Guides.
Practical tips, itineraries and local know-how for Queensland and Tasmania.
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Wineglass Bay & East Coast
Queensland tropical flavours
- Food and Culture
Far North Queensland is as much about tropical produce as reef days — mangoes, bananas, coffee, and fresh seafood show up everywhere from markets to casual restaurants. Leave one evening free for a proper meal in Cairns or Port Douglas, and pick up fruit from roadside stalls or markets when you are out on day […]
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Kuranda
Great Barrier Reef guide
- Queensland Guides
The Great Barrier Reef is the must-do experience for most Far North Queensland trips. Choose a day trip that matches your comfort level — pontoon-style tours are easier for first-time snorkellers, while smaller boats suit people who want fewer crowds. Book early in your stay so you have a weather backup day. Ask about reef […]
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Launceston & North
Daintree Rainforest guide
- Queensland Guides
The Daintree is one of the oldest tropical rainforests on earth, and it pairs perfectly with a Cairns or Port Douglas base. Expect boardwalks, lookouts, and river cruises rather than long hard hikes unless you seek them out. Combine rainforest time with a coastal stop toward Cape Tribulation if you want the classic rainforest-meets-reef scenery […]
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Port Douglas
Cairns things to do
- Queensland Guides
Use Cairns as a practical hub for reef days, rainforest trips, and easy downtime. The Esplanade lagoon, waterfront walks, and nearby day tours make it simple to mix big adventures with quieter evenings. Prioritise one reef day and one green day inland, then leave a flexible slot for Kuranda, the Tablelands, or just recovering between […]
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Queensland
Port Douglas guide
- Queensland Guides
Port Douglas is a smaller coastal base with a polished holiday feel and strong access to both the reef and Daintree. It suits travellers who want beaches, palm-lined streets, and shorter hops into rainforest country. Stay here if you prefer a village atmosphere over Cairns city energy, then day-trip out for reef, Mossman Gorge, or […]
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Tasman Peninsula
Snorkelling guide
- Queensland Guides
Snorkelling the reef is approachable even if you are new to it — most tours provide gear, briefings, and flotation options. Pick calm-water days where you can, and say if you want extra support in the water. If you already snorkel confidently, look for trips with multiple sites or less crowded boats. Either way, reef-safe […]
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Tasmania
Reef helicopter guide
- Queensland Guides
A reef helicopter flight is the fastest way to grasp the scale of the Great Barrier Reef from above. Short scenic flights work well as an add-on to a land-based holiday when you want a big visual payoff. Morning flights often have clearer conditions. Pair it with a boat day if you want both the […]
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Wineglass Bay & East Coast
Best time to visit Tasmania
- Tasmania Guides
Summer and early autumn are the most popular windows for Tasmania — longer days, milder walking weather, and easier coastal travel. Shoulder seasons can still be excellent with fewer crowds if you pack layers. Winter is quieter and great for cosy food-and-drink trips, but alpine areas and some walks are more weather-dependent. Build flexibility into […]
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Atherton Tablelands
Wineglass Bay guide
- Tasmania Guides
Wineglass Bay is the signature Freycinet moment: white sand, granite peaks, and that classic curved shoreline. Most visitors hike to the lookout, and fitter walkers continue down to the beach. Go early for parking and quieter tracks in peak season. Combine it with a night near Coles Bay so you are not rushing the east […]
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Bruny Island
Cradle Mountain guide
- Tasmania Guides
Cradle Mountain delivers Tasmania alpine postcard views, boardwalks through buttongrass, and wildlife spotting around Dove Lake. Weather changes fast, so carry layers even on clear mornings. One full day covers the main lookouts for many visitors; overnight nearby if you want a slower start and a second short walk.
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Cairns City
Hobart things to do
- Tasmania Guides
Hobart is compact and walkable: Salamanca Place, the waterfront, and kunanyi / Mount Wellington for the view. Add MONA if contemporary art is on your list, and leave room for markets and nearby day trips. Use the city as a hub for Bruny Island, the Tasman Peninsula, or a Freycinet overnight rather than trying to […]
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Cooktown Tours
Bruny Island guide
- Tasmania Guides
Bruny Island is an easy escape from Hobart — ferry across, then coastal lookouts, short walks, and a famous food trail. It works as a long day trip or a quieter overnight. Start early for the ferry and food stops, and keep an eye on return times in peak season. Pair tasting with at least […]
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