Sassi Cucina e Bar (p273) 16/400 ¨¨Mocka’s Pies (p273) 30/86 12/300 20/68 8/200 Best Places to 10/50 4/100 Stay 0/32 0 J F DNOSAJJMAM ¨¨Tropic Days (p256) ¨¨Pink Flamingo (p272) May Port Douglas June A costumed November The ¨¨QT Resort (p272) turns on the re-enactment of reef’s annual pizazz for Cook’s landing is coral spawning ¨¨Mungumby Lodge (p280) Carnivale. the centrepiece of is a delight for ¨¨Cape Trib Exotic Fruit Farm the Cooktown Dis- divers. Cabins (p279) covery Festival.

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Cairns & the Daintree 248